Dodge Demon vs. Hellcat: Key Differences Explained

Summary

• Dodge’s decision to revive the Challenger with the 2005 Concept was a huge success that was well received by customers.
• The Demon and Hellcat differ in power and performance, with the Demon being specifically designed for drag racing.
• The Demon comes with a range of accessories and was only produced for one year, making it a collectible must-have for enthusiasts.

Reviving the iconic Challenger muscle car in 2005 with the Dodge Challenger Concept was one of the best decisions in automotive history. The concept had a lot of design cues from the original car, and it was well received by the public. The Challenger was an instant hit with its striking design and host of powertrain choices from V-6 to V-8 engines and either manual or automatic transmissions. Dodge did such a great job with the initial design that it has remained the same except for a few visual and powertrain updates.

The Challenger saw one of its biggest updates in 2015 with a facelift and the introduction of the Hellcat version with a supercharged V-8. The biggest Challenger update would come in 2018, with the introduction of the all-powerful Dodge Demon. The Demon also received some visual and a few mechanical changes. We take a look at the Challenger Hellcat and Demon variants and highlight the key differences between both models.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Dodge, Dodge Garage, MOPAR, and the NHRA.

Demon VS Hellcat: Powertrain Differences

The Challenger Hellcat and Demon make use of the same 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 engine. This engine was first introduced in 2015 with the Challenger Hellcat with 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. It was also available in the Charger SRT Hellcat and Jeep Trackhawk with the same power level. Hellcat variants were famous for having two keys that had different functions. A black key limits the car to just 500 horsepower, which is great if you want to lend the car to a friend or family member, and a red key that unleashes the full potential of the vehicle.

The Hellcat also came with a new eight-speed automatic transmission alongside a six-speed manual option, sending power to the rear wheels only. When the Demon came in 2018, it used the same engine but with a bigger 2.7-liter supercharger; the Hellcat used a 2.3-liter supercharger. It now made 840 horsepower and 770 pound-feet of torque when using 100 octane or higher race fuel. On regular fuel, the Demon has 808 horsepower and 717 pound-feet of torque. It was only available with the eight-speed automatic for all-out performance on the drag strip.

Performance Numbers

The Hellcat is one of the most powerful production muscle cars with over 700 horsepower. But to achieve the performance numbers needed, it had to make more power with other mechanical changes. The aim for the Demon was to be the fastest accelerating production car, and that goal was achieved. With 840 horsepower, the Demon was sure to be faster than the Hellcat, but the problem was putting that power on the ground. It was also 232 pounds lighter than the Hellcat with the removal of sound-deadening materials, trunk trim, speakers, and electrical features.

The best quarter mile times can only be achieved on a prepped surface, so Dodge decided to give the Demon some mechanical advantages. These included:

• Factory-installed transbrake System (first in a production car)
• 18-inch Nitto street-legal Drag Radial Tires
• Factory-installed SRT “Power-Chiller” (Reroutes the AC to further cool the engine for optimal temperature)
• Front passenger and rear seat delete (can be added for a dollar)
• Largest functional hood scoop in a production car.

The Demon is now equipped with a transbrake which is a step beyond the regular launch control. When activated, it engages first and reverse gear which allows the car to make full power while staying in one spot. Then once released, it launches the car at full power which is much more violent than launch control. This is popular in drag racing and since the Demon was built for that purpose, it has a transbrake. The transmission and rear axle components have also been beefed up to withstand the mechanical forces.

It also comes with drag radials that are barely street-legal and will only perform well on prepped or warm surfaces. The power chiller keeps the engine temperature normal, with the large hood scoop feeding more air into the engine. Seat deletes are also an option to remove extra unnecessary weight from the car. All of these helped the Demon to achieve the title of the fastest accelerating combustion engine car on the planet. It was faster than any traditional hypercar to the quarter mile and was the first production car to pull a wheelie while doing so.

Visual Differences Between The Dodge Demon And Hellcat

The Demon was the first Challenger to come with the factory widebody to accommodate the wider tires that were fitted to the car. This was the biggest differentiating factor between the Hellcat and the Demon. When both cars are parked side by side, it is quite obvious that the Demon was a wider vehicle than the Hellcat mainly because of the integrated wider fenders.

The next difference was the obvious large hood scoop which is the largest hood scoop in the automotive industry. Also, new five-spoke 18-inch wheels that are exclusive to the Demon and new Demon logos which replace the Hellcat logos. Until the widebody variants of the Hellcat came out later, it was easy to tell when you saw a Dodge Demon. But apart from the wider body, the other subtle changes are still exclusive to the Demon.

Accessories That Come With The Demon

The Demon was made for drag racing and, just like most dedicated race cars, there are some tools/equipment needed for it to run. The Demon Crate was an option that was available from Dodge for just $1, and it came with a lot of tools and equipment that were worth way more than what they were charging. It sounds like Dodge wanted everyone to have these tools and just gave them for free, all you had to do was tick the option.

The tools included:

• A hydraulic floor jack with a carrying bag
• Cordless impact wrench with charger
• A Torque wrench
• Tire-pressure gauge
• A tool bag
• Front-runner drag wheels
• A foam case that fits into the trunk and securely holds the front runners

• A performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration
• Replacement switch module containing high-octane button
• Conical performance air filter

The Demon Crate is customized with your Name, VIN, and serial number accordingly. This means if your crate is lost for any reason, they can easily trace it back to your car with the personalized details. For $1, the Demon Crate was simply a gift you get with the car.

Limited Run Vs Series Production

The Dodge Demon was available for one year only and was limited to just 3,300 units, so if you wanted to get one you had to act fast. It was only available in the two-door Challenger body style. The Hellcat was a series production vehicle and has been available for purchase since 2015. Unlike the Demon, it wasn’t limited to just the Challenger.

The Hellcat package was available to cars like the Charger and, most recently, the Durango SUV. The supercharged Hellcat motor is also available to other Stellantis-related brands like the Jeep Trackhawk and Ram TRX. It is also available as a crate engine and can be swapped into almost any car with a big enough engine bay. But the Demon’s motor and components are exclusive to the Challenger.

Purpose Of The Demon And Hellcat

The Hellcat was meant to represent the true meaning of an American muscle car. A big, comfortable, and powerful American muscle car. The Demon, on the other hand, was a showcase of what could be done if you wanted to seek out an all-out performance. It showed what was capble of when done right, and you didn’t need an exotic sports car to achieve it. The Demon did its job so well that it was banned by the NHRA for being too fast and not meeting certain safety requirements.

Demon And Hellcat Updates Over The Years

The Challenger has had updates over the years, but the biggest update came with the Hellcat in 2015. In 2018, the Demon was introduced, which smashed the quarter-mile production car record. 2019 saw the Hellcat receive a small bump in power and the introduction of the widebody package which was available on all Challenger and Charger models. The Hellcat Redeye was also introduced to slot between the Hellcat and the discontinued Demon. It also had a few upgrades that were available on the Demon.

Dodge introduced the Superstock in 2020 with the same engine as the Redeye but with slightly more power. 2023 saw the return of the Demon name, and it was set to beat its record. The new Demon 170 now made 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque along with some extra visual and mechanical upgrades which include:

• Larger 3.0-liter supercharger with a black lid
• Transbrake 2.0
• Drag Suspension
• Mickey Thompson Drag Radials
• Yellow Painted Engine Block
• SRT Demon 170 Exterior Badges and a few more changes

These changes helped the Demon 170 secure the spot once more for the fastest-accelerating production car in the world. It is also the hardest launching production car with a max recorded lateral force of more than 2 Gs. Just like the original Demon, it will only be available for one year. 3,300 units for the US, and an extra 300 units for Canada.

Dodge Demon SRT 170 Performance

(Source: Dodge)

Availability And Pricing

2023 was the final year of production for the regular Dodge Charger and Challenger models, so you have to buy them used. But for the performance they offered, they were very affordable when compared with their European and even American counterparts. These were the latest prices when they were still available for purchase with the latest Hellcat and Demon variants.

(Source: Dodge)