2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the most powerful muscle car ever

Just 3,000 Demons will be released in the US for 2018, and a further 300 are headed to Canada. Dodge says this is a one-year model.

The skinny drag radials on the front seen here are part of the optional serialized Demon crate. The car will arrive on four identical 315/40R18 Nitto drag radials like the ones shown on the rear of the car.

Underneath those wide flares is a unique suspension featuring Bilstein adaptive dampers tuned specifically to maximize weight transfer for drag racing. Compared to a garden-variety Hellcat, the Demon has softer springs (35 percent up front, 28 percent out back) and hollow antiroll bars that are both softer and lighter (75 percent lower rate up front, 44 percent lower in the rear).

The flares add 3.5 inches to the Demon's overall width, and a lot more to its visual impact.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s windshield includes an image of the SRT Demon doing a burnout.

The Demon comes standard with only one seat -- for the driver. If you want a passenger seat or rear bench, be prepared to shell out $1 each. No, really.

Cloth is standard, with leather/Alcantara upholstery optional.

SRT Performance Pages return on the Demon with added functionality.

The Demon Crate is an optional extra, but I can't imagine buyers passing up on it, if only for the collector value. Serialized and featuring the buyer's name and VIN, the crate includes the following:

• Performance powertrain control module with high-octane engine calibration
• Replacement switch module containing high-octane button
• Conical performance air filter
• Passenger mirror block-off plate
• Narrow, front-runner drag wheels
• Demon-branded track tools:
• Hydraulic floor jack with carrying bag
• Cordless impact wrench with charger
• Torque wrench with extension and socket
• Tire pressure gauge
• Fender cover
• Tool bag
• Foam case that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools

It may look like a normal Hellcat V8, but over half of the parts count is unique to the Demon.

That lit button means the powertrain is now optimized to run on high-octane race gas.

Yup, these Demon-specific Nitto drag radials will actually wrinkle their sidewalls. They're also specially designed not to slip on the wheel itself under hard launches.

With only 3,000 examples coming to the US, you're not likely to see yourself coming and going. That said, Dodge is offering a surprisingly large paint selection, including these 14 colors: B5 Blue, Billet Silver, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Go Mango, Granite Crystal, Indigo Blue, Maximum Steel, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, TorRed, White Knuckle and Yellow Jacket.

A four-point racing harness bar will be sold through aftermarket partner Speedlogix, and it has been designed not to require any drilling or cutting to fit.

Performance Pages also include an Eco mode (tee-hee) and a Valet setting that disables select performance features like launch control and shift paddles. It also curbs horsepower and reduces the redline to 4,000 rpm.

A standard line lock will help make for better burnouts by selectively locking the front brakes. You'll want those tires nice and warm before awakening the Demon under the hood.

The functional Air-Grabber™ hood scoop on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the largest of any production car (measures 45.2 square inches).

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s windshield includes an image of the SRT Demon doing a burnout.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with a set of four exclusive 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R street-legal drag radial tires, a first for a factory-production car.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with a set of four exclusive 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R street-legal drag radial tires, a first for a factory-production car.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is equipped with a set of four exclusive 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R street-legal drag radial tires, a first for a factory-production car.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon fender logo.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Drag Kit features a Demon Track Pack System that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools.

On the underside of the aluminum hood of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the top-sealed air duct for the Air-Grabber™ cold-air intake box.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® Demon V-8 engine.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® Demon V-8 engine.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s driver-side functional Air-Catcher headlamp features a Demon logo.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon features exclusive Hole-Shot, five-spoke 18x11-inch lightweight aluminum wheels.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s exclusive 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R street-legal drag radial tires.

Each Demon Crate is a personalized for its owner with a serialized name plate.

A low-restriction air filter is nestled in the top-sealed Air-Grabber™ cold-air intake box to feed the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® Demon V-8 engine in the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.

Standard drag-race inspired interior configuration of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has driver seat only; first-ever factory-production Challenger with a front passenger seat delete.

Standard drag-race inspired interior configuration of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has driver seat only; first-ever factory-production Challenger with a front passenger seat delete.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon features exclusive flat-bottom performance steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara suede with SRT paddle shifters.

Gloss Black bezels are featured throughout the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s interior. Passenger side IP bezel features carbon fiber badge, laser-etched with production sequence number.

Standard drag-race interior configuration of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has rear seats removed; first-ever, factory-production Challenger with a rear-seat delete.

The standard Air-Grabber™ intake system features a significantly larger air box that is sealed and ducted to the Demon Air-Grabber™ hood scoop.

The Air-Grabber™ logo on the underside of the hood of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Drag Kit features a Demon Track Pack System that fits into the SRT Demon trunk and securely holds the front runner wheels and track tools.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s standard Air-Grabber™ intake system features a significantly larger air box that is sealed and ducted to the hood scoop.

Under the hood of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® Demon V-8 engine.

Custom Demon diecast emblem located on the cover the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® Demon V-8 engine.

The Air/Fuel Ratio gauge is one of many performance information screens on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s 7-inch instrument cluster screen, which is centered between the exclusive SRT Demon white face gauges.

The TransBrake launch screen on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s 7-inch instrument cluster screen centered between the exclusive SRT Demon white face gauges.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon offers line lock, a feature that assists the driver in preventing forward vehicle movement during a burnout through enhanced control of the brakes while revving the engine to its peak power RPM, as shown on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon includes an After-Run Chiller, which makes use of the vehicle’s air conditioning to reduce the temperature of the supercharger when the vehicle is turned off, as shown on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the first-ever, factory-production car designed to run on 100+ high-octane unleaded fuel for added performance.

The Challenger SRT Demon’s Performance Pages feature a new real-time Dyno page, which displays instantaneous power and torque readings displayed on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.

The Challenger SRT Demon’s Performance Pages feature a new G-Force page, which displays instantaneous and peak lateral force readings displayed on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.

The Challenger SRT Demon’s Performance Pages feature an Engine readout page, which displays instantaneous power and torque with boost pressure displayed on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.

The Challenger SRT Demon’s Performance Pages feature a new Home page, which is fully customizable to display all relevant performance information on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen.

Gloss Black bezels are featured throughout the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s interior. Passenger-side IP bezel features carbon fiber badge, laser-etched with production sequence number.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon combines the best of both mechanical and electronic tuning to deliver maximum launch force while still maintaining precision directional control.

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s Performance Pages arm the driver with real-time information, including temperature reduction of the supercharger with the After-Run Chiller.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

The Demon logo appears at startup in the 7-inch instrument cluster screen in the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.