Challenger SRT Demon

Make
Dodge
Segment
Coupe

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was built to dominate the drag strip. Thanks to its 6.2-liter, supercharged V8 generating 808 horsepower on 91-octane pump gasoline and 840 hp on 100-octane racing fuel, the Demon is capable of mind-blowing performance. Dodge claims the Demon will run the quarter-mile in just 9.65 seconds, which sent shockwaves through the auto industry when it debuted at the 2017 New York Auto Show.

To put Dodge's claims to the test Road Test TV decided to pit the Dodge Demon in a quarter-mile drag race against an unusual competitor: a lightweight 2019 Ariel Atom 3RS, which is the most powerful Ariel production model.

Unsurprisingly, the Ariel Atom 3RS has significantly less muscle than the Dodge Demon. Power is provided by a Honda-sourced turbocharged 2.0-liter VTEC engine that produces 425 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. However, the Ariel Atom 3RS is also significantly lighter weighing only 1,450 pounds compared to the heavyweight Demon, which weighs a hefty 4,250 pounds. It makes for an interesting duel since the Ariel Atom 3RS has twice the power to weight ratio of the Dodge Demon.

Ultimately, the Dodge Demon destroys the lightweight track car in the drag race, but the driver of the Atom had a much slower reaction time. The Demon crossed the line in 9.96 seconds at 145 mph, whereas the Atom did the quarter-mile in 12.05 seconds at 114 mph, so the Demon is the clear winner. Even if it had a better start, the Ariel Atom simply didn't stand a chance.

While the Ariel Atom 3RS is still available to order, the Dodge Demon has long been sold out and won't be entering production ever again. Only 3,300 rolled off the production line but you can still occassionally find used examples looking for new owners. Recently, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles design boss Ralph Gilles listed his Dodge Demon, the fourth example ever produced, for sale for $139,995, which is around $55,00 more than the car's original asking price.