Hefty Dodge Challenger Hellcat to Shed Weight for 2018 SRT Demon Role

Tyler Wooley
by Tyler Wooley

The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon promises to be at least 200 pounds lighter than the current Hellcat when it debuts at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.

While Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ first teaser video introduced the resurrected nameplate, the latest shows the Demon driving onto a scale and shedding weight from various areas of the vehicle.

The video is the second in a 12-video series, which are to be periodically released in the lead-up to the Demon’s April reveal.

According to FCA, the change in curb weight comes from lighter wheels, steering, suspension, brakes, interior construction and other components.

Even with the 200-pound weight loss, the SRT Demon would still tip the scales at around 4,200-plus lbs — at least 400 pounds heavier than the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Ford’s Shelby GT350. Still, the drop in weight alone should invigorate the Dodge enough to make an incremental difference in acceleration numbers.

As this is only the second video in the series, it only shows one aspect of the upcoming model. The Demon will likely see its power output rise above the Hellcat’s 707 horsepower, thanks to various performance modifications, but we will have to wait to learn more.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Tyler Wooley
Tyler Wooley

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  • Not_a_luddite Not_a_luddite on Jan 19, 2017

    I don't get it... My 2002 LS430 had a listed curb weight of 3995, and that was a huge car. Admittedly, it was missing a lot of the bloat required in today's cars, but it still had eight or 10 airbags, full power everything, a little V8 and all sorts of safety stuff. It had nearly no aluminum in the structure, all steel. The hood and the trunk were aluminum, but that is probably less than 100lbs of overall savings. The engine was all aluminum too, but so are the Camaro and the mustang's. There were parts of that car that were seriously overbuilt, the lower control arm bushings looked like they belonged in a truck. The suspension was mostly forged and cast aluminum, the brakes were radial mounted and monobloc. Lexus didn't cut corners, wood, leather and thick shag everywhere, not a hard plastic anywhere. The undercarriage was lined with felt to absorb noise. I just don't get where all the extra weight comes from in a 3800lbs coupe, or the 4200lbs coupe like the Challenger.

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    • Wheeljack Wheeljack on Jan 20, 2017

      @Not_a_luddite It's not because of the Challenger. It sells just fine considering the basic car was introduced in 2008.

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Jan 19, 2017

    200 pounds, back of the envelope if you can get the traction that should be good for about .15 to .20 in the 1/4 mile - right? (assuming all things equal DA adjustment)

  • Art Vandelay Art Vandelay on Jan 20, 2017

    4200 pounds for a "lightweight" performance sport coupe? One can get a crew cab pickup at 4560 (F150XL w/ 2.7 eb) so I'm thinking maybe they could do a little bit better.

  • Matt Foley Matt Foley on Jan 20, 2017

    Here's your latest Hollywood reboot: Smokey and the Bandit 4:20. Burt Reynolds, in an SRT Demon, will run blocker for a Jeep Trailhawk in an effort to drive from Atlanta to Denver, pick up 250 lbs of legal weed, and run it back to Atlanta in less than 36 hours. Snoop Dogg as Cletus Snow, Kevin James as Buford T. Justice. Coming soon to a theater near you!

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