Dodge Demon Hints, Once Again, at Its Output While Showcasing Track Settings

by Matt Posky

Published: March 9th, 2017

dodge demon hints once again at its output while showcasing track settings

Dodge dropped another unsubtle hint at the drag-focused Challenger SRT Demon’s power output this week, inserting it in a teaser that showcased the car’s unique performance data recorder for its Uconnect infotainment system.

After saying “nothing is a coincidence and everything means something” in an earlier press release, Road and Track speculated that a stamped serial number, reading 0757, was likely the the number of horses hiding beneath the Demon’s hood. Today, FCA let loose another video that showed the “Performance Pages” application in action, with the clock set for 7:57.

FCA has issued loads of cryptic messages over the last couple of months, but with the biggest question seemingly answered, perhaps it will be a little more straightforward when it comes time for the next announcement. I wouldn’t bet on it. As for the performance app, Dodge says the Demon will have graphical interfaces for just about everything a spec-hungry amateur drag racer could want, along with some extra bells and whistles for the strip.

The best of these are a driver-selectable line-lock, rpm-variable launch control, and a programmable shift light that’s adjustable for every single gear. Also included in the Performance Pages is a device to measure reaction time and individual timers for 0-60 mph, 0-100 mph, eighth-mile, and full quarter-mile runs. All of these also include vehicle speed, making the car a mobile drag strip. There are also progressive graphic displays for engine horsepower and torque, with gear changes plotted.

More practical features offer real-time readouts for all of the important stuff — engine oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, intake air temperature, air-to-fuel ratio, intercooler coolant temperature, boost pressure and battery voltage. The SRT Demon will also run the cooling fan and intercooler pump after engine shutdown until a targeted temperature is reached, hinting that the beast will probably achieve boost beyond the Hellcat’s paltry 11.6 PSI.

Like most new cars, this Dodge comes equipped with various preselected driving modes: Auto, Drag, and Custom. The latter can be coupled with whatever power level, steering response, suspension setup, traction control, and shift points you desire. However, all of the modes offer some level of customization for suspension, power, and steering. Once you’ve specified those and made a few passes, you can go back and look through all of the recorded performance data. You also might be able to record video using the app, similar to the Performance Data Recorder on the Chevrolet Corvette or Camaro 1LE. While dodge said nothing about it, I did notice a small camera logo near the top of the Performance Pages interface.

We’ll know for sure in April when the monster makes its official debut at the New York Auto Show.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

#DodgeChallengerSRTDemon #DodgeDemon #DragRacing #Fca #NewCars #PerformanceTechnology

Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

More by Matt Posky

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 11 comments

MazdaThreeve on Mar 10, 2017

I just loooooooove how every marketing group teasing everything from video games to cars is now following the major film studio model of "accidental" releases and "teaser" images beginning twenty months before the actual product.

Like Reply
Flipper35 on Mar 10, 2017

Since the demise of the Viper, I wish they would have a track with turns oriented car again. Even if it is an Avenger 4.0 ACR built on a RWD Alpha platform. I WOULD buy that.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

Joe65688619 Under Ghosn they went through the same short-term bottom-line thinking that GM did in the 80s/90s, and they have not recovered say, to their heyday in the 50s and 60s in terms of market share and innovation. Poor design decisions (a CVT in their front-wheel drive "4-Door Sports Car", model overlap in a poorly performing segment (they never needed the Altima AND the Maxima...what they needed was one vehicle with different drivetrain, including hybrid, to compete with the Accord/Camry, and decontenting their vehicles: My 2012 QX56 (I know, not a Nissan, but the same holds for the Armada) had power rear windows in the cargo area that could vent, a glass hatch on the back door that could be opened separate from the whole liftgate (in such a tall vehicle, kinda essential if you have it in a garage and want to load the trunk without having to open the garage door to make room for the lift gate), a nice driver's side folding armrest, and a few other quality-of-life details absent from my 2018 QX80. In a competitive market this attention to detai is can be the differentiator that sell cars. Now they are caught in the middle of the market, competing more with Hyundai and Kia and selling discounted vehicles near the same price points, but losing money on them. They invested also invested a lot in niche platforms. The Leaf was one of the first full EVs, but never really evolved. They misjudged the market - luxury EVs are selling, small budget models not so much. Variable compression engines offering little in terms of real-world power or tech, let a lot of complexity that is leading to higher failure rates. Aside from the Z and GT-R (low volume models), not much forced induction (whether your a fan or not, look at what Honda did with the CR-V and Acura RDX - same chassis, slap a turbo on it, make it nicer inside, and now you can sell it as a semi-premium brand with higher markup). That said, I do believe they retain the technical and engineering capability to do far better. About time management realized they need to make smarter investments and understand their markets better.
Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Off-road fluff on vehicles that should not be off road needs to die.
Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Saw this posted on social media; “Just bought a 2023 Tundra with the 14" screen. Let my son borrow it for the afternoon, he connected his phone to listen to his iTunes.The next day my insurance company raised my rates and added my son to my policy. The email said that a private company showed that my son drove the vehicle. He already had his own vehicle that he was insuring.My insurance company demanded he give all his insurance info and some private info for proof. He declined for privacy reasons and my insurance cancelled my policy.These new vehicles with their tech are on condition that we give up our privacy to enter their world. It's not worth it people.”
TheEndlessEnigma Poor planning here, dropping a Vinfast dealer in Pensacola FL is just not going to work. I love Pensacola and that part of the Gulf Coast, but that area is by no means an EV adoption demographic.
Keith Most of the stanced VAGS with roof racks are nuisance drivers in my area. Very likely this one's been driven hard. And that silly roof rack is extra $'s, likely at full retail lol. Reminds me of the guys back in the late 20th century would put in their ads that the installed aftermarket stereo would be a negotiated extra. Were they going to go find and reinstall that old Delco if you didn't want the Kraco/Jenson set up they hacked in?