Last month, Dodge unveiled the Challenger SRT Demon 170 as a swan song to their internal combustion muscle vehicles. With 1,025 hp (1,039 PS / 764 kW), 945 lb-ft (1,080 Nm) of torque, and a -60 mph (-96 km/h) time of just 1.66 seconds, it is a monster on the drag strip, but as Jay Leno finds out whilst driving it in his most recent video, it can manage its personal on the road as effectively.

Leno got the opportunity to speak with Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, who walked him via the improvement method of the auto and some important choices that have been created along the way. Dodge initially had the intention to just upgrade the original Demon to get the Demon 170, but it ended up becoming a entire new auto. Nearly each and every element of the 170 is various from the original Demon, with the only exception becoming the sheet metal.

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One of the standout functions of the new auto are the hybrid aluminum/carbon fiber wheels, which quantity to a weight savings of 32.1 lb (14.six kg). But it is not just the weight that matters with these wheels, it is also exactly where that weight’s positioned. Specifically, the majority of the wheels’ mass is positioned close to their aluminum centers, enabling them to spin up more rapidly, and in turn, launch the auto more rapidly. Mounted to these wheels are Mickey Thompson tires created particularly for the Demon 170, which give so a lot traction that Dodge had to entirely retune the suspension to accommodate them.

The reality that these are tires you can drive on each the street and the drag strip is quite practical for owners, and that is a theme that pops up a lot with auto. The engine, for instance, will automatically adjust its mapping primarily based on what fuel it is operating on, and the constructed-in chiller signifies owners will not have to devote time performing a devoted cooldown process for their auto. The Challenger even makes it possible for the driver to adjust torque delivery from the infotainment screen to mitigate wheelspin on the fly.

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All this benefits in an ownership encounter that is quite simple, which carries more than into the Demon 170’s road manners. Despite it becoming a auto in which the passenger seat is an choice, Leno says it is surprisingly livable. Not necessarily in the sense that it is super sensible, but in that you can drive it with no worrying it’ll give you any troubles.

The off-track encounter is far more of what you’d anticipate from a from a production road auto, not a drag auto that can do a wheelie stock and requirements a roll cage and a parachute to be legally permitted to race. Of course it is a straight-line rocket with an enticing throttle pedal and sublime supercharger whine, but it is also large, comfy, and has a ride height higher sufficient that you do not pray for your front splitter each and every time you take it out for a drive.