Supercars are amazing machines which constantly push the boundaries of speed and technology. Most are designed in wind tunnels to achieve the optimum drag coefficient, coupled with an engine and drivetrain that perfectly fits the vehicle to create a balance of elegance and poise. the dodges Challenger SRT Demon ignores most of this philosophy.
Instead of bodywork sculpted by the wind, the SRT Demon uses a regular widebody Challenger and an engine that would wake up a graveyard. The Demon’s approach to straight-line speed is sheer brute force, punching the air as it thunders down the drag strip – all eight cylinders at their full potential and the massive supercharger screaming as the revs build. The SRT Demon completes the 0-60 mph sprint in just 2.3 seconds on regular tarmac, while a treated drag surface slashes it down to just 2.1 seconds. This is an incredible feat as all 840 hp and 770 lb-ft goes to the rear wheels only. Granted, the fantastical 840 horses are only available when using race fuel and when the special drag mode is selected. In all other cases, the ‘normal’ mode Demon only has to do with a measly 808 hp.
The Challenger SRT Demon was only ever available for the 2018 model year, but it left a lasting impact on the American muscle car world, showingcasing that massively powerful production cars are viable. For interest’s sake, here are ten proper supercars which you won’t believe are slower to 60 mph than the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.
10 Lotus Evija-3 Seconds
The Lotus Evija is currently the most powerful production vehicle on sale, sporting an incredible 1,970 hp from four electric motors. The Evija may be ridiculously powerful, but is more than half a second slower to 60 mph than the SRT Demon.
The reason it’s not the quickest and fastest electric car ever made is because Lotus focused on the sheer ferocity of the acceleration. The Evija takes 3 seconds to get to 60 mph, but only 9 seconds to get to 186 mph – which is astounding.
9 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series – 2.8 seconds
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the latest AMG model to get the Black Series treatment, making it one of the most powerful car the brand from Affalterbach ever made. Along with the host of exterior and chassis upgrades, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 720 hp and 590 lb-ft.
The AMG GT Black Series accelerates to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, thanks to special tires and an advanced traction control system. Many motoring journalists praised the AMG GT Black for its dynamics, calling it a front-engine McLaren 720S – a high compliment indeed .
8th W Motors Lykan Hypersport – 2.8 seconds
The Lykan Hypersport is most famous for its ridiculous stunt in a Fast and Furious movie, where it jumped from one building to another. It was the first car produced by the UAE-based Lebanese company and made headlines thanks to its crystal and ruby-infused headlights.
The Lykan features a 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-6 from Porsche, but heavily modified by Ruf to produce 740 hp and 708 lb-ft of torque. All the power goes to the rear wheels only, which results in a 0-60 mph sprint of just 2.8 seconds. Not bad for a company’s first time out.
7 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 – 2.6 seconds
The new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is currently taking up most of the talk in the motor industry, especially since it emulates one of the greatest Ferraris of all time – the 458. It also holds the record for the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever made, producing 670 hp from a 5.5 liter unit.
The Z06 screams all the way to the redline in classic Ferrari style and even though it’s rear drive only, it accelerates to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds – faster than most supercars in its class. The Z06 is still no match for the SRT Demon though – especially not on a prepped surface.
6 Bugatti Divo – 2.6 seconds
The Bugatti Divo is a special version of the Chiron which has a different body and more aerodynamic panels to give it greater downforce and grip around a track. It’s not quite as good as the current Chiron Pur Sport, but it’s still a force within the Bugatti line-up.
Powering the Divo is the same 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 as in the Chiron, producing 1,479 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to all four wheels via a special 7-speed dual clutch, resulting in a 0-60 time of just 2.6 seconds. It’s probably all the radiators keeping it from going faster.
5 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ – 2.5 seconds
The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is the ultimate track-ready version of the model, featuring more wings and vents than a Formula One car. The Aventador SVJ also benefits from an upgraded engine and a mustache on the front lip.
The 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 produces 760 hp and 531 lb-ft powering all four wheels via a 7-speed sequential automated-manual transmission. It gets to 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.5 seconds and does a mini four-wheel burnout on the way there.
4 Koenigsegg Jesko Attack – 2.5 seconds
The Koenigsegg Jesko is the latest iteration of the Swedish company’s ultra-fast two-seaters, which seem to break the laws of speed every time they are run. The Jesko comes in two distinct trims – Attack and Absolut, with the latter going for the fastest production car trophy.
The Jesko Attack is a track-focused version which has an elegant wing in the back and enough downforce to glue it to the ground. The Jesko’s 5.1-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 1,603 hp which helps it to accelerate to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds – despite being rear-wheel-drive.
3 McLaren P1 – 2.5 seconds
The McLaren P1 was one-third of the great motoring trinity of 2013-2014. It was nicknamed ‘Widowmaker’ by Jeremy Clarkson and is constantly considered one of the best modern hypercars ever made.
The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 in the middle, mated to an electric motor, produces a combined 903 hp and allowed the P1 to rocket to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. It can also drive along on electric power alone – if such a need ever arises.
2 Nissan GT-R Nismo – 2.4 seconds
The Nissan GT-R R35 is now well over a decade old, but it still remains relevant within the supercar world. The GT-R Nismo is the most hardcore version of the model, featuring the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 as the standard car, but with power boosted to 600 hp.
The Nismo has slightly shorter gearing and a host of aerodynamic features which makes it a fantastic track car. The result of all these upgrades is a 0-60 mph time of just 2.4 seconds – not bad for a chassis from 2008.
1 LaFerrari – 2.4 seconds
Ferrari like to give themselves presents for their own birthdays, and their 70th was no different. The LaFerrari – because it would be the best Ferrari they ever made – was based on the technologies from the FXX series of cars, but with added hybrid power.
The 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 got an electric motor and produced a combined 950 hp – more than the McLaren F1 or Porsche 918 Spyder. Despite its rear-wheel-drive, LaFerrari accelerated to 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds. It was still beaten by the Challenger SRT Demon – a car which cost nearly 17 times cheaper!
