It is a 840-horsepower V8 and a 755-hp version.
Both the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon as well as the Chevy Corvette ZR1 have been hugely successful in the automotive industry, even though the Demon is more brutish than the Corvette ZR1 . Both offer both horsepower and technology to maximize the power of their V8 engines. Both are American-made vehicles but the philosophy of the Demon and ZR1 is very different. The ZR1 is all about performance on the track. The Demon is more about the heart.
One might mistakenly believe that they are competitors if one only glances at them. Both are supercharged with 6.2-liter V8 engine, but the Demon has 840 horsepower and torque and the ZR1 only 755 hp. The Demon can reach 60 mph in 2.3 seconds from a standing stop, compared to the ZR1’s 2.85. Both seats two and are rear-wheel driven.
There is one thing that makes the difference: weight. The Demon weighed in at a substantial 4,280 pounds. This is 700 pounds more than the ZR1, at 3,560 pounds. This weight difference negates Demon’s performance advantage. See the video above, where the Demon and ZR1 drag race.
The Demon narrowly won the first race, running an 11.76 second quarter-mile at 127 mph. This was compared to ZR1’s 11.96 quarter mile at 128 mph. The ZR1 won the second race with an 11.76 quarter mile time at 127 MPH, beating the Demon’s 11.98 at 128 MPH. The Demon wins the third race with 12.01 seconds at 128 MPH, beating the ZR1’s 12.08 @ 126 MPH. According to the video description, the track was slippery throughout the race. This certainly did not help either vehicle get their best time.
Although horsepower is important, it’s not the only factor that determines the speed of the car. Because of its V8 engine of 840 horsepower and other technology that allows it to accelerate at the drag strip, the Demon will be a formidable drag racer. It will eventually be blown out of the water by something, but right now it isn’t the Corvette ZR1.