Automakers have been chewing nails ever since introduction of the Tesla that’s been beating all comers in acceleration. Finally, after two years of work by a team of twenty-five engineers, Dodge has unleashed its 840-horsepower Demon. Dodge claims it is the fasted production car period. The Demon reached 60 miles-per-hour in 2.3 seconds. That’s two tenths of a second quicker than the Tesla Model S P100D. “Big deal,” you say.
It is a big deal. Bragging rights are important in marketing a car to that certain segment of auto buyers who cannot abide losing to a battery-powered sissy car. Dodge brought Vin Diesel to the 2017 New York International Auto Show to emphasize how serious they are about being the leader in the macho car market. The Demon comes with barely-legal drag-racing tires and an $85,000 price tag. The high-performance Tesla sells for about $130,000, but that includes passenger and rear seats. No mention of the Demon’s fuel consumption. The Tesla P100D gets the equivalent of 98 miles per gallon.
One pundit commented that the Demon is evidence that the internal-combustion-powered vehicle has jumped the shark.
Only $85K but for an extra dollar Dodge will throw in a passenger seat. In 1967 I bought a Formula S Barracuda. Plymouth advertised the Super Commando engine to be rated at 235 hp. Not bad for 273 cubic inches. I didn’t have to pay any premium on insurance with that horsepower rating. Car and Driver magazine tested the car and concluded that the engine was really a baby hemi and was putting out closer to 300 hp. All I can say is it sure was a fun car. Rock on Mopar!