When it comes to powerful production muscle cars, few can rival the Demon 170. However, despite boasting 1,025 horsepower, the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 couldn’t outpace the Lucid Air Sapphire in the quarter-mile.
Photographed at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida, the purple Demon boasts a stripped-down interior with no passenger seats, Billet Specialties racing wheels, and Mickey Thompson drag radials at the rear. Weighing in at 4,275 pounds with lightweight options like seat deletes and carbon-fiber wheels, the Demon 170 theoretically has the potential to clock 8.91 seconds at 151.17 miles per hour.
During testing, the Demon achieved a best time of 9.494 seconds at 144.89 miles per hour with E85 fuel. This power comes from a supercharged V8 engine, unlocked to its full potential with E85, producing 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque.
Impressive as the Demon 170 is, the Lucid Air Sapphire, with its three motors generating near-instant peak torque, managed to pull off three consecutive 9.0-second runs in the quarter-mile. With a best time of 9.006 seconds at 152.66 miles per hour, the Air Sapphire showcases remarkable performance for its weight class at 5,336 pounds.
While the Lucid Air Sapphire comes with a hefty price tag of $249,000, significantly higher than the Demon 170’s $96,666, it firmly establishes itself as the electric sedan to beat in the quarter-mile.