Dodge SRT Demon vs Shelby GT500

Dodge SRT Demon vs Shelby GT500

Last Updated July 29, 2024 | Andrew Boyle

There's no question that many die-hard Ford fans were shaking in their boots a bit after the SRT Demon’s official release on April 11, 2018. With 840 horsepower being pumped out of a force-fed Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 and a 2.3 second 0-60 MPH time among other mind-blowing statistics, the Demon is no doubt one incredibly impressive piece of modern engineering. While the Demon maintains its title as the dominant street-legal king, the GT500 looks to be in a great position to challenge the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, a beast that is nearly as ferocious in its own right.

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While Dodge's Demon is currently undisputed, Ford has held the title of most powerful production V8 engine before. Remember the Trinity V8 that was placed in the 2013-2014 GT500? At an impressive 662 horsepower, the 5.8L Supercharged V8 from Ford was an incredible piece of machinery, to say the least. Now, only five years later, the Demon’s V8 holds that title.

Dodge SRT Demon aerial top view

Okay, so we know that the Demon is insane, especially considering that it's a production vehicle. And yes, “insane” is the right word, considering all of the insane numbers coming from this production drag Challenger. But, to put it in perspective, SRT’s team was quoted back in January saying that this car was intended to only be a straight-line car. Which the GT500, will surely have a leg up on that front. Take that, and add the 760 horsepower engine in the upcoming GT500, and the comparison becomes just a bit more even-handed.

2018 Dodge SRT Demon Stats

Along with having the heart of the most powerful production engine in the world, the Dodge SRT Demon also is sporting NT05R Drag Radials; a first for any production vehicle. On top of that, it features a first-ever Torque Reserve System that delivers increased levels of power and torque at launch. Not to mention the first-ever, factory-production TransBrake for quicker, more aggressive launches out of the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.

Dodge SRT Demon Wheelie

To break down the facts we have at hand now, the all-new SRT Demon did take home quite a few records including a Guinness World Record.

  • World’s Fastest Quarter-Mile Production Car: 9.65 seconds at 140 MPH
  • Highest Horsepower V8 Production Car: 840 Horsepower
  • World’s Fastest 0-60 MPH Production Car: 2.3 seconds
  • Highest G-Force Acceleration On Launch: 1.8 g
  • First-Ever, Factory-Production Car Designed To Run 100+ High-Octane Unleaded Fuel
  • First-Ever, Factory-Production Car With a TransBrake
  • First-Ever, Factory-Production Car With Torque Reserve: Delivering increased levels of power and torque at launch
  • First-Ever, Factory-Production Car With Front Passenger Seat Delete
  • Largest Functional Hood Scoop Of Any Production Car: Air-Grabber Induction System measures 45.2 square inches
Dodge SRT Demon vs 2020 Ford Mustang GT500: Quick Stats
SpecDodge SRT DemonFord Mustang GT500
Base Price $86,090 $70,300
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, RWD, 2-door coupe Front-engine, RWD, 2-door coupe
Engine 6.2L, 840-hp/770 lb-ft, Supercharged HEMI Demon V8 5.2L, 760hp/625 lb-ft, Supercharged 5.2L V8
Transmission TorqueFlite 8-Speed Automatic with TransBrake Tremec 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
0-30 MPH 1.0 second TBD
0-60 MPH 2.3 seconds 3.3 seconds
0-100 MPH 5.1 seconds TBD
Quarter Mile 9.65 seconds @ 140 MPH 10.61 seconds @ 133 MPH
Braking, 60-0 MPH 97 feet TBD
Lateral Acceleration 1.8 G TBD
Wheels/Tires Lightweight 18” x 11” Drag Wheels, 315/40R18 Custom Nitto NT05R Drag Radials. Available Front Runners Flow-formed Aluminum 20" Wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 45 Tires. Available 20" Carbon Fiber Wheels
Production Numbers 3,000 (U.S.), 300 (Canada) TBD

Demon vs GT500

Okay, so we all know the SRT Demon is a drag racing machine that's not to be messed with. Did we forget to mention it’s already banned from NHRA Dragstrips because it’s too fast? With all of the technology that the SRT team has put into the Demon over the past two years of research and development, the final result is certainly an impressive feat. However, the GT500's recent debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is stirring the pot and putting other American automakers on notice.

There's absolutely no doubt that the Demon is likely quicker than the Shelby GT500 in the quarter-mile, especially when in the hands of a professional driver. However, the Shelby GT500 is no slouch, either. With an extremely impressive 760 horsepower pumping out of that 5.2L cross-plane crank supercharged V8, the new 2020 Shelby GT500 will tackle the quarter-mile in 10.61 sec @ 133 mph! The Demon is a purpose-built drag car and does an amazing job at tackling the 1320', however, the GT500 will not only put down impressive times at Streets of Willow, but also kick major butt at the dragstrip as well. Hats off to Ford for such an impressive vehicle!

Shelby GT500

Image Credit: Dodge | MotorTrend | Ford | Car And Driver

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