Hennessey’s 1,700-HP Demon V8 Targets Buyers After Dodge Ends Challenger Run

Desmond Milligan · August 20

Texas tuner unveils a $200,000, 1,700-hp Demon-based V-8 with dyno video, extending the life of Dodge’s retired muscle icon.

Hennessey Performance has revealed a 1,700-horsepower version of Dodge’s supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, offering an ultra-high-output path for Demon 170 owners and custom builders even as the factory car leaves production. Priced at $200,000, the engine was showcased on a dynamometer in a newly released video, underscoring the tuner’s bid to keep America’s most powerful muscle car in the spotlight.

Dodge wrapped production of the Challenger SRT Demon 170 after the 2023 model year, closing the book on a headline-grabbing muscle era. The limited-build coupe set the production benchmark with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 rated at 900 horsepower on pump gas and up to 1,025 horsepower on E85. Hennessey’s latest offering aims well beyond that ceiling, delivering a four-figure output that pushes the platform into hypercar territory.

The company did not publish a full technical breakdown with the dyno clip, but the output figure indicates extensive changes to the Demon architecture, including upgraded internals, induction, fueling and calibration to support the higher load. Given the base car’s factory flexibility between gasoline and E85, the big number likely comes with specific fuel requirements and supporting hardware, typical of engines at this performance level.

At $200,000 for the powerplant alone, the Hennessey package is aimed at a narrow audience of collectors and track-focused customers who want a post-production upgrade beyond the Demon 170’s already extreme spec. The tuner positioned the 1,700-hp engine as a turnkey route to headline performance at a time when new supply of the Challenger has ended and demand for top-tier builds remains strong.

The move reflects a broader trend in the American performance aftermarket: as domestic automakers sunset high-output V-8s, independent builders are stepping in with parts and complete engines that extend the life—and raise the limits—of recent icons. For Demon 170 owners worried about originality, a separate engine also allows reversible upgrades, preserving the factory long block while enabling dramatic gains.

Hennessey’s dyno video underscores the pitch with audio as much as numbers. While quarter-mile claims and validated performance figures weren’t included with the announcement, the demonstrator run signals the company’s confidence and sets the stage for customer cars to follow. Availability, production volume and warranty details were not disclosed.

For enthusiasts who missed a build slot—or who want more—Hennessey’s 1,700-hp Demon V-8 offers an attention-grabbing alternative. With the factory chapter closed, the aftermarket appears ready to write the next one.

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