We’ve yet to see the long-teased Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, but Hennessey Performance already has an answer to this upcoming street-legal dragster. And it’s (rather cheekily) called the “Exorcist”.
The American tuning company says it designed the heavily modified Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to “cast out the Demon”. Clever.
The Exorcist is based on the 2017 ZL1 and thus employs Chevrolet’s 6,2-litre LT4 V8 engine. But thanks to the fitment of a higher flowing supercharger and intercooler system, along with numerous other upgrades, the Chevy now makes a whopping 746 kW and 1 310 N.m of torque.
Other tweaks include ported factory cylinder heads, a camshaft upgrade, long-tube stainless steel headers, high-flow air induction system and a custom engine management system. Customers can choose between a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Hennessey says its Exorcist will be able to achieve a 0-100 km/h time of about 3,0 seconds and a quarter-mile time of “less than 10 seconds”.
“However, the Exorcist is not just a quarter-mile racer. It’s a well-rounded super muscle car that is just as happy on a road course as it is on the dragstrip and street. Needless to say, this will leave the competition’s heads spinning,” quipped John Hennessey, company founder and president.
The conversion, which requires a donor car, costs $55 000 (R761 090). This includes the engine upgrades, exterior livery and a two-year warranty.
Upgrading the 10-speed auto costs another $9 950 (R137 800), while the optional 20-inch wheels with 315/30 Nitto drag radial tyres, driveshaft upgrade, floor jack and tool kit will set you back a further $8 995 (R124 500).
If customers don’t plan on hitting the dragstrip, they can opt for 20-inch lightweight Hennessey wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber for $6 995 (R96 600).
Hennessey says just 100 units will be built per model year.
