You've probably already heard that the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will be lighter than the Hellcat Challenger – to tune of more than 200 pounds. What you probably don't know is that the Dodge team did it by the dropping most of the seats, along a few other tricks.
The Demon loses 113 pounds by making the front passenger seat with its seatbelt (58 pounds) and back seat (55 pounds including restraints and floor mats) optional, which accounts for a large chunk of the weight loss compare to the Hellcat.
The Demon also has unique 18-by-11 inch wheels, which are 16 pounds lighter than the Hellcat's, a manual scope/telescopic steering, which loses four pounds, and an 18-pound loss thanks to removing 23 noise, vibration, and harshness parts (the Demon will not by a quiet car, to say the least). Another 20 pounds is lost thanks to removing the trunk trim and spare tire.
Still, the Demon gains 17 pounds of thanks to the wide fender flares that accommodate the massive drag radials, adding 3.5 inches to the car's width. The lightest Hellcat weighs 4,448 pounds with a manual transmission, and the automatic gearbox comes in at 4,455 pounds.
The Demon will be revealed in April before the New York Auto Show, and Dodge will continue to tease its latest satanic muscle couple weekly until then.
