cars news 10: 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has Tech to Prevent Wheel Hop

The slow rollout continues. In its umpteenth teaser video for the Demon, Dodge has detailed key components it has used to protect the driveline from all the torque the car makes. One of these new features is a control module to prevent wheel hop, allowing for smoother launches on the drag stip.

Unfortunately we don’t see much of the actual car in this latest teaser, but it’s interesting to get a glimpse of some of its inner workings. The Demon boasts an upgraded prop shaft that increases torque capacity by 15 percent, utilizing 20-percent thicker tubes, heat-treated stub-shafts, and plenty of high-strength steel. The differential housing is more durable thanks to the use of heat-treated A383 aluminum alloy, and it boosts torque capacity 30 percent. The car’s 41-spline half shafts receive increased-diameter high-strength, low-alloy steel and 8-ball joints that improve torque capacity while reducing operating temperatures by more than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

To prevent wheel hop, Dodge utilizes a special Launch Assist feature. As part of the feature, wheel speed sensors look for signs of tire slipping. If this happens, a control module reduces engine torque to help regain traction, preventing wheel hop so drivers don’t have to back off the throttle. And it helps protect the vehicle from damage, reducing wheel-hop-related loads in the driveline by more than 15-20 percent.

In a previous teaser, Dodge said the Demon promises a higher launch force and more than twice the grip of the Hellcat. So far, Dodge hasn’t released powertrain specs for the Demon, but we’ll know more soon enough. The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon will debut on April 11 leading up to the New York auto Show. In the meantime, expect plenty of additional teaser videos.

Source: Dodge