cars news 10: 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Can Run Race Gas or Premium Fuel

The end is in sight for the seemingly endless barrage of 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon teasers. The second-to-last teaser before the Demon is finally revealed in New York is live, and it reveals the coupe will have two engine tunes for two types of fuel.

Dodge says the Challenger SRT Demon is the first ever factory production car designed to run on either 100-plus-octane fuel or 91-octane premium unleaded fuel. The car does so on demand, as there’s an available button in the center stack that allows the driver to switch from pump gas to race gas. You can find high-octane racing fuel at certain gas stations, speed shops, and drag strips.

The multi-fuel function is unlocked by a special powertrain control module (PCM) that’s shipped separately with the Direct Connection Performance parts in the Demon Crate. The PCM is calibrated for high-octane fuel and comes with a new switch bank that includes the high-octane button. From the factory, the Demon’s PCM is programmed for premium 91-octane fuel. Once the new PCM and switch bank are installed, drivers will have a race tune that’s optimized for the knock-resistant, high-octane fuel at the push of a button. The special PCM alters spark timing to get the most out of the race gas, and Dodge says drivers will see big gains in elapsed time at the strip.

Mixing race gas and premium fuel in the tank won’t hurt the Demon’s engine, according to Dodge, but the high-octane function won’t work if the octane level is too low. The PCM monitors the engine’s knock sensors to determine octane level, and a message in the gauge display will tell drivers when the function is available. To feed the Demon’s supercharged Hemi V-8, two fuel pumps are used along with larger fuel injectors and a higher-pressure fuel rail. The 707-hp Hellcat gets by with just one fuel pump.

In addition to the ability to run race gas, the Demon is getting an Air Grabber intake system, Freon-cooled intercooler, and a torque reserve launch system. From the 13 teasers we’ve seen so far, we know the Demon will also get Nitto drag radials, a wide body, a TransBrake, drag-tuned suspension, and much more. There’s just one teaser left before the big reveal next week at the New York auto show, where we’ll finally learn everything we want to know about the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Stay tuned.

Source: Dodge