The last time we’ve been this impatient waiting for something this awesome, we were in grade school and Christmas was weeks away. But Dodge is adamant that the upcoming Challenger SRT Demon is going to be parsed out in bite-sized tidbits, and the newest bite of information is regarding the suspension. We have no doubt that the Demon is going to be a drag-suited version of the Challenger, but FCA has decided to incorporate some witchcraft into just how the Demon will throw it’s weight around.
“In the coming weeks, Dodge will share more of the Drag Mode attributes. But this week, the focus is on how Drag Mode, in combination with the SRT Demon’s all-new suspension, maximizes weight transfer, traction and control … because burnouts are fun, but they don’t win races.
The “old school” solution was pretty simple – get the quickest reacting springs upfront, the softest rebound front shocks that wouldn’t restrict the springs’ reaction, remove any restrictions (sway bar) and increase the compression of the rear shocks. This combination resulted in extremely efficient weight transfer, but provided minimal lateral stability in the event that directional corrections were required.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon combines the best of both mechanical and electronic tuning to deliver maximum launch force while still maintaining precision directional control. The SRT Demon is the first-ever factory production car with mechanical/electronic drag-race-specific suspension tuning.”
“Drag Mode”. There is going to be a setting within the car to switch up from normal driver to hell-bent drag car. Interesting, but how are they going to do that? Here’s the breakdown:
Hardware:
35 percent lower rate front springs/28 percent lower rate rear springs
75 percent lower rate hollow front sway bar/44 percent lower rate rear sway bar
Drag-tuned Bilstein Adaptive Damping Shocks
Software:
Rear = F/F and Front = F/S
F/F – F/S maintained @ wide open throttle (WOT)
F/F – F/F < WOT
Traction control disabled/ESC maintained
Result:
13.5=575@500
For the software, you’re looking at the difference between firm (F) and soft (S) settings upon launch. We are wondering just how much control the electronic stability controller will have over the Demon’s tail, but the bigger question is the “result”. FCA has been big on these brainteases, and there are many people who are searching the internet for a code-breaker who can explain what FCA is trying to hint at. Decipher as you will…we aren’t that focused. We just want one crack behind the wheel. FCA? Mopar? You listening?
…please?
