The Ultimate Drag Race: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 vs. Lucid Air Sapphire

Introduction

In a battle of American automotive powerhouses, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the Lucid Air Sapphire go head-to-head. While the Dodge boasts a quicker quarter-mile time on paper, real-world testing tells a different story.

Performance Comparison

On paper, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 holds the title of the quickest road-legal production car in the U.S., clocking an impressive quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph (243 km/h). However, recent testing by Jason Cammisa revealed the challenges of achieving such a feat in reality.

On the other hand, the Lucid Air Sapphire, with its all-wheel-drive system and over 1,000 hp, offers a different kind of performance that is more accessible and repeatable on the drag strip.

Drag Racing Showdown

The showdown between the Demon 170 and the Lucid Air Sapphire took place at Willow Springs Raceway. Despite the Dodge’s 1,025 hp and drag radial tires, it struggled to put power down effectively on the unprepped surface. In contrast, the Lucid effortlessly pulled ahead, finishing 396 feet ahead of the Demon with a best time of 9.2 seconds at 158 mph (254 km/h).

Results and Conclusion

Multiple runs at Famoso Dragstrip further highlighted the performance disparity between the two cars. While the Lucid consistently clocked sub-9-second runs, the Demon 170 could only manage a best time of 9.721 seconds at 143.72 mph (231 km/h). The Lucid’s superior power and all-wheel-drive system proved to be decisive factors in these drag races.

Ultimately, while the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 may hold impressive numbers on paper, real-world testing reveals the challenges of translating that performance to the track. The Lucid Air Sapphire emerges as a formidable competitor that showcases its power and traction advantage in drag racing scenarios.