LEGO wasn’t playing around when it created its own Dodge SRT Demon

Earlier this month, LEGO teamed up with Dodge to release a set that features the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. The SRT Demon became a legend essentially the second it rolled off the assembly line, due to its ridiculous 0–60 times and unholy amount of horsepower.

Dads everywhere rejoiced that a ’Murican car (built in Canada) that is “faster” than Ferraris and Lamborghinis could now be had by the common man. But how does the LEGO version stack up against the real thing?

Similarities

Exclusivity

Both the SRT Demon and its LEGO counterpart enjoy some level of exclusivity. Only 3300 Demons were ever produced, with all of them being sold shortly after the production run ended. The LEGO version was sold out at my local Target and I had to order it from LEGO’s website.

Banned from the NHRA

When the SRT Demon was announced, Dodge claimed that it was banned from NHRA competition in its stock form. It was too fast to run the quarter mile at NHRA events without proper safety equipment being installed. Similarly, the LEGO Demon is also banned from NHRA competition. This is because it does not have an engine, transmission, or functioning steering wheel. It is also made out of plastic. You can’t win them all.

Comes in/with a box

Every option on the SRT Demon was just $1, and that included everything from removing the passenger’s seat to a big box of Dodge-branded gear, drag-racing tools, and a set of wheels. Aside from coming in a box (disassembled), the LEGO Demon also comes with a set of tools that are very tiny but well-suited for swapping out tires and rims.

Differences

The SRT Demon is obviously a lot different than its plastic brick doppelganger. Let’s investigate.

Price (Advantage: LEGO Demon)

At $30, the LEGO Demon is a much lower cost than its namesake, and it even comes with an entire 1970 Dodge Charger R/T and three people. For the $84,995 MSRP, the SRT Demon does offer functional aerodynamics like cutouts in the headlights to allow more cold air into the engine to aid in cooling and combustion. Much like a NASCAR, the LEGO Demon’s front assembly is just a sticker and severely impedes its aerodynamic properties. Still, you can’t beat the LEGO’s immense relative value.

Size (Advantage: Draw)

At 198 inches long, the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is almost 40 times longer than than the LEGO Demon. On the other hand, the LEGO version easily fits into a parking space and can even fit in a backpack.

Performance (Advantage: SRT Demon)

The souped-up Challenger can reach 60 mph from standing still in 2.3 seconds. The LEGO Demon could only reach that speed if it was fired out of a cannon. Lastly, the SRT Demon is equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that throws down 808 horsepower on 91-octane fuel. As mentioned earlier, the LEGO Demon has no such engine, but the experience may be replicated by making engine noises and scooting it around your desk during your lunch break.

Conclusion

Overall, the LEGO Demon is a lot different than the SRT Demon, mainly due to the fact that it’s a toy and made of LEGOS. Aside from that, LEGO was able to adequately capture the SRT-ness of the SRT Demon and provide what is likely the cheapest way into SRT Demon ownership.