Dodge Demon Concept will debut in Geneva
by John Neff on Feb 12th 2007 at 12:00AM 
ciick above image to view 28 high-resolution pics of the Dodge Demon Concept
Congrats to Dodge and the boys at DaimlerChrysler for keeping the Dodge Demon Concept completely under wraps until now. As of 12:01AM on 2/12, however, the embargo has lifted and we're allowed to tell you about this Dodge-branded MX-5 killa destined to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It's no accident that we've invoked the Mazda MX-5 so quickly as a comparison for the Demon Concept, as Dodge freely admits the Japanese roadster was its benchmark when designing the car. The Demon is a smidge shorter than the MX-5, though a bit wider, taller and heavier. Unlike the concept's shown by DaimlerChrysler so far this autoshow season like the Chrysler Nassau and Jeep Trailhawk, the Demon Concept has been built from the ground up and uses no existing platform. It does, however, use one of DCX's existing engines – the 2.4L four-cylinder World Engine that sends 172 horsepower and 165 ft-lbs. of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Dodge officials tell us a number of engines could be used in the Demon, including the 1.8 or 2.0L World Engine. A 300-hp motor, probably the one that powers the Caliber SRT-4, was also spoken of when we were initially introduced to the Demon by DCX.
There's more info after the jump, and have a gander at our gallery of 28 high-resolution pics to judge the Demon's design for yourself. You can also read the official press release from Dodge after the jump.
[Source: Dodge]
Gallery: Dodge Demon Concept
It's no accident the Demon looks somewhat like a mini Viper, as Dodge designers were trying to capture some of that aspirational vehicle's charisma in an attainable package. Thus, the bold cross-hair grille that's a Dodge staple sits front and center ahead of a long hood and small windshield. The wheel openings on the Demon are assymetrical, which is a bit unusual, as is the characther line that's angled downward from the top of the front fender to brake-cooling ducts placed ahead of the rear wheels. The rear of the Demon is visually the most complicated with many intersecting lines and planes. We're actually more fond of the Demon's elegantly simple interior than its somewhat convoluted exterior. The driver faces a wide dash comprised of large, simple shapes that make operating the Demon and its systems apparently a breeze.
PRESS RELEASE:
Dodge Demon Roadster Concept –
Simple Soul, Artful Attitude Make for Radical Results
Geneva – The Dodge Demon concept is a compact, nimble "roadster with an attitude," a perfect balance of classic sports car proportion and simplicity blended with modern design and performance.
"While the iconic Dodge Viper is a dream car for many, the Dodge Demon is designed to be an attainable dream car," said Jae Chung – Dodge Demon Principal Exterior Designer, Chrysler Group. "The exterior design is simple yet bold, featuring an energetic combination of curves and intersecting planes."
The bodyside of the Dodge Demon main character line flows up and over the front wheel, then drops diagonally to an angular color-keyed vent on the rear fender that directs cooling air to the rear brakes. In similar fashion, the compound rear fender surface curves up and over the rear wheel, sweeping into a broad diagonal plane extending to the taillamp. The resulting muscular fender form projects boldly beyond the main body, underscoring that the Dodge Demon concept is a rear-wheel-drive machine.
The rear surface of the body is divided into three planes with two chamfered outboard planes, dominated by long, tapering trapezoidal taillamps. The taillamps sport translucent red inset lenses that surround LED back-up lamps.
Up front, the signature Dodge crosshair grille is stuffed into an aggressive, menacing, trapezoidal opening that thrusts boldly forward.
Set into elongated angled triangles, the projector headlamps, delineated by bright rings, are set into black chrome bezels, giving the front end mean-looking "eyes" that accentuate the grille opening. Encompassing the upper portions of the front fenders and sporting two recessed air outlets, the Dodge Demon's hood is hinged at the front, adding a just-for-fun performance-car look and feel.
Featuring an open-spoke design, the wheels are pushed to the corners of the body for a dramatic stance and capable performance. The 19-inch brushed aluminum wheels are set into assertive, asymmetrical openings that reprise the body's playful combination of curves and planes.
The beltline kicks up at the rear and into the higher deck lid contour, giving the lucky occupants an encapsulated, protective feeling.
"In the manner of timeless British sports cars, the interior of the Dodge Demon is purposely functional, not frivolous," said Dan Zimmermann – Dodge Demon Principal Interior Designer. "Everything relating to the driving experience is emphasized, while that which is not is made visually secondary.
"The well laid out instrument panel, for example, is familiar, yet modern. Everything you really need – the gauges, circular AC outlets, radio – is encapsulated in a cross-car brushed aluminum bezel that also accentuates the width of the cabin. Secondary controls and features, such as the HVAC knobs and the passenger-side glove box, are located below this bezel," Zimmerman added.
In a similar functional manner, the floor console is deliberately not a part of, or attached to, the instrument panel. The console is dominated by the squat ready-at-hand silver and black manual shift knob, and its leather boot is set into a bright trim ring. The wide, brushed aluminum console bezel also incorporates the recessed emergency brake handle, with the window switch gear, softly lit cup holders and 12V power outlet organized into a graphically unified shape. The upper portion of the instrument panel, including the cluster brow, is accented by a stitched seam with contrasting silver thread.
"Each of these features is set flush, or nearly flush, with the bezel surface so as to establish a 'clear zone' for the driver's shift arm in all seating positions, with nothing in the way of the driving experience," Zimmerman said.
The raised plateau at the rear of the console incorporates a covered storage bin – with a lid that serves as an armrest between shifts – while the portion of the console extending under the instrument panel has an open bin handy for incidentals.
The steering wheel employs an aluminum open-spoke design with each of the three spokes intersecting the small circular hub for a timeless sports car look. The wheel rim itself is brushed aluminum on the inside, complemented with stitched vinyl on the outer rim. Immediately forward of the wheel, the four-gauge cluster features classic white-on-black dials with graphics inspired by sports watches. Each circular gauge is set handsomely inside a finely detailed silver and chrome bezel ring, while gauge pointers are colored to match the exterior.
The doors feature durable, vertical grab handles, each anchored to a silver bezel housing the chrome door remote handle. The lower portion of each door features a stylish brushed aluminum bezel that encapsulates the large circular speaker grille and then drops sharply as it moves rearward to form the map pocket outer panel, mimicking a feature line on the car's exterior.
The Dodge Demon's seats feature contoured bolsters that are just high enough to provide support when cornering, yet do not hinder ingress or egress. Set in exposed low-gloss carbon fiber shells, the black seats with integral head restraints feature inserts of textured "Momentum" fabric mated to fabric bolsters, with specific sew lines accented by silver thread. Individual brushed aluminum and carbon fiber roll bars are positioned directly behind the bucket seats. With long seat tracks, there is ample storage behind the seats. Additional covered storage is provided in the bulkhead between the seats.
The Dodge Demon concept is an affordable Dodge sports car which merges brand cues of bold design and powerful performance with an open-air "fun-to-drive" attitude.
PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions are in inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted.
Engine: 2.4-liter petrol World Engine
Maximum Power: 172 hp SAE (128 kW) @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 165 lb.-ft. (224 Nm) @ 4400 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Overall Length: 156.5 (3974)
Overall Width (max. @ body): 68.3 (1736)
Overall Height: 51.8 (1315)
Wheelbase: 95.6 (2429)
Overhang, Front: 30.6 (777)
Overhang, Rear: 30.3 (769)
Curb Weight (estimated): 2600 lbs. (1179 kg)
Tire Size, Front/Rear: 58.7 (1491)
Wheel Size: 19 x 8 in.
Outer Diameter: 25.2 (640)
Exterior Color: Bright Amber Pearl
Interior Color: Carbon Black
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Zain 12:08AM (2/12/2007)
Looks like a cross between an S2000 and MX-5? IMHO, the front looks too gross for a roadster.
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MikeR 12:09AM (2/12/2007)
Anyone else sick of that front end (grill) design? I know car companies are supposed to have a theme to thier grill's but Dodge's leaves me flat.
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SkyMan 12:09AM (2/12/2007)
Hmmmmm...
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Petey 12:10AM (2/12/2007)
Why are they wasting their time with this when they still dont have a viable competitor for the Camry/Accord, Civic/Corolla, Fit/Yaris, etc.. get your priorities straight DCX.
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Dave 5:11PM (2/12/2007)
Cool concept, certainly fun for an auto show. I bet the designer drives a Z4 though, as many of the proportions and details are lifted directly from the BMW. I am an American and therefore find myself rooting for our native manufactures. Dodge, however, needs to reinterpret it's styling cues. The corporate front end looks cartoonish, unrefined and cliche'd in my opinion. The sort of semi boat tail look is also unsuccessful.
I doubt they'll make this car but if Dodge is to become a successful marque again they need to be drastic. Product like the new Avenger will only continue the downward spiral and force Dodge to compete purely on cost in the showroom.
Pity to see the company that made the LH cars fall so far.
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Big jim 12:13AM (2/12/2007)
the back looks like at Aston Martin
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jamey 12:21AM (2/12/2007)
that character line makes me think of early buicks and the fist gen couger, it just dosent seem to fit.
otherwise it looks great
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Jason 12:23AM (2/12/2007)
Great looking roadster. Solstice, Sky, now this.
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NoNameDenton 12:26AM (2/12/2007)
The front would need work, I do not think the Ram truck grille should go on cars, but I would not completely write off a Dodge roadster until I heard the engine options they will use to compete with the MX-5, Sky/Solstice twins, and now I will look to see Ford steal the Miata platform (MX-5 whatever name you prefer) and bring back the Conra name for it or something
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NoNameDenton 12:28AM (2/12/2007)
By engine options, I mean wait for the SRT version and seee what it has
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BCVW 12:38AM (2/12/2007)
Quite possibly one of the ugliest roadsters I've laid eyes on. It's a mishmash of designs and none of them go together well... A Frankenstein of a design.
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jj 12:48AM (2/12/2007)
Completely and wholly awesome.
There is NOTHING american car makers need more than to have a few names that stand out and are actually desirable. Now hurry up and build it!
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Bravo 12:50AM (2/12/2007)
the rear looks like a TT
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Northeaster 12:51AM (2/12/2007)
Is this the Joke of Day?
A small masculine looking car would be nice considering the Miata and Mini Cooper suffer from being to cute . . . but Demon's front grill is ridiculously large, and the rear wheel wells are excessively showy.
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NoNameDenton 1:04AM (2/12/2007)
When the rumors first started about Dodge showing this concept in Geneva, some people inside Dodge said it would be the perfect little brother the the Viper (Like people saying the Saturn Sky is like a mini Vette). So there is a movement within Dodge to build this thing, if it happens or not only time will tell, though if it does go to production I am sure some of the more exaggerated features will be toned down a bit.
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nagmashot 1:15AM (2/12/2007)
Sorry that is the most ugly roadster of the last years...
Front S2000 with a ugly grill added... that sideline from the front fender down to the rear wheel is from Seat Leon... the rear is Audi TT with the lights of a Aston Martin, the roll bars behinde the seets are copy from BMW Z4
Is that a other Mercedes SLK clone with a US sticker on the hood and a SLK under new designed clothes?
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MosquitoControl 1:28AM (2/12/2007)
I like it. I'm typically against corporate front ends, but I think it works here. As does the flare over the back wheel wells. The entire package is aggressive.
Someone mentioned the Z4, and the Z4 was nice at the time, from the A-pillars back. The front looked like a dead, bloated whale. Droopy, lifeless eyes. This could never be called a whale. Whale shark, perhaps, but there's menace in the headlights behind that wide mouth.
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NT 1:36AM (2/12/2007)
wow s2000 front and audi TT rear and slap that ugly truck grill and voila here comes the demon. like comment 4 said DCX should have their priorities straight before its too late for them...
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ruggels 1:35AM (2/12/2007)
bwaa hahah, built from the ground up? Doesn't share a platform with any other car? oooh I can read between those lines... they read 'won't make production'. Thanks but no thanks for the blue balls dodge.
Now, if this was actually, say, a viable production vehicle and had more power, i'd be very very excited indeed.
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ruggels 1:39AM (2/12/2007)
... i love the lines though, i wish they'd build something like this, with more power, and a bit lighter... the whole lotus/audi tt idea... i get the need to put a cheap (world) engine in an use cheap (heavy) materials... but I'd love to see some sort of vx220 type of roadster come of this. use the cheaper (less powerful world engine) on the bottom end (offer it to us under 20,000) and something a lot more powerful up top (as cutting weight wouldn't be cost effective on some of the cars but not all)... yes... do this.
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