Click on the Demon for a gallery of high-res images suitable for wallpaper
In conjunction with the preview of its 2008 models, Chrysler invited us out to their proving ground in Chelsea, MI to photograph all of their latest concept cars. The only car we hadn't seen before was a rally-prepped Dodge Caliber that designer Ralph Gilles drove in the Targa Newfoundland. Also on hand were the Chrysler Nassau, Jeep Trailhawk and Dodge Demon, which we saw on the auto show circuit this past winter.
The Chrysler Sebring that was shown last fall at SEMA was joined by the wildly popular Jeep JT pickup and Wrangler Unlimited Ultimate, which will both be shown this fall at SEMA. The concept vehicles were arrayed around the handling loop at the proving ground and we were given free reign to shoot for the next couple of hours. Even though we've seen most of these machines in the past, it was nice to see them outside in the sunshine on a beautiful summer evening. If you're in need of some new wallpaper for your desktop, peruse these galleries and take your pick.
More Chrysler Concept galleries can be found after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SSBR @ Jun 21st 2007 12:25PM
Can someone call a exorcist? The Demon looks like a defective love-child of the Viper.
Will @ Jun 21st 2007 12:26PM
If you listen closely, you can hear my 300C cry...
What is this crap? Seriously, you have a runaway success like the 300, and you have the Crossfire, of which you can't sell. Were I looking for elements to remodel the entire lineup, I think I'd choose the former for inspiration, wouldn't you?
Andrew @ Jun 21st 2007 2:08PM
i think the demon is pretty good looking. i really liked the crossfire. apparently not many other people did =D
thetruth @ Jun 21st 2007 12:37PM
There is only ONE of these vehicles Chrysler should build, the Jeep JT, cool vehicle and would sell. The Demon, Sebring, Nassau, Wrangler Unlimited Ultimate (ha ha), Trailhawk (sell it to Hollywood for a Batman movie) are crap.
Brad @ Jun 21st 2007 12:52PM
They should jump on the Jeep pickup quickly because I think other makers are about to enter that segment and they need to build on the success of the Wrangler.
The Demon is ok but that front grille needs to shrink up a bit. I liked the Copperhead better as a small convertible.
Mike @ Jun 21st 2007 1:25PM
The rear end of the Demon is so hot.
If they know what is good for them they will send that car to production as-is with obnoxious performance numbers and start working on a coupe version....
tbyron @ Jun 21st 2007 1:45PM
A rally-prepped Caliber? Why not use either the Patriot or Compass? Same platform. And, they could add a whole new dimension to the "Trail Rated" tagline and give one of those products a dose of much-needed credibility.
Picture an ad:
- [camera pans over rolling hills with wind-blown grasses and slows to show a dirt road cresting a hill]
- voiceover: "There's Trail Rated and then there's THIS kind of Trail Rated"
- [a loud, rally-prepped Jeep Compass appears over the top of the hill, traveling at 90+, and flies 100 feet down the road before disappearing in a cloud of dust]
- voiceover: Jeep
Derek @ Jun 21st 2007 7:25PM
The rally car was built for tarmac, not gravel FYI.
Boggled @ Jun 21st 2007 2:22PM
Automobile Magazine had an interesting article on the Demon concept car this month. Apparently Chrysler let the writer drive it harder than most concept/pre-production cars are allowed, and subsequently it started to have brake failure during an 80 mph turn (yikes) along with other problems. Chalk it up to continuing development, I suppose, but the author still really liked the vehicle as a prime competitor to Mazda's MX-5 class dominance. He didn't seem to have an optimistic view of the car making it all the way to production, however, which would be a shame if it really is that good. I've always considered the Miata/MX-5 to be one of the best value-oriented roadster examples ever created, but it's rounded figure has always turned me off. I would love to see similar performance come from a car with the body of the Demon.
Andy @ Jun 21st 2007 3:19PM
The Demon is growing on me; I just fret over the Dodge build quality.
Stephen @ Jun 21st 2007 6:07PM
It's too bad the rally version on the Caliber has an infinitely superior interior to the production version.
thetruth @ Jun 21st 2007 7:43PM
Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky will outsell that Demon forever, try again. Dump all the rest in this article except the Jeep JT, build it NOW!, dump the Compass and Patriot in current lineup, ridiculous tries at something, nobody knows at what but dump them, build the Jeep JT NOW!
VincentinBrooklyn @ Jun 21st 2007 11:16PM
The Demon is a nice ride and needs to go into production. The SEMA front end really alleviates the problems I was having with the Sebring. That needs to be the standard front fascia.
javier.e.trevino @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:13AM
I like the Demon.. The Lines are Simple, Mean, and Clean... on the Road & Track issue I was reading a few months ago said Dodge plans on keeping it with a starting price point at $15k that'll be GREAT!! because to me personally that was the problem with the Crossfire.. it was about $10k too expensive.. as far as the SEMA Sebring is concerned.. I agree with Vincentinbrooklyn.. but it's not the front I didn't like.. it was the back end.. I always thought it was too short.. and high.. with the lower body kit.. it lowers the rear end and at the same time gives the car a more agressive stance.. and my response to the Jeep JT is... it's nice build it yes.. but they don't have to drop anything.. Right now Jeep wants and needs variety in their Portfolio.. which is why they have so many out right now.. up until a few years ago all you would see is the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee and that was about it... yeah there was a few other trucks and other special things but never should there be a Jeep sedan or sports coupe.. if that ever happens this world is comming to an end.. but I think Chrysler know what a Jeep is and stands for and everything behind it's heritage.. so I don't really think we have to worry about that.. I think I'll end this with this.. We have to remember these are concept vehicles we're debating on right now.. and one of these is a SEMA vehicle.. which has nothing to do with actual production Sebrings.. VW recently fully supported a W12 engine to be put into one of their GTI and I'm 100% sure they aren't going to put that into production.. so until it's released from the head honchos @ Chrysler that these are going into Full Production.. I wouldn't be to concerned with the whole thing.
snakesausage @ Jun 23rd 2007 4:17PM
Jeep really needs to rethink the TJ, the bed rails are much too short and make the whole truck look unbalanced. This needs to be offered with a I4 or V6 diesel and a 6 speed manual and they will sell at least one truck... :)
Mark @ Jun 28th 2007 9:56PM
Chrysler is on the right track with the Dodge Charger and the Challenger. They should continue with reviving the past with models such as the Roadrunner,Duster ect.. The styling cues are timeless and would put the company back on track. Look at the Mustang, Ford has kept this model around for ever and maintained its roots. Even now the consumer has a choice of equiptment levels as it did back in the 60's which made it available to many and kept sales up. Look up this privite designer and his ideas, Chrysler should put him in there design dept. Doug Schramm, www.creatingthelie.com he has a greatblend of the old and the new and would have a greater appeal to the automotive public and put real styling back autos instead of a reshaped jellybean.