Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge
Chrysler design chief wants the Demon, bad
Chrysler has been through a lot in the past 18 months, including an ad campaign that touted the company's German engineering prowess, three CEOs, and two ownership groups. Now that the company is private, Chrysler would like to reinvent itself as an American automaker. While the Pentistar has canceled the hideous and un-American looking Imperial (actually, we don't know what planet the Imperial came from), the Auburn Hills, MI-based company does have an all-American concept that would help improve the company's image. The Dodge Demon combines aggressive, Viper-like styling and MX-5 proportions with the idea of charging a paltry $15,000 for the right of ownership.
Right now there is no bigger proponent of this roadster than design chief Trevor Creed, and he's willing to fight publicly for his pet cause. Creed told Wards Automotive that the "conditions were right" for such a vehicle, and with Cerberus' new ownership, the private equity group could make a lot of friends inside and outside Chrysler by making the Demon a reality. When we drove the Demon, we were amazed by the positive vibe that the little gold roadster carried. While it's a small, economical, and fun vehicle, it looks the part of a more refined, expensive sports car. We're with you, Trevor. Build it!
[Source: Wards Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gary Blomquist 12:38PM (8/18/2007)
Go for it!!!!
Looks much better than the Solstice/Sky Platform IMO.
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Tommy 10:50AM (8/20/2007)
I don't think it looks as good as Sky/Solstice or TT, but it definitely beats the ultra-femme MX-5. If it can pack the 2.4L world engine @ 170hp, keep the concept interior and actually sell for $15-$17k it'll be a monster hit. Demon's a cool name, too.
Preston M 12:41PM (8/18/2007)
I know finesse is not Dodge's thing. So if they make it a SRT4 all will be forgiven.
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Larry 12:43PM (8/18/2007)
Actually, I believe he wants it "badLY!" More important, good communication skills are necessary (NOT "more importantLY!")
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MKIV 12:51PM (8/18/2007)
This will be a cool ride with ~200 hp and ~2500 lbs. Good looking car.
naggs 1:26PM (8/18/2007)
build it, not everyone likes it, thats how you know its good.
dont forget to build the lighter, faster, cheaper, safer, better looking and much more practical coupe.
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XJ 1:26PM (8/18/2007)
Chief designer of the '03 Viper is Japanese. Chief designer of this Demon is Korean. It's only a matter of time Dodge uses a Chinese to design one of their sports car. Looks good though.
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Dausman 1:48PM (8/18/2007)
Trevor Creed..... no matter how bad or badly you want the Demon, it important when you build it, to build it right the first time....it should equal to or better than its competition....build quality into every part and component......build quality into the entire machine as a whole...build it to last...keep the price reasonable and you should sell it with no problem to a lot of "kids" of all ages. Don't compromise.
Then, continue to improve the Demon as innovative technology allows...let it evolve into a/the leader in its class.
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seoultrain 1:20AM (8/19/2007)
for $15,000, I suspect they will make a ton of compromises. That's just an unreasonable target. Why can't they make a great roadster for 20k instead of a half-decent one for 15k?
geo.stewart 1:57PM (8/18/2007)
yes, we all want it, and want it to come from the Pentastar, not the Pentistar...
Seriously, bring it on. A nice little American runabout. Its truly ridiculous that Mazda has been allowed to run this profitable niche by itself for so long.
the recent Solstice Sky is a slightly bloated version in that its 450lbs heavier, bigger in all ext. dimensions, and yet the interior is roughly the same in size. Not sure that translates to something as tossable as the miata...
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Justin 2:54PM (8/18/2007)
Can't wait for this car as a fun light economical drivers car, I'd say if you can keep it on par with the quality of the solstice/sky/miata but maintain the $15k pricing and with lighter weight than the kappa twins, then Dodge will have something on their hands.
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nastinupe 5:41PM (8/18/2007)
Come on... do you guys really think that this car could cost $15,000? What are ya'll smoking? The Neon wasn't even that cheap if it had any decent options on it... and that was 5 years ago!
This car will be no cheaper than $18,000... and that's stripped.
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TIMMAH! 5:45PM (8/18/2007)
Wow, what a totally fugly grill!
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snakesausage 5:55PM (8/18/2007)
I agree, build it!Build it to be about 1000kg, RWD, and power it with a direct injection 4cyl. that makes 200+HP and gets high 20's MPG.
I do have one correction:
"The private equity group could make a lot of friends in side and outside Chrysler by making the Demon GLADIATOR a
reality"
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R0v3r 6:04PM (8/18/2007)
Hidieous.
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Sahil 7:02PM (8/18/2007)
I would buy it, but I don"t need a new car, considering I already just got one.
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Mike 8:14PM (8/18/2007)
Stupid grille
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Jack 10:09PM (8/18/2007)
The styling needs some tweaking, especially that grill.
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ttruck 11:46PM (8/18/2007)
Some have made it point to say the grille is ugly, but it's Dodge's trademark grille, I totally agree with Dausman, if and when they build it, build it with quality, don't have a plant in Mexico or China build it, the Chinese will paint it with a lead based paint! Have an American team build it, then we can call it a true American built car, but make sure it's built by the best that Chysler has.
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AdamVIP 10:31AM (8/20/2007)
At 15k there will be shortcuts. Its just not realistic to expect the world for 15k. Im sure it will be fun to drive at 15k but it wont have any features like A/C Power windows/locks, leather seats etc. It will be a totally stripped base model that will also not be sporting an srt motor. Expect to pay around 30 for a fully loaded srt package.
I drive a Solstice GXP and I welcome the demon because as soon as its realeased GM will free up some power out of the GXPs 2.0.
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