DECwakeboarder Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 AutoBlog - 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. So what do you all think? Personally I'm glad to see even more competition for the Miata since I'm somewhat in the market for one. Hopefully they can pull things together on this and get something pushed to production...maybe DCX will find their way into the big 3 eventually? (or Ford will fall from the big 3, either way ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 news flash, ford is #4 NOW. DCX is #3. the mazda may be it's closest competitor, but lets not forget the flop of a rival that GM put out in the form of the pontiac solstice and saturn sky. in fairness dodge has been doing much better with the latest incarnations of their products. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DECwakeboarder Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 The latest I've seen put the 2 about equal for #3 (Depending on how many subsidaries are included, I'll admit I didn't look too into it though)...The Solstice/Sky were horrid cars that completely went against what they were supposed to be (small sports cars are for handling, not straight lines GM...although they do seem to be doing decent) and Mazda needs some good competition. The S2000 is too expensive to be in the same bracket (or was...I think 2006 or 07 may have been the last year) so hopefully this new Dodge (if it or something like it comes) will bring some direct competition to it. They dropped the ball on the Razor, but it did show their intent to break into the market that the Miata is dominating right now. I love that DCX has dropped the toy/girly look of the Miata though, they've taken something that was typically thought of as an old man/woman's car and added some aggressive styling to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoArmistead Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 It looks like a Miada Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DECwakeboarder Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 Well lets hope that DCX can come up with something that will outperform the Miata sometime soon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 2006 numbers put DCX up over Ford by something like 12,000 total vehicles... VERY small margin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
94Camaro Posted February 12, 2007 Posted February 12, 2007 Well lets hope that DCX can come up with something that will outperform the Miata sometime soon You mean like...oh...the Chrysler Crossfire? Last I knew it stomped the miata up, down, and sideways. As for this Demon thingamajig. The back half is all Crossfire and the front half is all baby Viper. Surely they could be a little more original... I also don't know what you need a six speed tranny for when you only have 170hp and similar amount of torque... Oh well, at least they're trying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverfox Posted February 13, 2007 Posted February 13, 2007 all i could think of was: Honda S2000! reasonably similar... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrascope Posted February 13, 2007 Posted February 13, 2007 (edited) the six speed is for the srt 4 version with 300hp that is predicted @ 94Camaro Edited February 13, 2007 by spectrascope Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayMeow Posted February 13, 2007 Posted February 13, 2007 So what do you all think? Personally I'm glad to see even more competition for the Miata since I'm somewhat in the market for one. Hopefully they can pull things together on this and get something pushed to production...maybe DCX will find their way into the big 3 eventually? (or Ford will fall from the big 3, either way )Miata is a chick-car, and the Demon certainly is not, so I don't know if I'd say it's competition with a Miata. The Demon looks really slick...love the grill and the interior looks real nice as well.all i could think of was: Honda S2000! reasonably similar... Maybe if you're using the term "reasonably" and "similar" very loosely...you know, like that they're both 2-seat convertibles . I mean seriously, the lines, shapes and details are nothing alike.EDIT: I've been looking at them closely some more, and trying to find anything "reasonably similar" apart from what I mentioned, and I'm sorry, but I just don't see even the slightest similarities in the two. I think you need to get your eyes checked Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverfox Posted February 13, 2007 Posted February 13, 2007 well i think they look similar. sure, 2 seat convertibles can only look *so* different, but you can't deny those lights for a start... it's more of a front-end similarity. the back arches are clearly different. of course you don't think it looks similar. it's my opinion - i'm not saying it's fact. to say they look nothing alike is a bit unreasonable though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puck Posted February 13, 2007 Posted February 13, 2007 I say this as kindly and open minded as I can : Miatas are garbage. As a car manufacturer I would be ashamed for my car to even be put in the same sentence. Even with 300hp, the torque from a non supercharged 4cyl does not warrent a 6sp tranny. I guess if its becuase of a very steep first gear for very quick acceleration, and a second overdrive 6th for highway gas milage it would worth having. I am not fond of those style of "chick cars", but I do like it more then its import competition. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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