2010 Dodge Demon Overview 

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The Dodge Demon will ride on a platform jointly engineered with Mercedes. The Dodge Demon concept car weighs about 250   lb less than the Pontiac Solstice. The same basic chassis could be used for hatchbacks (for Europe), sedans, and other vehicles; a sedan or hatch version has been reported on as separate from the Caliber and China-car. The concept car itself uses a Viper rear suspension with a Caliber front suspension, but something more SLK-like is probably to be expected in production.

Character in Styling

The body side 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 tail lamp. 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 tail lamps. The tail lamps 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 you really need: the gauges, circular AC outlets, and radio are 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.

Like other affordable sports cars, the 2010 Dodge Demon wraps off-the-shelf mechanical components in a distinctive two-seat roadster package.

Dodge Hits a New Gear

We do not know whether the steering gear will be rack and pinion or recirculating-ball. Bob Sheaves wrote: "Recirculating ball can be just as viable and precise as a rack-and-pinion, due to the physical limits of attaching the inboard tie rod ends to the gear itself. There are only just so many positions available, without creating new gear housing, while a recirculating ball can be placed virtually anywhere needed and connected with a relay rod to the center link.

Low Cost and Maximum Fun

Remember, the Demon is the absolute lowest cost and maximum fun car that can be developed with available parts to keep engineering costs low. A custom gear from TRW or ZF will cost over $2.5M to design, develop, tool, and manufacture; money the Demon program does not have. The positive reasons to go to a rack and pinion are sprung weight reduction, less complexity, less tolerance stack up inherent in the design. The debits are geometric compromise when the rack to tie rod end attachment do not meet the needs of the suspension, cost, loading tolerance.

Chrysler is bound to undercut the competition, if only because Chrysler knows how to take cost out of a vehicle to meet a price point. In an interview with Wards Auto, Chrysler's Design Chief Trevor Creed said that the Demon is at the top of his agenda and that conditions are ideal for the car to get a green light. Chrysler has yet to release official plans to make the Demon, but it sounds as the car is on the right track to make production.

"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."

Power comes from a 172 horsepower 2.4 liter engine, offering peak torque of 165 pound-feet. A six-speed manual sends power to the rear wheels. Weight is estimated a 2600 pounds. Dodge officials say an SRT version could also be offered with a 300 horsepower four-cylinder from the Dodge Caliber SRT-4.

Conclusions

 For some history of the Demon, read about its origins. American roadster enthusiasts can only hope Dodge forges ahead with the Demon design, as the expected starting price is set to be a class-leading US$15,000 despite being powered by a 2.4-liter 172hp motor in base trim. Expect the Demon to hit American showrooms sometime in 2010. For more details on the Demon, click here.