MX-5 Ripoff: Dodge Demon *sex*
02-13-2007, 01:29 PM
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MX-5 Ripoff: Dodge Demon *sex*
This car is actually pretty hot.. 2600 lbs.. the option of a 300 hp motor..
Begin article:
\\\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]
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.
Begin article:
\\\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]
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.
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02-13-2007, 01:50 PM
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I think it's pretty ugly. Looking at it, it's sort of like...why have one of those instead of a S2000 or a potential Mazdaspeed Miata. Which btw they need to hurry up on if they plan to keep competing with everyone for that market. Eveyone was like "hey this will do better than the MX-5" and then when it didn't were like....fine we'll make a turbo charger version or somthing. So hurry up Mazda and come up with your counter to their counter!
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02-13-2007, 02:37 PM
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Maybe it will look tough in person but it looks all wrong in that pic. To say they are after the Miata is ridiculous. They are after the big splash the Solstice/ Sky made. It's great that the small relatively light 2 seaters are making a come back. Too bad it will likely have crappy fit, finish, reliability and resale.
If they are fast and handle well the 300hp versions 3 years old w/ 30K for 1/3 of the new price could be a great buy.
If they are fast and handle well the 300hp versions 3 years old w/ 30K for 1/3 of the new price could be a great buy.
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02-13-2007, 03:00 PM
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Mazda better get that Mazdaspeed turbo 2.3 in the Miata ASAP. And for ***** sake don't repeat the 175hp mazdaspeed miata blunder. 250hp minimum. The dodge is fugly, but the engine is sweet.
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02-13-2007, 03:00 PM
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they should try to put that thing under wraps again, never to be released.
Honestly though, it seems like it has the potential to be a cool car, but it looks like a hunk of ****. Only a major major redesign could fix that butt ugly grille. The lights are way to s2000ish and theres too many angular features. Rounded off more, the car might look half way decent
Honestly though, it seems like it has the potential to be a cool car, but it looks like a hunk of ****. Only a major major redesign could fix that butt ugly grille. The lights are way to s2000ish and theres too many angular features. Rounded off more, the car might look half way decent
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02-13-2007, 03:53 PM
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It basically looks like the ugly offspring of a sex party involving a Viper, an S2000, a Crossfire and a Z4.
If they got rid of the truck grill, the pinched-on-the-trailing-edge wheel wells, the "Ooops, I crapped my pants" rear-end and the faux brake cooling ducts aft of the doors...then I might actually dig it. The interior certainly looks pleasing enough.
If they got rid of the truck grill, the pinched-on-the-trailing-edge wheel wells, the "Ooops, I crapped my pants" rear-end and the faux brake cooling ducts aft of the doors...then I might actually dig it. The interior certainly looks pleasing enough.
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02-13-2007, 04:10 PM
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"....uses no existing platform."
That means it will be years to get tooled up and in production, a base one will probably start around $3OK,and probably end up weighing closer to 3000 lbs than 2600. At least it won't be another pretty face.
That means it will be years to get tooled up and in production, a base one will probably start around $3OK,and probably end up weighing closer to 3000 lbs than 2600. At least it won't be another pretty face.
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