The 2007 Dodge Demon Concept Was The American Miata That Never Was

Dodge/Stellantis

American-made sports activities automobiles are a curious class within the total market. There’s fairly a little bit of distance between comparatively accessible muscle automobiles like Mustangs and Camaros and almighty supercars just like the Dodge Viper or Ford GT. For numerous cultural and technological causes, there’s simply not that a lot within the area between them. That hasn’t been for lack of making an attempt, nevertheless. American carmakers have made a number of makes an attempt to wean U.S. motorists off fuel-guzzling large iron in favor of the quick, economical roadsters that fare so nicely in European and Asian markets. 

None has ever received America’s coronary heart: reasonably than shopping for native, U.S. gearheads are likely to get their speedy two-seaters from Asia. The Nissan Z-series, Toyota 86, and numerous fashions of Mitsubishi and Hyundai, amongst others, have stuffed that area of interest over time, together with considered one of America’s hottest international fashions — the Mazda MX-5 Miata. 

Dodge/Stellantis

Per official gross sales stats, the Miata is not simply an American favourite; it is one of many best-selling sports activities automobiles of all time (per Garage Dreams). That being the case, it is hardly stunning an American producer tried for a homegrown competitor to run down the mighty Miata. The 2007 Dodge Demon idea was that competitor, designed from the bottom as much as outperform its Asian rivals at an accessible worth. Here’s what occurred.

Dodge/Stellantis

The Dodge Demon wasn’t the primary American trip to problem the mighty Miata. The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky each slotted into that market phase and loved cheap buy-in (through IGN). The Demon is vital as a result of it went one higher. It did not intend to play alongside however really to outperform the Miata in nearly each respect. Its 2.4-liter V4 put down 172 horsepower and 165 foot-pounds of torque, no small achievement in a automotive with a curb weight of simply 2,600 kilos, as detailed by Stellantis North America within the authentic press launch. When the Demon debuted on the Geneva Car Show, it turned heads, not least as a result of it wasn’t the standard idea automotive mockup. The mannequin at Geneva was a completely operational automobile. Several visitors even obtained to offer it a spin.

Dodge/Stellantis

In the top, like so many promising ideas, the components that labored in opposition to the Demon have been nicely outdoors of its management. It was launched on the finish of the less-than-spectacular DaimlerChrysler period of Dodge’s enterprise when even diehard American drivers had begun to whisper that the glory days of home automotive manufacturing have been over. With cash brief after the ill-fated merger and questions on whether or not demand would ever recoup prices, Dodge ultimately elected to save cash and hold the Demon in chains.

That stated, the title at the least has gotten a great airing since. Dodge gave the Demon title to the drag-race spec Challenger, a daft 840-horsepower beast with a quarter-mile underneath 10 seconds (through Motor1). It might not be the frequent man’s all-around roadster that the 2007 Dodge Demon was meant to be, however at the least its title is on the market burning asphalt.