07 Mar 07
DaimlerChrysler is in bullish positive-spin mode: despite recent massive job cuts and reports that the German end of the alliance is trying to divest itself of its financially precarious American partner, all is going well for Chrysler in Europe, apparently. Though Chrysler has never been a major player this side of the Atlantic, sales outside the US rose 15%, and Chrysler Europe had its most profitable year ever.
Bring on the Dodge Demon, then: if any new model is going to stimulate interest in the Chrysler Group, then this has to be it. Though the Chrysler 300C looks utterly fantastic, such a large car can only ever have a niche appeal; the Sebring fails to capture its charm, and neither the Dodge Caliber nor the Avenger (sister model to the Sebring) has the character of the Magnum super-estate.
Assembled from 'already-available components from the DaimlerChrysler toolbox' to keep costs down, the Demon is, says design chief Ralph Gillies, 'a serious exploration into the development of an affordable sports car.'
An MX-5-sized two-seater roadster with long clamshell-hinged bonnet and neatly curved tail-end, the Demon is fitted with DC's latest 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 172bhp and 165lb-ft. It's rear-wheel drive, suggesting that those parts from the DC toolbox may have come from the Mercedes SLK, via the Chrysler Crossfire. No bad basis from which to start, and with a kerb weight of just 1179kg, that 2.4-litre engine shouldn't have to work too hard.
Gillies promises 50:50 front-rear weight distribution for optimum handling. It's been styled to suggest plenty of performance, too: check out the deep front air scoops, raked windscreen and 19" wheels. 'A contemporary interpretation of its big brother, the Viper,' says Gillies, and we can't argue with that. The back-to-basics black leather and aluminium interior's been inspired by classic Brit sports cars, and there's no unnecessary clutter - a gesture worthy of applause.
Finished off in a Lucozade-lurid paint, the Demon makes a strong impact. It sounds as if it's under very serious consideration for production - and looks well worth giving the green light. Unfortunately, it emphasises just how awkward and ill-proportioned Chrysler's other new convertible, the Sebring coupe-cabriolet, is: this model - to go on sale in Europe with a diesel engine option - was on display on the other side of the Chrysler-Dodge stand. We'll take the Demon, thanks, and passengers be damned.
