Drivin' concept cars: Chevy Camaro Convertible and Dodge Demon
Yesterday was a busy day -- GM and Chrysler both gave me the opportunity to drive some of their concept cars, including the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible concept and the Dodge Demon concept.
Now, driving concept cars isn't quite as thrilling as you might expect. These cars are built as displays, not as drivers, so we have to keep the speeds low (less than 20 MPH... though I might have gone just a biiiiiit faster in the Demon, heh heh). Still, it's a great opportunity to get up close and personal, get some photos, and get some inkling about what the cars will be like when/if they make it to production.
In the case of the Camaro, it's a when. Chevrolet plans to introduce a production car based on the concept; it'll hit the showrooms as a 2009 or 2010 model. Check out photos of the Camaro Convertible Concept here.
In the case of the Demon, it's a very big if. Dodge currently has no platform on which to base the pint-sized rear-wheel-drive Demon, which makes building it an expensive proposition. Shame, because the Demon looks great and feels great, and with Chrysler's extensive convertible experience, I bet it'd give the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Pontiac Solstice a real run for their money. Demon photos here.
Oh -- our photo gallery thingamabob is now working, so as we discused yesterday, you can check out photos of the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR and 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
-- Aaron Gold
I’ll be happy as long as they don’t water-down the production cars too much. (New cars just never seem to look as good as the concepts when they hit production)
oh… Any news on the performance stats? How will they stand with their brand-mates? ie: Camaro vs. Corvette, Pontiac GTO? …or… Demon vs Charger R/T, SRT-8, Neon SRT-4 even?
OK, now I’m jealous. Seat time in the Demon? Not bad, Mr Gold… not bad.
R&T was talking like it was likely headed for production with a price tag around $18k or so – they’d sell a zillion of ‘em if that’s the case. I seem to recall that it was based on an existing platform, but I could be wrong.
If only Dodge would build the Demon! What a sweet looking ride…Like J Kyle said, mid to upper teens and they would sell plenty…Sign me up…
Andy — Way too early to tell what performance will be like. Obviously a V8 will fit under the hood, so the sky is the limit. At this same event, we also had some track time in a few GM Performance cars, including a GTO with the LS7 engine from the ‘Vette Z06 (something I’ll blog about in the next day or so). I’m sure the Camaro will also need to have a 6-cyl engine available as a base model to compete with the Mustang. And Chevy sure has plenty of V8s from which to choose.
Mr. Kiye — There’s been a lot of back and forth about the Demon in the press, but I just don’t see how it will all come together. I didn’t ask what the underpinning were (DOH!) but have read multiple things — Merc SLK, Viper, Caliber (??). Thing is, I don’t see an existing platform that would work — Merc SLK is too big and Caliber is FWD. Chrysler people as much as said they don’t have anything in their arsenal; they’d have to partner with another company. (If they’d consider a FWD or even AWD Caliber, well, that would make things a lot easier.) And with Chrysler possibly being for sale — well, who knows. I imagine Chrysler has to figure out their own future before they figure out the future of the Demon.
I sure do wish they’d build it, though.
I love the Demon…I’ve read that target pricing is in the 15k-16k range…now if Chryco can only be patient, keep their sights on getting this car right and not rushing it out into the market for the quick buck…it just my be the 2nd coming of the ‘64 1/2 Moustang!!! Remember what the Miata did for Mazda…total driver cred! Yes, if the “bean counters” can only shut up and give engineering the time and funding, America may finally have a break-through car instead of another rehash from the ‘66-’73 era.(camaro,shelby ’stang,challenger,etc)
By the way…I WANT AARON’S JOB!…it’s not fair that he doesn’t invite his loyal bloggers to these new car/concept intros!!!
Chrysler will be history before it puts out a sporty car people can afford and will buy!
The only question I have about the Demon concept is, if they produce it, will it have the same problems with road noise, ride, etc. I’d definitely buy it if it weren’t for that. BTW, they could save by doing it as a Charger coupe/convertible version.
The Camaro looks half decent, but leaves something to be desired as far as having a nice design. Also, why didn’t you get to drive the Challenger concept yet?
[insert confusion here]
RE: post #5:
the SLK is too big? (never though I would hear that statement)
I looked up the 2007 SLK dimensions and found that it is ALMOST IDENTICAL to the Demon concept…
SLK:
L: 160.7
W: 070.4
H: 051.0
Wheelbase: 95.7
DEMON:
L: 156.5
W: 068.3
H: 051.8
Wheelbase: 95.6
I am just wondering why would they build it on a completely new platform when they have one that is almost identical dimensionally? [insert cost savings here]
(PS: The older ‘98 SLK platform is currently used by the Crossfire)
Plus, it looks like it is just going to be a 4-banger. (2.4 liter)
SOURCE:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2007/112_news0700212_dodge_demon_concept/
BJay — Chrysler didn’t have the Challenger there, but BJ Killeen drove it a couple of months back — go here for pics and details.
Andy — Those extra couple of inches may not sound like much, but it makes a huge difference. Up close and personal the Crossfire feels like a much more massive car than the Demon. Don’t get me wrong, I *love* the Crossfire, but it doesn’t have that small, light Miata feel.
What I don’t get is – why not build it on a Caliber platform and make it all-wheel-drive?
You must have been out late or something, Mr Gold. “If they’d consider a FWD or even AWD Caliber, well, that would make things a lot easier.” Last time I checked, the Caliber was available in both FWD *and* AWD versions!
AndyS, The Demon should absolutely be a four cylinder. That kind of small sports car requires as low a curb weight as possible, and a V6 is added weight that they don’t need. If they want a performance engine, just pop in one of their turbo engines, and maybe even made an SRT version with the Caliber SRT’s engine.
Bjay – you’re worried about “road noise” with a roadster/sports car? I tell ya, today’s convertible drivers are wimps, sitting low in their high-beltline cars, barely seeing over doors, with windblockers to make sure that they don’t have to experience any of that dreaded hair in the wind. The horrors!
Stupid out-of-warranty fingers. I meant that if they would build a FWD or AWD Demon, that’d make things easier; I bet they could fit it onto the Caliber platform, or perhaps base it on an upcoming supermini.