Back in 2006 and 2007, gas prices were on the rise and while the Dodge Challenger was headed to production after the introduction of the 2006 concept car, the DaimlerChrysler team was looking at a different kind of performance car. Rather than creating another competitor for the Corvette or Camaro, DCX designed the 2007 Demon Roadster Concept shown here.
As you can see, it is a compact roadster with seating for two and an exterior design that is distinctly Dodge, featuring the crosshair grille and relatively comparable lines to those of the Viper. While it clearly wasn’t modeled after the Viper, this car was thought to serve as an option for those who wanted a strong-handling sports car that didn’t cost as much as the V10-powered supercar.
Turbo Power
Under the hood of the 2007 Dodge Demon Roadster Concept is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder mill that creates 172 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque, with the power being sent to the wheels by means of a proper 6-speed manual transmission. While those power numbers seem low, at 2,600 pounds, the Demon was slightly heavier than the Mazda Miata, but it also packed a bit more horsepower and considerably more torque.
While it is no muscle car, the 2007 Dodge Demon Roadster Concept would have been a great option in an era where cars like this were flourishing. Dodge focused instead on the Challenger, Charger and Magnum with big Hemi power while the car shown here would continue to be shown in the coming years as a past styling study. Years later, Fiat would roll out the 124 Spider that is actually based on the Miata, but this great-looking concept never made it past the auto show stage.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
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