Dodge CEO wants Viper return, MX-5 rival

STELLANTIS brand Dodge may be having an epiphany as it deals with declining fortunes and heavy criticism for dropping the petrol V8 engine and is reputedly considering opportunities to build a reborn Viper and/or a “basic” sub-$US30,000 ($A46,000) sportscar – aka a Mazda MX-5 competitor.

Dodge appears to have developed the notion that something needs to be done to bring back the 112-year-old brand’s mojo thereby garnering more sales.

And that may mean revisiting 2007 when Dodge wowed Geneva Auto Show patrons with a fully working “killer” sportscar concept called the Dodge Demon (pictured).

Unlike many other concept cars production of the model was considered feasible due to its construction materials, components and design.

The two-door front engine roadster was powered by a Chrysler 2.4-litre petrol engine developing some 128kW and 225Nm (almost identical to the current MX-5) and weighed 1179kg.

Drive to the rear wheels was via a six-speed manual ‘box through 19-inch tyres.

The Demon’s dimensions were 3975mm long by 1735mm wide by 1316 high by 2428mm wheelbase – close to the current ND-series Mazda NX-5.

The potential for a new Dodge sportscar/roadster came to light in TheDrive publication quoting Dodge CEO Matt McAlear recently saying, “There is a market for an entry-level halo that's fun with no frills—almost like the original Viper”.

This came at roughly the same time as he admitted Dodge (and other Stellantis nameplates) were actively recharting the path of each brand and… “V8 is no longer a bad word around the company”.

Pundits in the US put the change of heart down to continual criticism after launching the six cylinder and electric Charger from customers who “just want big capacity petrol engines”.

The Driven reported McAlear’s admission that all the harshness “stings,” but he insists it’s (going EV) the right move while hinting at a V8 comeback which also leads us back to the potential of a new roadster.

Dodge would be keen to emulate the recent successes of high-power rear wheel drive performance cars from Chevy and Ford leading to questions about a new Viper that may now be a possibility, and the potential for Dodge to “build a sports car people can actually afford”, meaning something like the Demon.

When questioned further by TheDriven about the “need” for a new Viper, McAlear said he loved the original but was non-committal steering his answer to say, “I think there’s a market for two things. There’s a market for an entry-level halo and a top-of-the-line halo”.

Mr McAlear said of an entry level halo sportscar, “I don’t know what I’d compare it to, I think there’s inspiration in seeing what some of the power sports companies have done. Not only the crazy side-by-sides, but the three-wheelers, the Slingshots, I think there’s something there”.

“Everyone has so many hobbies these days, they want to spend their money on so many different things,” he continued.

“It’s tough to be all-in on one thing, put all my chips in one basket and say, ‘I gotta have that car’.

“It’s great for those who can afford it, but not all of us can or want to do that.”

But with the ‘cheapest’ Charger retailing for $US60,000 ($A93,000), the question is what can people afford?

And what does Mr McAlear mean by affordable?

TheDrive reported him saying, “I think there’s some kind of entry-level, back to that sub-$US30,000 mark”.

“I think there’s a market for people who just want to have that weekend car again, who would like a Viper, but don’t have that $100 or $120K,” he said.

“Something that doesn’t need all the safety features, doesn’t need the heated seats. Just a car.”

Was Mr McAlear describing an MX-5 or more precisely, the Dodge Demon and will it get the green light as part of a Dodge refocus?

Time will tell…