Dodge Demon Concept

Dodge is previewing its plan to jump into the affordable roadster market with this jaw-dropping concept set to debut in Geneva next month. We’re personally a bit miffed that this wasn’t shown in Chicago last week, but we’ll forgive Dodge because the Demon looks like a winner.

Last year, GM began sales of its own small roadsters, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, and they were met with great fanfare and sold briskly. The Demon, which is still just a concept, would join those two vehicles as an affordable sports car aimed at driving enthusiasts — and we’d guess it would also be priced near the same $21,000 mark.

Chrysler’s new global engine, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, produces just 172 hp — compared to the Solstice/Sky’s 177 hp — but the car weighs in at an estimated 2,600 pounds, versus the Solstice/Sky’s 2,860 pounds. Of course, all power goes to the rear wheels

The Demon could prove another victory for the average Joe enthusiast; it’s radically styled, but not as polarizing as the Dodge Viper. Check out the photos below and let us know if you think this is a winner.