Dodge CEO Hints at Affordable Sports Car

Dodge CEO Matt McAlear recently hinted at the possibility of a new sub-$30,000 sports car in a conversation with the ‘The InEVitable Podcast.’ As Dodge shifts its focus while maintaining its performance heritage, McAlear believes an affordable weekend car will be in strong market demand.

“I think there’s some kind of entry-level, back to that sub-$30,000 mark,” McAlear said. “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.”

While Dodge has focused on muscle cars and high-powered vehicles, McAlear suggested that the brand is looking at various inspirations for a potential new sports car. “I think there’s inspiration in seeing what some of the powersports companies have done. Not only the crazy side-by-sides, but the three-wheelers, the Slingshots, I think there’s something there.”

A Look Back: The Dodge Razor and Dodge Demon Concepts – 

Dodge has explored the idea of an affordable sports car before. In 2002, the automaker revealed the Dodge Razor Concept, a lightweight two-seater coupe designed to offer a pure driving experience at an estimated price of just $14,500 then (or about $25,900 when adjusted for inflation). The Razor featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 250 horsepower, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car had a minimalist design, taking inspiration from classic European sports cars, but it never made it to production.

Another notable concept came in 2007 with the Dodge Demon Concept. Unlike the Razor, the Demon was designed as a roadster, aiming for cars like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Pontiac Solstice. Powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 172 horsepower and a 6-speed manual, the Demon was an affordable, no-frills sports car showcasing Dodge’s ability to build an engaging yet budget-friendly performance vehicle. However, like the Razor, the Demon remained a concept and never saw a production version.

Future Prospects for a Dodge Entry-Level Sports Car – 

With McAlear’s latest comments, Dodge appears to be again exploring the idea of an accessible, performance-oriented vehicle. While specifics remain unclear, the CEO’s statements suggest that a new model could break from traditional muscle car molds while still maintaining Dodge’s aggressive styling and performance ethos.

“We need to get original like the Viper. It’s gotta come to market and be unique and different and Dodge,” McAlear emphasized. “Not a Corvette fighter, not a Mustang fighter. That’s why we’ve never said we want to go after Mustang or Camaro, right? We’ve always been in a straight line, different kind of performance.”