Dodge To Unveil A Demon

DETROIT...Dodge will offer a new, 108-inch-wheelbase model coupe called "Demon" as a low price leader in its 1971 compact line.

Only one Demon model will be available with a performance engine and it will be called "Demon 340."

The Demon, aimed at the low price end of the compact market, follows in the Dodge marketing tradition of delivering to the motoring public a little bigger package for the price than competition.

It also gives Dodge a 1-2 punch in the compact field: the very successful Dart, and now--Demon.

Engines

The standard six cylinder engine in Demon will be a 198 cubic-inch Slant Six. A 225 cubic-inch Slant Six will be optional. Standard V-8 will be the 318 cubic-inch engine.

Demon and 1971 Dart will share front end sheet metal and grille pieces, but will feature separate interior and dash appointments. The rear side windows on the Demon will be of the pivot type.

"We expect the compact market to be at a million, two hundred thousand units by the end of the 1970 model year--up some 40 percent from 1969," said R. B. McCurry, Dodge general manager.

"Dodge will have a record sales year for its compacts. Our low line Dart Swinger Automatic sales accounted for 60 percent of the Dart sales and that line of Dodge cars took more than 15 percent of industry compact sales this spring."

"With the introduction of the Demon, we will have all segments of the compact market covered and the low end will be represented by a solid car with excellent performance, ride and handling characteristics -- a car you don't have to wear."

In contrast to some mini compacts, the 198 cubic-inch six cylinder engine in the Demon provides enough power to merge properly into high speed traffic on thruways, pass well on two lane highways and eliminates the need to read wind velocity reports before taking your car on the highways.

Big Trunk

A big feature is a 15 cubic-foot trunk capacity with a flat floor -- which compares favorably with some intermediate and medium priced cars, not to mention smaller compact entries.

Basic Specifications

Wheelbase 108"
Overall Length 192.5"
Width 71.6"
Height 52.5" Six-cylinder
52.6" V-8
52.8" 340 V-8
Track Front 57.5"
Rear 55.5"
Headroom Front 37.2"
Rear 36.5"
Legroom Front 41.6"
Rear 29.6"
Shoulder Room Front 55.4"
Rear 55.1"
Hiproom Front 57.2"
Rear 56.9"
Usable Luggage Capacity 15.9 cubic feet

Wide Variety of Features

A high line of luxury trim is available in Demon models with a myriad of interior and exterior colors offered along with cloth interior trims. An all-vinyl bench seat is standard.

Molded plastisol-applied head restraints will be standard and add a high degree of attractiveness to the interiors of a compact line. Vinyl bucket seats with integral headrest and center console are optional.

Eighteen exterior colors will be offered including five bright sporty colors -- Butterscotch, Citron Yella, Hemi Orange, Green-go, and Plum Crazy. Vinyl tops will come in Gold, Green, Black or White.

Standard drum brake sizes on Demon are 9" x 2 1/2" front, and 9" x 2" rear, and tires are 6.45 x 14".

On the Demon 340, a rallye instrument cluster is standard. Other standard items include a heavy-duty, rallye-type suspension. E70 x 14" tires and 3-speed, floor-mounted full synchronized manual transmission. Drum brake sizes are 10" x 2 1/4" front, and 10" x 1 3/4" rear.

Part Throttle Kickdown

A new part-throttle kickdown will be available with all automatic transmissions. The low speed kickdown enables the driver to gain extra passing or acceleration power with a slight depression of the accelerator.

The kickdown system automatically shifts the automatic transmission into second gear to provide passing power in the 10 to 40 mph range without the need to use full throttle.

Keyless Door Locking

A "keyless" door locking system is standard and enables the driver or passengers to lock the car without an ignition key.

New Tape Player

Heading a long list of trim and convenience options for Demon will be a Cassette stereo tape player and recorder. The new player-record system, an industry first, is offered as a floor-mounted option and provides a means to play Cassette tapes or record music from the car radio or the voice of the driver or passengers.

Evaporation Control System

The gasoline evaporation control system, which was standard on 1970 California cars only, will be installed as standard equipment.

This system prevents loss of fuel vapors from the carburetor and fuel tank to the atmosphere. These vapors are vented through lines to the crankcase by way of the crankcase air cleaner.

The vapors are then either stored in the crankcase, if the engine is not running, or are purged from the crankcase through the crankcase ventilation system into the engine where they are burned.

Dodge cars sold in California have a new emissions control feature. The reduction of nitrous oxides is accomplished by reducing vacuum spark advance on acceleration up to 30 mph.

The heart of this system is a solenoid valve for the vacuum line to the distributor which senses vehicle speed, manifold vacuum, and ambient temperature to determine the proper spark advance for optimum NOx control.

The emissions system meets California requirements while maintaining satisfactory hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission levels.

Compact Market To Remain Strong

"The compact market has increased by 50 percent in the last five years," McCurry said, "and in the 1970 model year the small car buyer (foreign, compact and sports compact) will account for one third of domestic car sales."

He added:

"With the influence of the young people entering the automobile market place, this segment of the market should remain strong."

"At Dodge we are getting 10 percent of the small car market and with the addition of the Demon, we expect to improve our sales position here considerably," McCurry concluded.


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