New Chrysler Imperial ?!

Check the latest Motor Trend for their cover story on the Challenger and
Imperial concept cars.

MT refers to the new Imperial concept as a $50,000 Phantom. The Imperial is
on a stretched 300C chassis, with a 123-inch wheelbase and a suspension
tuned for quiet, cushy refinement despite 22" wheels. With a length of 214
inches and a height that's 6 inches taller than a 300C, there's plenty of
room all 'round.

The nose, with its four distinct round headlights and billet grille, is
reminiscent of the older Bentley Turbo R, while the profile and tail are
reminiscent of the Phantom. The roof is fixed glass over the front seats,
and opening the suicide doors reveals there's no B-pillar.

It wouldn't cost Chrysler much to put this car into production. A proper
B-pillar and normal door openings and more reasonable sized wheels would
make this a nice new flagship....

 

If you thought the Pimp-mobile_300 couldn't get any more pompous or
garrish, wait till you see the Imperial.

Monty Burns - Chrysler has a car for you.

----------------

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/06detroit/preview.htm

Also at the entry level as far as price goes is the new Dodge Caliber,
which follows a theme set by products like the Toyota Matrix, Mazda5
and even Mercedes-Benz B-Class. If any proof was needed that
hatchbacks are truly back in fashion, this is it. Incidentally, the
Caliber is replacing the old Neon, which sort of faded away in recent
years, rather than being suddenly axed

http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2006/naias/preview/caliber_1.jpg

There will be no shortage of new concept cars in Detroit and L.A.
DaimlerChrysler will unveil a retro-inspired Dodge Challenger coupe in
Detroit. The long-expected two-door will take on the Ford Mustang
directly with a chassis derived from Chrysler's 300C/Magnum twins,
along with a 425-hp version of the HEMI V8 in the most thrilling
versions. Chrysler is saying the car is a concept only, but insiders
suggest the vehicle will be in production as early as 2009 on a new
version of the 300C platform.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/photos/2006/naias/preview/challenger_1.jpg
http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0601_dodge_challenger_concept/
http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_dodge_challenger_k04_900.jpg
http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_dodge_challenger_k03_900.jpg
http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_dodge_challenger_k02_900.jpg
http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_dodge_challenger_k01_900.jpg

Chrysler Imperial Concept

Rumour has it that another blast from the past may emerge at Detroit
in the shape of a Chrysler Imperial concept to be shown off.
Apparently spun off from the Chrysler 300C body, the
stretched-wheelbase Imperial concept is said to evoke a Rolls Royce
Phantom in its styling direction.

Chrysler's surprise entry at the show is this high-luxe sedan concept
that revives a much-abused nameplate from the automaker's past. Built
on a stretched Chrysler 300 platform, the Imperial is, of course, Hemi
V-8 powered and rear-wheel drive. But the chassis tuning prioritizes
ride comfort over handling. Not only is the Imperial considerably
longer than the 300, but it's substantially taller as well, for a more
upright seating package and greater interior space. The suicide doors
and the shape of the side window opening are both a rather blatant
ripoff of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. More than a mere flight of fancy,
we expect that if the Imperial doesn't elicit too much giggling,
Chrysler will add a full-luxury range topper like this to its lineup.
Priced in the low $40,000 range, it would go up against the Cadillac
DTS and Lincoln Town Car--and to try and extend the brand's celebrity
cred beyond the 300C.

While Chrysler has already confirmed that it will have a Dodge
Challenger concept for Detroit, the company's been considerably more
tight-lipped about another concept that could be on display at Cobo
Hall. An anonymous tip to TCC says a Chrysler Imperial concept will be
shown off in Detroit, reviving the nameplate for the most luxurious
Chrysler vehicles that died away in the 1990s. Drawn off the 300C
body, the stretched-wheelbase Imperial concept is said to evolve the
300C in a Rolls Phantom direction-much as the current 300C has been
dubbed the "baby Bentley."

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2005/12/28/new-chrysler-imperial-images-a-mini-rolls-royce/
http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-images/media/dec28imp_3.jpg

2007 Chrysler Aspen

Evidently jealous of the success of the Buick Terraza and the Mercury
Mountaineer, Chrysler has created its own badge-engineered entry into
the stagnant big SUV market. The division has plucked a nameplate from
what it must hope is a forgotten 1970s compact and slapped it onto a
chrome-dipped Dodge Durango to give Chrysler dealers an SUV to sell.
(Although we thought they were supposed to sell Jeeps, since so many
Chrysler and Jeep stores are paired.) Expect the Aspen to get the
Durango's two V-8s, a 235-hp 4.7 liter and a 335-hp 5.7 liter. It goes
on sale this fall.

 

Agreed Monty! The side view is a blatant copy of the RR. The rear view
just doesn't match the car and not attractive at all. But the front
end...OMG...what a POS! Looks like one of those cars that the Chinese tried
to copy and miserably failed. I certainly hope these pictures are very
rough drafts. Still can't believe they would release pictures like this.
Truly one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen. Definitely the car for pimps
and wanna-be pimps. Lincoln nor Cadillac need not worry about this car
cutting in on their sales.

===========================

 

For that amount of money I'd like to see an electronic suspension, I don't
like to hear the words cushy and suspension in the same sentence.

 

Garish: (1) Marked by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy.
(2) Loud and flashy

Where on the Imperial concept is there anything garish? The concept was
brown with no chrome anywhere and just a billet grille. Can't get less
flashy than that.

Anyway, I hope they'll make some adjustments to the shape. The 300C is
remeniscent of Bentleys and I think creating almost a direct copy of the
Bentley Turbo's nose is just unwise. Why not just refine the 300C nose in
some fashion? I still haven't seen a pic of the rear of the car, just the
front and profile views, so it's hard to judge the rear, but they should
really stick to a refinement of the 300C tail. They've got good stylists,
why copy anything?

Maybe they just threw it together quickly to gauge interest in an Imperial.

In a production model, the B-pillar would surely return and the suicide
doors would surely vanish. I can just see the lawsuits lining up owners and
passengers who got hurt and want rake in the dough.

 

Whups there's a chrome strip bordering the windows, my bad. Garish like
crazy!

 

What's wrong with clamshell opening doors? They certainly easier to
get into and out of! I get into my 1940 Chrysler 4 door very easily.
Seriously, trucks and other vehicles are going to center opening doors
again, I think they should have stayed with them ( after bumping my
head too many times on the sharp edges of modern four door cars )

 

Looks OK, but:
I can see from the picture an aspect of body design that is sub standard.
The rear door edge forms the front of the rear wheel well.

It seems that this aspect of body design has come from GM.
It was on the Sybring and Ford also uses it. Cheaper construction is the
only I can see for this.
Ford at least protects the door seal with a plastic moulding.