Along with the introduction of the new Challenger that we’ve already reported the details of, LaSorda introduced the ultraluxury Chrysler Imperial concept that points heavily to a new production Chrysler flagship of the same name. Built on a wheelbase that’s 17 inches longer than that of the Chrysler 300, and six inches higher than the 300, the Imperial’s long, sleek shape is also dominated by near-vertical surfaces, both front and back, and huge 22-inch wheels are another design standout. A suicide door setup, which Chrysler calls “French doors,” allows a very wide opening to the luxurious interior, finished in Bay Brown, Birch Crème, and California burl wood with metallic accents throughout. A touch-pad screen is centered on the posh instrument panel. The rear-seat area is limousine-like, with LED lighting along the headliner and either electroluminescently lit fabric or overhead spotlights. Though we can definitely see the Chrysler influences in the Imperial, we also see some prominent Bentley and Rolls-Royce design attributes.
Power is of course provided by the group’s HEMI V-8, here providing 340 hp from 5.7 liters, running through a five-speed automatic transmission. Zero to 60 for the Imperial is estimated at 5.5 seconds, with an estimated top speed of 160 mph. -Bengt Halvorson
I really think this could work for Chrysler in the 40k+ segment. Give it a nice interior and some REAL leather…
I LOVE the 300C, really like the magnum, am excited about the challenger, luke warm over charger, and absolutely hate that. Funny how much a platform can vary
Even if you don’t like this you have to be happy if it gives us some good American cars to be proud of. I highly doubt GM would be as serious about reintroducing RWD cars into their mainstream lineup if it weren’t for DCX’s continued sucess with a platform that isn’t groundbreaking, but refreshingly simple.
I really think if GM makes their cheaper RWD platform as simple as the LX platform that they can spread it across their lineup to include a bigger Buick sedan of some sort. Now wouldn’t that be awesome to see again? It just makes me happy to see both companies finally understanding something. I hope it trickles down to their FWD sedans and smaller cars.
I just can not get over how small the dude inside looks. it’s kind of proportioned like an older rolls royce saloon. 5.5 secs on the stock 5.7L hemi? hmmm.
got more bling than the source awards, those mirrors could double as pinewood derby trophies.
it’s funny… if you would have asked me 10 years ago if I’d consider buying a dodge/chrysler I would have said hell no… but I’m really into their new designs. If I was in the market for a new (as in 2006 model) I’d be in line for a magnum/charger/300 stat
I agree. They have really started to come out with products that I like. I thought the K car I had would be the last dodge/chrysler product I ever owned.
The only American automaker to post a sales gain in 2005, DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group is looking for ways to grow. While there are some weak spots in the lineup, the company is nonetheless on a roll, analysts generally agree, as it enters 2006. Most of its factories are operating at or near normal capacity, so CEO Tom LaSorda is looking for ways to squeeze even more out of those plants, rather than adding facilities in a market with severe over-capacity issues. His goal? Add third shifts wherever possible and move increasingly to flexible facilities that can allow Chrysler to shift production to respond to swings in market demand. Adding that capacity “is free,” he said, at least if you don’t count the added workforce. Going to third shift operations could boost output to as much as 3.5 to 4.0 million, LaSorda said. The automaker isn’t likely to need that much any time soon, however. Sales last year just nudged the 3.0 million mark.
But added capacity will certainly be needed at a few key plants, such as the one in Brampton , Ont., building Chrysler’s rear-drive LX models. The 300 series is sold out and the biggest challenge for Challenger would be finding space on the line. The retro muscle car debuts in Detroit this week, and LaSorda said his team will be watching closely to see how strong the media and public react. But there’s no question that the automaker is strongly interested in finding a place in the line-up for Challenger. It’s far less likely to add the big Imperial, which was revealed on Sunday. The stretched version of the 300 was “nothing but a concept,” LaSorda stressed.
LaSorda was asked about the new joint venture with Volkswagen, which will take a version of the next-generation Chrysler minivan. VW’s global brand czar, Wolfgang Bernhard, hinted there could be future projects in store for the partners, and LaSorda cautiously agreed. “Obviously, we want to open the doors to more cooperation and work,” not only with Volkswagen, but other potential partners. LaSorda said that Chrysler likely couldn’t have developed its next-generation of small and compact cars without sharing development costs with the Japanese maker, Mitsubishi. And with the automotive market continuing to fragment, such ventures will be critical to building a business case for lower-volume products in the future.
