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Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and Jeep Concept Cars

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Specific concept cars (newest to oldest)

Chrysler concepts

Dodge concepts

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Jeep concepts

plymouth howler concept car

Plymouth concepts

Why and how do they make concept cars?

Concept cars are made for many reasons, largely to get a visible, tangible look at a design before production so its feel can be evaluated, possible problems can be foreseen, and so reactions of non-gearheads can be judged. Sometimes, concepts test particular ideas - for example, colors and materials, controls and dashboard layouts, and the like. Those ideas can be rather subtle and hidden.

Other concepts are designed to help designers think out of the box. One example of that is the Jeep Treo, a study to consider what cars might be like when fuel cells are common (if they become common), and how that would affect styling. Without a large engine in front, for example, the Treo allows drivers to actually look through the grille.

Concept cars can be divided more precisely. Pre-production cars like the Challenger, Prowler, and Viper were all production-based concepts dressed up in doodads and geegaws to hide the production intent. A “true” concept is a styling, engineering, or manufacturing excercise that tests out consumer reaction to various ideas and is not a specific model production intent vehicle. For example, the Renegade pickup was actually a 2008 minivan concept.

Driving concept cars is a fascinating experience because you begin to realize why they did things - the old question of "what the #*$#@*&!^! were they thinking?" is answered. Designs that seem over the top become reasonable. However, before the expensive concepts are driven by outsiders, they usually get some form of mechanical limiter so the engine can roar but the car won't move. The exceptions in our experience were the Sling Shot, a rebodied smart car, and the 2.4-turbo equipped, five-speed Pronto Spyder, which would have been an amazing Plymouth had it been produced.

History of Chrysler concepts

Hans Riemenschneider wrote: The '41 Thunderbolt was designed by Alex Tremulis (a.k.a. Tucker Torpedo). It had a one-piece retractable hardtop. Five were built, four survive.

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept carRichard Wagner wrote: The 1941 Chrysler Newport with LeBaron design similar to the BMW 328 may actually be the missing link to this list of concept cars and dare I suggest, an inspiration to the final design of another classic, the 1948 Jaguar XK-120. Photo courtesy Martin Link.

David Ryan wrote: We at the shop have the official 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual-cowl Pheaton Pace Car (non-hiding headlights). I had to fab the bumperettes for it. The car is currently green; Walter P. Junior didn't appreciate the silver colour, so he had it painted to his liking. The doors and half the body are made of aluminum, wood structure, the rest is steel, totally ahead of its time.

Hans Riemenschneider wrote: The amazing Chrysler Norseman featured a cantilevered roof which did not require A-pillars. Intended to be the premiere show car of 1957, it went down with the Andrea Doria in July of 1956 en route from Ghia in Italy.

Other concepts

Chrysler TwoPlace LeBaron

Ric DiDonato wrote: I'm a 1986 Chrysler LeBaron owner and frequent visitor to your site (a photo of my car's engine is on the 2.2 engine page). I've attached a photo of the Chrysler Two-Place concept of 1983. The Two-Place name is derived from the fact that this is a two-seater. The rear area is covered with a hard shell which contours to the headrests similar to the early 1960s Ford Thunderbird sport convertibles. I think it's interesting to note the style and elements that were later used on LeBarons and Reliants, particularly the rounded edges used on the 1986 K bodies, and the grill treatment. It's also interesting to note the Mercedes SL convertible styling.

chrysler two-place concept car

Jeep Commander 2

The Grand Cherokee-based Commander 2 has a hybrid-electric fuel cell powertrain and dual electric motors which increase its equivalent of gas mileage by 12 mpg. As with the Intrepid ESX, it runs on electricity generated by the fuel cell, which is fueled by hydrogen from an on-board methanol reformer. Methanol eliminates the need for large hydrogen storage tanks. The battery captures energy normally lost during braking. Despite a light-weight plastic body, which cuts body weight nearly in half while saving manufacturing costs (with near total recyclability), the Commander 2 is 5,700 lb, due to the heavy powertrain. It is seven inches wider than the standard Grand Cherokee. (1998?)

The Plymouth Pronto (1997)

The affordable five-door four-passenger 1997 Plymouth Pronto concept sedan was, according to John Herlitz (VP of Product Design) "another clever response to Plymouth's calling for unique, affordable transportation...Before setting out to create Pronto, we gathered guidelines and specs for designing traditional four-passenger sedans. Once we studied all of this information, we threw it out and built a new vehicle from the ground up for our next generation."

Pronto had a spacious interior, roll-back fabric roof, and distinctive stand-alone bumpers. Its tall architecture seats passengers higher within the vehicle and gives them more of a command-of-the-road feeling. Styling was "New Plymouth:" "Much in the same fashion that we seasoned the Dodge brand with Viper cues, we will seek opportunities to season the Plymouth brand with Prowler cues," said Chrysler VP Walling. (This would lead to the PT Cruiser.)

Body panels would be made of Acrylonitrile/Styrene/Acrylate (ASA) plastic and have a single molded-in color which would simplify assembly and eliminate the painting process. The exterior would also feature stand-alone, blow-molded front and rear bumpers which, along with plastic trim, offer two molded-in color options compatible with interior trim.

Click here for the Pronto Spyder.

Other recent concept cars

Following are photos of some more recent concept cars:

1989 Millenium (Intrepid-like profile) 1993 ThunderboltJeepster
2000 Power Wagon 1998 T-Rex - 500hp and a 26,000
pound towing capacity

 



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