Now, if General Motors were the parent of such a beautifully finished concept car, inside and out it appeared ready for production, then I wouldn't
even be speculating about production. Not that GM doesn't come up with nice concept vehicles, rather quite the opposite is true. It's just that the General rarely builds them into production vehicles, and when it does they hardly ever resemble the original concepts, unless small volume runs are part of the deal. Chrysler, on the other hand, often brings its concepts from one-off show cars to road-ready reality, and for this reason it's not outrageous to consider a production Firepower. Actually, I'd be surprised if something similar didn't get built.
And I have to add, when testing out a barrage of SRT models at Quebec's Mont-Tremblant racetrack I questioned a certain high-ranking DCX exec who will remain nameless about the Firepower, commenting that I thought it needed a less expensive chassis architecture to target entry-luxury buyers, and he smiled and said, "How Insightful." Unfortunately, that's all I could get out of him, but the look he gave me was
all I needed to know... Chrylser was either preparing a production version as we spoke or at least thinking deeply about doing so.
Prior to 2004 Chrysler Group announced that twenty-five new models would be forthcoming over the following three years. With nine introduced in 2004, five scheduled for 2005, an unprecedented eleven to be launched in 2006.
"In 2006, we'll aim to break the record for new vehicle launches we set last year," Zetsche added. "And our product pipeline beyond 2006 will also be full. We're not going to let up."
Will the Firepower be one of them? Make some history and let your local dealer know you want it. They'll be sure to tell the powers that be if enough interested parties create enough momentum behind the car. And if they build it, plus bring it to market for a reasonable price with the same high quality interior that the show car exhibited, the premium import brands will have a dickens of a time selling their top-line coupes and roadsters. Now, wouldn't that be a fun scenario to witness being played out?
Specifications:
Body Type: 2-door coupe
Layout: front engine, RWD
Engine (estimated): 425-hp, 420 lb-ft of torque, 6.1L, 16-valve V8
Transmission: 5-spd auto with manual mode
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
Seating Capacity: 2
Curb Weight (estimated): 1,800 kg (4,000 lbs)
Web Site: www.chrysler.ca
 |
| Chrysler often brings its concepts from one-off show cars to road-ready reality, and for this reason it's not outrageous to consider a production Firepower. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
And I have to add, when testing out a barrage of SRT models at Quebec's Mont-Tremblant racetrack I questioned a certain high-ranking DCX exec who will remain nameless about the Firepower, commenting that I thought it needed a less expensive chassis architecture to target entry-luxury buyers, and he smiled and said, "How Insightful." Unfortunately, that's all I could get out of him, but the look he gave me was
 |
| If Chrysler builds it, plus brings it to market for a reasonable price with the same high quality interior that the show car exhibited, the premium import brands will have a dickens of a time selling their top-line coupes and roadsters. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Prior to 2004 Chrysler Group announced that twenty-five new models would be forthcoming over the following three years. With nine introduced in 2004, five scheduled for 2005, an unprecedented eleven to be launched in 2006.
"In 2006, we'll aim to break the record for new vehicle launches we set last year," Zetsche added. "And our product pipeline beyond 2006 will also be full. We're not going to let up."
Will the Firepower be one of them? Make some history and let your local dealer know you want it. They'll be sure to tell the powers that be if enough interested parties create enough momentum behind the car. And if they build it, plus bring it to market for a reasonable price with the same high quality interior that the show car exhibited, the premium import brands will have a dickens of a time selling their top-line coupes and roadsters. Now, wouldn't that be a fun scenario to witness being played out?
Specifications:
Body Type: 2-door coupe
Layout: front engine, RWD
Engine (estimated): 425-hp, 420 lb-ft of torque, 6.1L, 16-valve V8
Transmission: 5-spd auto with manual mode
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
Seating Capacity: 2
Curb Weight (estimated): 1,800 kg (4,000 lbs)
Web Site: www.chrysler.ca
Article Gallery