Industry Report: Chrysler's Short Term Future Part II - What Models are Coming Next?

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 will hit dealerships this spring, while the Magnum SRT8 will follow later in the year, but the automaker

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 will hit dealerships this spring, while the Magnum SRT8 will follow later in the year. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

must not consider these upgraded performance models of its existing 300C and Magnum RT to be unique enough to be two of its five new vehicle launches for 2005. Incidentally, an SRT8 version of the Charger is also expected.

Lastly, Zetsche announced to the media in Detroit that Auburn Hills is seriously considering building the Jeep Gladiator and Chrysler Firepower concepts, with no mention of which would get the nod if only one were chosen. The Gladiator makes the most sense from a monetary standpoint, as the Jeep brand has a long history of building pickup trucks and none is in its current lineup. Also, pickups are a strong market, and the midsize truck looks capable of pulling buyers away from import brands and its

The Firepower, featuring a 425-horsepower 6.1-litre HEMI V8, was so beautifully finished it appeared ready for production. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

arch rival, Hummer, which is expected to bring out a pickup variant of the H3 in coming years.

The Firepower, featuring a 425-horsepower 6.1-litre HEMI V8, just like that in the Chrysler 300C SRT8 and recently introduced Magnum SRT8, was so beautifully finished it appeared ready for production. It would go a lot farther in shedding a halo of goodwill over the Chrysler nameplate than the attractive, but diminutive Crossfire, and most likely would sell much better too. It would be highly unlikely that Chrysler would continue forward with two luxury two-seaters if the Firepower was produced, however.