Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons
Chrysler Imperial concept a poor man's Phantom
Here is the first official pic of Chrysler’s Imperial Concept that will debut next week at the Detroit auto show. Pics of the Imperial lifted from the current issue of Motor Trend have already surfaced elsewhere on the net, and reaction has been unanimous in that the new Imperial looks like a poor man’s Rolls, especially with its pedestrian-flattening grille.
Autoweek reports that the Imperial rides on a 123-inch wheelbase, which is three ticks longer than the 300C’s wheelbase. Overall the concept is 17-inches longer at 214 inches and six inches taller. Those wheels are twenty-twos, so it’s a good thing Chrysler is using the monster 5.7L Hemi with 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque to rotate them.
Entrance into the large sedan is achieved through b-pillar-less doors that welcome occupants into an interior orgy of leather, California burl wood and satin-finished aluminum. Many of the components inside are handcrafted, as well, and set off by a bath of warm interior accent lights.
Based on first impressions we’d venture to guess the Imperial Concept has less of a chance to see the inside of an assembly plant than does its concept cousin, the Challenger. If produced the Imperial would occupy the top slot in Chrysler’s sedan lineup above the 300C.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Kris 8:09AM (1/03/2006)
I'd never buy such a thing personally - I'm more of a sport hatch kind of guy - but I like the look of it. The shape of it, combined with that color, gives it a 30s art deco sort of look. Definitely an improvement over the flagship cars that Ford puts out, and a nice alternative to the sharp angles of the Caddy.
Reply
MattB 8:15AM (1/03/2006)
More proof that Chrysler knows exactly what it's doing.
The only problem is that this car is TOO much like a RR. It does look very sharp and whiile it's a little fat-looking, it holds a firm stance and presents a more luxurious look than its Cadillac competition.
Nice.
Reply
V?or Rubiera 8:19AM (1/03/2006)
Excellent idea to bring back the Chrysler Imperial!!!!!!
Reply
Richard Meyers 8:24AM (1/03/2006)
Wow.
To my eye, it's the ugliest thing I've seen in some time.
Reply
slasherx 8:24AM (1/03/2006)
i pity the fool who buys such a thing... not even mr T would buy such a monstrosity.
Reply
David 8:47AM (1/03/2006)
Is that 'Corinthian' leather?
Reply
dolan 8:56AM (1/03/2006)
Of all cars to want to resurrect, the Chyrsler Imperial? Next thing you know, Ford will bring back the LTD.
That thing is fugly beyond words.
Reply
Chris Meisenzahl 9:10AM (1/03/2006)
Cool, I like it!
Reply
wombo 9:11AM (1/03/2006)
It looks to me like a Chrysler 300 and a Chevy HHR met at a New Year's party....you can guess the rest..
Reply
laserwizard 9:22AM (1/03/2006)
It is growing on me. At first I didn't like it, but with larger pictures, this thing is starting to look good.
Cadillac should take notice: Taking a car and putting it in a shredder and passing it off as design isn't good taste. Chrysler is now starting to show that design doesn't have to look like a hatchet has been used. Though this car is hardly fluid in design, it is still striking.
Can I sue Cadillac for the damage their designs have done to my eyes?
Reply
mickster 9:30AM (1/03/2006)
PHANTOM MENACE is more like it!
Reply
cl2 9:36AM (1/03/2006)
It never ceases to amaze me that both car magazine pundents and some individuals can praise ugly design because it has a "Hemi." Chrysler has had some real winners (and I'm not a Chrysler fan) but too often it seems to be given a pass for ugly design because of the engine.
Reply
J T 9:55AM (1/03/2006)
Well the hip-hop crowd will certainly love it, I think that goes without saying - guess that's up to you whether that's a bad thing or not.
As far as I'm concerned... too much like a 30s Rolls Royce (which I'm sure was entirely intentional, but it's a bit much IMHO), and I've never been a fan of suicide doors. Overall, the car's not a bad idea, but just tries a little TOO hard to be different.
Reply
Corey W. 10:12AM (1/03/2006)
Yes, Chrysler has had many industry first when it's comes to designs but the existing 300 and this Imperial is not one of them. When first introduced, the new 300 first label was "baby Bentley". In this case, the only thing Chrysler is proving is that they can make cheaper knock-off of high end luxury vehicles.
Not that anything is wrong with the 300, when first introduced, I was very interesting in purchasing one, I was holding out for the SRT8, but then it seemed like every other car on the road was a 300, and that just turned me off to it.
Reply
Robert Farago 10:12AM (1/03/2006)
Ew.
Reply
Chris 10:24AM (1/03/2006)
Ugly!!! The turd colored paint certainly doesn't help either! And we all thought the Chinese were bad for copying cars.
Reply
liddo 10:37AM (1/03/2006)
Shame for Chrysler. I was glad to find out they wanna bring back imperial. But that looks like continental GT front + the rest of RR, not like Chrysler at all. And it's very ugly.
Reply
JZeke 10:38AM (1/03/2006)
Below the beltline this concept is awesome, its a very dynamic and strong look for an American luxury car. However, above the belt...
Why no originality in the tail and c-pillar? To ape Rolls so closely might be ok for the Chinese, but not Chrysler. And the Grill is pretty weak, it doesnt speak as strongly as the egg-crate from the 300c.
Belt-up, this car needs a bit of a rethink, but I think its pretty close to being an awesome luxury car.
Reply
liddo 10:56AM (1/03/2006)
That car scares me. Now they should make it stink. Thus everybody can guess it's coming and run away.
Reply
bernie 11:00AM (1/03/2006)
I can't believe that ugly POS ever saw the light of day. Ansel Adams once said that "a good photographer is someone who never shows anyone his bad photographs." DCX obviously never took this mantra to heart. Chrysler has the perfect opportunity to split with the outdated Detroit "more is more" philosophy and build upon some strong products. Then they trot out this half baked mastedon that will be laughed off the floor at Cobo - and deservedly so. Sheesh - there is NO HOPE for Detroit's future, folks.
Reply