During the latest years, the Chrysler Group design philosophy has been based on the “Concept to reality” idea: all the concept vehicles created by the Group are working prototypes, and most of them provided the basis for production vehicles, introduced within a few years from the concept reveal.
This approach started with the Frankfurt Motor Show reveal of the Lamborghini-engined, cab forward-styled, four-door Chrysler Portofino concept sedan in 1987.
From the official Press Release:
"Concept vehicles have two major roles for the Chrysler Group: they showcase to management, the media and the public the potential future design direction for Chrysler Group cars and trucks, and they help to attract the best young designers in the world into its design studios."
"Chrysler Group’s concept vehicle program allows designers to test new colors, features, vehicle size and segments."
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Above: the Dodge Demon Concept |
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Concepts can also be showcases for new design cues, which often find their way into production on future vehicles – even if the entire concept vehicle does not.
According to Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Product Design Office, Chrysler Group, “We’ve always said at Chrysler that we don’t just produce concepts for fun.
"We have proved year after year that our concepts are innovative and relevant.
“Our track record shows that many Chrysler Group concepts, and several of the design features showcased on our concept vehicles, have gone into production,” he added.
“While we can’t say yet if any of our 2007 concepts will eventually be seen in our showrooms, they clearly hint at exciting and innovative future design directions that could find their way into our company’s products.”
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Above: the Chrysler Nassau Concept |
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Above: the Jeep Trailhawk Concept |
Cherysler: Twenty Years of Modern Concept Vehicles
The Chrysler Group has a long history of innovation in design and engineering, going back even as far as the first 1924 Chrysler sedan.
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1988 Chrysler Portofino Concept |
In the modern era, since 1988, the company has created more than 100 concept vehicles in a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations and materials.
1988
- Chrysler Portofino
- Plymouth Slingshot
1989
- Chrysler Millennium
- Dodge Dakota Sport V-8
- Dodge Intrepid
- Dodge Viper RT/10
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
- Jeep Z5 Concept 1
- Plymouth Speedster
- Plymouth Voyager III
1988 Plymouth Slingshot Concept
1990
- Dodge Daytona RT
- Dodge LRT
- Eagle Optima
- Jeep Freedom
1991
- Chrysler 300M
- Dodge Neon
- Jeep Wagoneer 2000
1992
- Chrysler Cirrus
- Dodge Epic
1989 Chrysler Millennium Concept
1993
- Chrysler Patriot
- Chrysler Thunderbolt
- Jeep Ecco
- Plymouth Prowler
1994
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Dodge Aviat
- Dodge Ram VTS
- Dodge Venom
- Dodge Viper GTS Coupe
- Eagle Vision Aerie
- Plymouth Expresso
1989 Dodge Dakota V-8 Sport Concept
1995
- Chrysler Atlantic
- Eagle Jazz
- Plymouth Back Pack
1996
- Chrysler Composite Concept Vehicle
- Chrysler LHX
- Dodge Intrepid ESX
1995 Chrysler Atlantic concept
1997
- Chrysler Phaeton
- Dodge Concept
- Dodge Sidewinder
- Dodge T-Rex
- Jeep Cherokee Casablanca
- Jeep Dakar
- Jeep Icon
- Jeep Wrangler Tabasco
- Jeep Wrangler Ultimate Rescue
- Plymouth Pronto
1997 Dodge Sidewinder Concept
1998
- Chrysler Chronos
- Dodge Big Red Truck
- Dodge Intrepid ESX2
- Jeep Jeepster
- Plymouth Pronto Cruiser
- Plymouth Pronto Spyder
1999
- Chrysler Citadel
- Dodge Charger R/T
- Dodge Power Wagon
- Jeep Commander
- Jeep Journey
2000
- Chrysler 300 Hemi® C
- Chrysler GT Cruiser
- Chrysler Java
- Chrysler Panel Cruiser
- Dodge ESX3
- Dodge MAXX cab
- Dodge Neon SRT
- Dodge Viper GTS/R
- Jeep Varsity
- Plymouth Howler
2001 Chrysler Crossfire Concept
2001
- Chrysler Crossfire
- Dodge Powerbox
- Dodge Super8 Hemi
- Jeep Willys
2002 Chrysler Pacifica concept
2002
- Chrysler California Cruiser
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Dodge M80
- Dodge Razor
- Jeep Compass
- Jeep Willys
2003
- Chrysler Airflite
- Chrysler 300C
- Dodge Avenger
- Dodge Durango
- Dodge Kahuna
- Dodge Magnum
- Dodge Tomahawk
- Jeep Treo
2004
- Chrysler ME Four-Twelve
- Dodge Sling Shot
- Jeep Rescue
2006 Chrysler Imperial Concept
2005
- Chrysler Akino
- Chrysler Firepower
- Dodge Caliber
- Dodge Nitro
- Jeep Compass
- Jeep Gladiator
- Jeep Hurricane
- Jeep Patriot
2006
2007
(Source: Chrysler)
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