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Chrysler PT Cruiser Styling Exercises
Chrysler's PT Cruiser Special Editions Make Style Statements for Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's.
Three very different organizations, all known for having a distinctive style -- Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer and Meguiar's -- have seen the PT Cruiser as a marvelous palette upon which to make their own statement through the addition of subtle features mixed with unique colors and fabrics.
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Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition
The history of luggage provider Louis Vuitton has, obviously, been long tied to transportation. In fact, in 1897 George Vuitton designed the first automobile "trunk."
The first car trunk was just that -- a trunk fashioned to attach to an automobile. The concept was soon incorporated into the overall vehicle, but the name remained.
Today, the French firm whose bags themselves are fashion statements, celebrates automotive design as art and fashion throughout history by sponsoring classic-car concours d'elegance in North America and Europe.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center. The concept's signature checkerboard pattern, with its distinctive "LV" logo, subtly applied to the aquamarine metallic paint, 16-inch chrome wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and a Louis Vuitton Classic 2000 sun shade visually set this PT Cruiser apart.
The interior features exclusive Louis Vuitton "LV" fabric inserts on the doors and seats. Saddle leather accents the door pull handles and steering-wheel. The PT Cruiser's spacious cargo area is fitted with tailor-made Louis Vuitton luggage.
"The Chrysler PT Cruiser Louis Vuitton Edition embodies the attributes valued by both companies: quality and style, tradition and innovation, functionality and creativity," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President Design for DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
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Chrysler PT Cruiser TAG Heuer Edition
Style, performance and ergonomics are the hallmark of TAG Heuer,manufacturer of the world's most prestigious sports watches. The Chrysler PT Cruiser TAG Heuer Edition's performance appearance, showing off refined materials and details, distinguish it from any other vehicle.
The exterior's bright silver pearl paint is evocative of the company's watch cases, complemented by the understated TAG Heuer badges.
Polished, 16-inch, multi-spoked wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and a full-vehicle ground-effects package complete the visual enhancements.
This high-tech theme continues in the ergonomically-designed interior, with metallic seat and door-trim inserts and bright silver pearl accents on the instrument panel.
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Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition
Meguiar's, experts in automotive surface care with its renowned line of waxes, has had a passion for classic and custom cars since 1901. This deep-seeded enthusiasm shows in the Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition.
"This concept embodies the standard of excellence in exterior treatment for which Meguiar's has long been known," said Creed.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser Meguiar's Edition features the surface-care manufacturer's love for finesse finishing and paint detailing with a rich coat of Black Pearl highlighted by a unique flame treatment in Meguiar's signature red and yellow. Five-spoke chrome wheels add to the hot-rod theme.
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Chrysler Panel Cruiser Concept Truck: Carrying Cargo Has Never Looked This Good
Whether it's a dog kennel, flats of flowers, a catered dinner for 100 guests or that antique armoire, the Chrysler Panel Cruiser concept can accommodate it within its modish exterior.
Introduced by DaimlerChrysler at the North American International Auto Show, this new interpretation of the PT Cruiser demonstrates functionality as well as unique styling, reflective of Chrysler heritage. "We set out to design a more cargo van-like vehicle based on the PT Cruiser, utilizing its abundant interior space while maintaining its clean, contemporary lines and youthful appearance," said Carlson "By replacing the rear doors and windows with panels and the rear seats with a wood floor, we've created a versatile rear cargo space that could be used as a light delivery truck or an individual lifestyle vehicle. The possibilities are endless."
At 168.8 inches (4288.5mm), the overall exterior length of the design study is equal to the size of a small car, providing nimble city handling and easy parking, yet its interior volume of 119.8 cubic feet (3.39 cu. meters) rivals that of a full-size sedan. The rear interior space features a full wood floor with bright skid strips and wood bars along the side quarter panels with cargo straps providing a multi-use cargo area.
"We designed the interior to emphasize the volume available in the PT Cruiser," said Jeff Godshall, Senior Design Manager at DaimlerChrysler. "By creating a simple rear cargo space with features similar to those found in moving vans, such as wood floors and cargo straps, we invite a multitude of imaginative uses by the owner."
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Dodge M80
Historically, small pickups haven't been on too many buyers' wish lists. Functional, yes. Inexpensive, certainly. Even macho, perhaps, decked out with custom accessories or 4-wheel-drive gear. But small trucks were seldom a destination. As soon as the buyer's station in life improved, he or she bought a proper full-size truck, or even a car. Well, Dodge is here to offer that perhaps the reason large numbers of buyers haven't lusted for small pickup trucks is they weren't cool enough.
The M80 mischievously detonates those previously held notions. Incorporating "Son of Power Wagon" styling, the pug-nosed M80 mixes function, industrial cool and retro into a whole new blend. Underneath is the chassis of the next-generation Dakota pickup, complete with 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6. Word is DaimlerChrysler is looking seriously at producing this one for the European Market with a target price near 15,000.
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Smart Roadster Coupe
Owned by Mercedes, the official name of the car company is Micro Compact Car smart GmbH, or MMC smart. Originally founded in 1994, Switzerland, Smart was a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz AG, Stuttgart and Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Mikroelektronik und Uhrenindustrie AG.
In 1998, Daimler-Benz (Mercedes) took 100 per cent control of MMC smart and by 1999 the company's headquarters were moved from Bienne in Switzerland to Renningen in Germany.
Features a three-cylinder SUPREX turbo engine, which delivers 45 kW, which is transferred to the wheels via a sequential six-speed transmission. Europe gets a 30kW diesel model.
Standard fitted items include electronic traction control, glass roof with sun-screen, leather steering wheel, ABS, front airbags, remote central locking, power windows, airconditioning, CD player and 15-inch alloy wheels.
The smart's basic design consists of short crumple zones around an extremely rigid TRIDION safety cell. The sandwich platform construction locates all the assembly units under the passenger compartment. The outer skin consists of flexible body panels. They are made of coloured thermoplastic which is 100-per cent recyclable.
DaimlerChrysler has just announced that the Smart cars will be introduced to the U.S. market in 2004.
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Smart Roadster
This is Smart's sexy little Roadster and Roadster-Coupe, due in April of next year and likely to do battle in with the StreetKA in a brand new segment comprised of seriously gorgeous and affordable convertibles. The Smart Roadster is a deeply unconventional car, though, and will appeal to youthful extroverts who just want to have fun behind the wheel again.
The new sports car is remarkably close to the Tridion concept from three years ago, and keeps the exposed steel chassis frame and removable plastic body panels. The stacked headlamps and bulging wheelarches give the car a very distinctive look, while the clear lens rear lights and squat rump looks even better than the front does. It's a lovely little thing.
The car on the left is a Roadster, while the Roaster-Coupe model above gets a rakish rear glass section and increased space, but there are few other differences between the two. Both have removable two-piece roof sections which store in the boot or can be had with an optional electrically operated folding soft top, which can be fully opened and closed even when driving at top speed. Both cars are strict two seaters, so the new Smarts are purely for singles or those looking for a lightweight toy.
Like the original Smart, the Roaster and Coupe get a mid-mounted, three-cylinder, 6V engine and rear wheel drive, but the capacity is up from 600cc to 700 cc, power jumps from 55bhp to 81bhp and torque now stands at 81 lb/ft thanks to a revised turbo.
The six-speed semi-automatic gearbox has also been improved, with quicker, smoother changes and steering-mounted paddle-shift. 0-62 take a respectable 10.9 for the Roadster and 11.7 seconds for the Roadster-Coupe and 109mph is the quoted top speed for both.
The new suspension and light weight of the car bodes well for sporting drivers. The front gets wishbones and struts, while the rear is fitted with a centrally mounted DeDion tube suspension with wishbones and struts, which MMC tells us works well under the 790 kg sports cars. The TRIDION safety cell weighs just 192 kgs and the exceptionally rigid cell not only helps the handling, it also promises high structural stability in the event of a shunt. Other safety features include twin airbags, ABS and ESP stability control and Emergency Brake Assist, while standard kit includes sports seats, leather steering wheel, leather gear knob and 15" alloys. The Roadster-Coupe model also gets air-condition as standard, however, power steering, a stereo and electric mirrors are surprising options for both. Cruise control, side-airbags, bigger wheels, leather trim and heated seats are further extras.
So it's quick (without burning a hole in your licence), it's pretty, it's clever, it's safe, it's economical, it's cheap to insure and taxes¦ it's perfect. MMC will also offer a less powerful and more basic version not long after launch, and have even set the price of around 13,000 for this entry-level model in Germany, which would equate to about 16,000 by the time our tax-man has finished with it. Brabus will also be putting together a performance package for the new Roadster, so everyone will be catered for with the new car. The only problem is, it might not come here. Time to lobby your local Mercedes dealer, folks.
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Chrysler 300 Hemi Concept
If the design of a car could personify a motoring culture - the 300 Hemi would be American cruising. Along a boulevard with the top down, this long, low and wide luxury car seems to have the confidence and size one associates with American cars of the past.
This car tries to be nothing else except itself. It knows what it is. The proportions are classic rear drive coupe with the passenger compartment well to the rear. There doesn't seem to be any need for "cab-forward" thinking here. The front end details are evolutionary Chrysler with a more aggressive lower intake and fog lamp treatment. Not much new - not much to challenge, just a beautifully executed 4 place convertible.
The Chrysler Hemi 300C is rumored to go into production for the 2006-2007 model year.
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Dodge Razor
Chrysler's popular Razor concept vehicle may be in for a reprieve. Dodge unveiled the retro-styled roadster at the Detroit auto show last January, but despite strong public response, it had looked like Chrysler wouldn't put the orange coupe into production. Well, speaking at a preview for the 2002 Paris auto show, the carmaker's chief executive officer, Dieter Zetsche, suggested that Chrysler is having second thoughts. "Razor is not in the front position to go into production," Zetsche said, quickly adding that, "this is not a 'no.'" |
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The Jeepster
The Jeepster, a deliberate combination of Jeep and roadster values and attributes, is as radical a concept as Chrysler has come up with in the past few years a high-riding 4-wheel-drive coupe with an open roof and a very aggressive look.
The Jeepster is powered by the company's new 4.7-liter sohc V8 engine, with a 4-speed automatic transmission and a viscous-coupled full-time all-wheel-drive system. What's more, the electronically controlled variable ride height suspension can be raised from its normal 5.75-in. ground clearance to 9.75 in. for off-road use, and the nose can be dropped down for highway use.
The gorgeous interior is aluminum-intensive and way, far out.
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