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Future Vehicles Chrysler Firepower
36 messages, Last post on Jun 11, 2007 at 6:47 PM
You are in the Future Vehicles Forum. Your Host is kirstie_h
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Replying to: woodstock3 (Jan 17, 2005 5:24 pm) |
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Sorry Kirstie  I guess no one is as excited about this as I am...yet. Here is a link to the Chrysler Firepower concept. It's got an Aston Martin like body on a Viper chassis. The engine is a 425 hp 6.1 SRT Hemi. All of this, for the price of a Corvette. This exciting vehicle was unveiled at the Detroit auto show. It won the award for the best concept car at the 2005 North American International Auto Show's. The Firepower also was named sexiest concept. http://autoshow.edmunds.com/news/autoshow/articles/103626/page042- .html?tid=edmunds.e.autoshow..leftnav.43.* other links: http://motortrend.com/autoshows/coverage/112_05_detroitautoshow/i- ndex8.html#4 http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article- _id=9013 From the Detroit News, "Zetsche said Chrysler also is considering whether it will build production versions of the Chrysler Firepower sports car and Jeep Gladiator pickup concepts. The company will decide within a year." |
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| Woodstock3, I feel like you do. The Firepower is the first two seater that has a realistic price which calls my name. My wife is expecting to get a replacement for her '96 Infiniti this year but I'm trying to get her to hold out for the Firepower. I'm so happy with my Pacifica that I'll have it at least another seven years, but I wish I could afford to be a three car family. | |
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I think the front is a mess. It just doesn't match the rest. But that's minor. I'm not sure they'd sell enough for it to be worth it though. It's not easy to take on the 911.
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Replying to: carlisimo (Jan 18, 2005 2:04 pm) |
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I'm not crazy about the grill either. It also seems to have a big goofy grin. But Chrysler is big on big grills. Here is Edmunds take on the Firepower! ----------------------------------------- What Is It? Chrysler Firepower Concept What's Special About It? While Chrysler has used the Viper platform and suspension in addition to elements of the ME-412 concept as the basis for this striking two-seat sports car concept, the company has made no secret of the fact that the Firepower's aesthetics were inspired by classic British brands such as Aston Martin and Bentley. The Viper's V10 has been eschewed, though, in favor of a leaner 6.1-liter Hemi V8, which will be paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox. Those who do not think that this is a powerful enough engine, compared to that of the Viper, would be thrilled to learn that the car can make zero to 60 in less than 4.5 seconds. This rear-wheel-drive "grand tourer" also features such distinguishing touches as a panoramic glass roof with a hatchback design, as well as cooling vents on the hood and substantial touches of chrome throughout. The Firepower could conceivably go into production within a year and a half to two years of its Detroit debut. What's Edmunds' Take? The Firepower is a refined and elegant sports car — the likes of which haven't been seen from a domestic brand in some time. The Firepower seems much less thrown-together and much more pleasing to the eye than its Viper stablemate, with a much more manageable engine, which should attract the majority who do not aspire to become racecar drivers. If the enthusiasm that Chrysler executives have demonstrated for the Firepower is to be taken at face value, this vehicle is surely the logical psychic follow-up to the daring 300. Priced similarly to a Corvette, the Firepower could likely secure Chrysler Group's newfound fortunes for the immediate future. — Phil Lienert |
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Hello, The latest Autoweek has an article stateing that Chrysler may build the Firepower! They are looking to bring out a lot of new models over the next 2 years. The Firepower! and the Jeep Gladiator are highly placed candidates for production. http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101641 |
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Here is my analysis of the new Firepower concept: The Chrysler Firepower concept is the most exciting concept car out today. It combines style, luxury and power into an elegant, beautiful package which is nearly affordable. The body - This car starts with the body. It is striking from all angles. The initial renderings were not as exciting, but the actual pictures show the curves a lot better. And there are curves. Plenty of curves. The long hood indicates that a powerful motor lurks underneath. The large wheel openings hold huge, grippy tires. It is not brutish, like the viper, but curvy, curvy, sexy. The Firepower was designed by Brian Nielander, the designer of the ME-412. Even though the Firepower used elements of the Viper, ME-412, Crossfire, Aston Martin, Bently, etc., it's look is well blended. The Firepower seems much less chunky than the Viper it's based on. Some performance cars are said to be a body builder in a suit. The Viper is a body builder in a muscle shirt. The Firepower is a body builder in a tuxedo. The grill - I have to admit, I don't like the grill. The huge Viperesque smile detracts from the overall design. I hope Chrysler tones it down. [shhh. It wouldn't stop me from buying the car, but don't tell Chrysler]. But hey, that big grill says "Chrysler corp". They had to do something to distinguish it from an Aston. Chrysler is big on big grills, and I hope that changes. The new Charger has a big brutish dodge RAM truck grill, which also detracts from the car. The chassis - Race proven Viper chassis and suspension, featuring monster brakes. Can handle any road or racetrack thrown it's way, though softened up a little for "Grand Touring". nuf said. The engine - The Viper's V10 has been replaced with the new age Hemi. Hemi purists complain that it's not a true hemisphere combustion chamber. Well, Chrysler had to modify the combustion chamber to get it to pass emissions, it's closest we can get in 2005, and they are selling like hotcakes in the 300C, so get over it. Unlike the V-10, the Hemi is produced in great volume, which lowers production costs. The Firepower uses the SRT 6.1-liter Hemi V8 which upps the horsepower from 340 to 425. Interior - You spend a lot more time looking at the inside of your car than the outside. It should be comfortable, ergonomic, and pleasing to look at. The interior of the Firepower is gorgeous. It's the way they used to make interiors, with lots of chrome. There is chrome everywhere, not dull plastic of today's cars. Bling to some, nostalgia to others. Performance - This car WILL BE FUN TO DRIVE! Though it's not a V-10, it can scoot from 0 to 60 in less than 4.5 seconds. The Hemi weighs less than V-10 so handling should actually be better. Gearhead Performance Potential - Unlimited. It's a real newage Mopar. Any Viper upgrades will virtually bolt right in. Performance brakes, springs, shocks, transmissions, etc. Any performance upgrades for the SRT Hemi will bolt right into the motor. 0 - 60 in less than 4.0 sec is extremely feasible. If you are really hard core, you could drop in a 500HP 8.3 L V10 Viper engine. Can't lose. Feasibility - Just before the Auto show, Chrysler announced they would not build the ME-412 concept car. Many people wanted the ME-412 to be built, but at $500K, how many would actually vote with their checkbooks? The Firepower makes a lot more sense than the ME-412. Since it's based on production components, the Firepower is relatively affordable when compared to other super cars. The Firepower could conceivably go into production within two years. (Please Chrysler, build it). Price - base price of $50000 to $60000 is a Relative bargain compared to super cars such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins. Competition - Alternative to the corvette Cadilac XLR - not a beauty like the Firepower - too edgy. Jag - Interesting alternative to the Firepower, especially considering the new lightweight concept. Anything else is projected over $100,000 Marketing - Peirce Brosman would be a likely candidate for spokesman - This could be the next James Bond product placement car. Sales potential - In order to make a business case, people actually have to buy the car. Who will buy this Chrysler halo car? This car will cut directly into GM's Corvette sales: - the traditional Corvette buyer looking for something different - those that may consider the corvette, but are put off by GM's current implementation - Old Mopar guys that don’t want a Vette. Summary - The Chrysler Firepower is a refined and elegant "Grand Touring" car. It looks great, has a great engine, and a great interior. It is a viable vehicle since it is based on existing components. The Firepower! seems to be a rational repackaging of existing hardware. Forget those Lamborghinis, and Ferraris with their stratospheric prices. For the cost of a Vette, you get Aston Martin looks, a Viper chassis, and a Hemi engine. That's fine with me. |
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| Hopefully Chrysler can make this car happen, can't wait to get the 300C SRT8, I can only dream about what that engine can do in a true sports car. Maybe Chrysler will use some Benz features in it like the Crossfire and 300. | |
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