Chrysler Concepts for Detroit 2004

November 20, 2003 – Chrysler Group's future, according to some pundits, is somewhat tenuous. So president and CEO Dieter Zetsche and his top lieutenants – including Trevor Creed, senior vice president of Design – are working vigorously to secure that future. As Zetsche announced to a group of journalists in Detroit's Cobo Hall (site of the North American International Auto Show next January 10-19) the company will be rolling out nine new products in 2004, "more than any car manufacturer has launched, period."

At the Detroit show, it will be rolling out at least two new concept vehicles, and bringing back to North America the Pacifica-designed Treo that was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. The two new concepts are the Dodge Sling Shot and the Jeep Rescue. Creed showed only sketches of the new concepts.

The Sling Shot is based on the Smart Roadster. Creed described the two-seater, powered by a three-cylinder, 90-hp engine as "the polar opposite of the Viper" – which of course has a 500hp V10. Like the Smart, it is fitted with dent-resistant body panels. It is fitted with a removable canvas roof. Of the use of the Smart underpinnings, Creed noted "This is a platform within our family." Presumably that would make it easier to make a business case for production in the event that this vehicle, which is aimed at a young demographic, is recieved well in January.

While the Hummer brand has been getting a lot of attention of late (at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the number of slammed H2s was phenomenal), the Jeep Rescue seems to be something of a competitor in that go-anywhere space. It has a 123-inch wheelbase and is 80-inches wide. It rides on 37-inch run-flat tires that are tunable to provide traction in whatever conditions the vehicle finds itself. Creed said that it has a "unique suspension" system, including the means to get four-inches of additional lift for fording streams.

Under the hood (and behind the remote-controlled front winch) is a 325-hp Cummins turbo diesel. Visually, it is like the Jeep Wrangler, but with a much more high-tech interior. The Wrangler that was unveiled is 15-inches longer than the current model, with two inches being given to the rear-seat passengers and the remaining 13 for cargo behind the second row. When asked about the H2 in relation to the Rescue, Creed simply answered, "We just wanted to do a big Jeep."

Gary S. Vasilash is Editor-in-chief, Automotive Design & Production magazine: www.autofieldguide.com

	Chrysler Concepts for 2004 Detroit Motor Show by Gary S. Vasilash
	Click for larger images	November 20, 2003 – Chrysler Group's future, according to some pundits, is somewhat tenuous. So president and CEO Dieter Zetsche and his top lieutenants – including Trevor Creed, senior vice president of Design – are working vigorously to secure that future. As Zetsche announced to a group of journalists in Detroit's Cobo Hall (site of the North American International Auto Show next January 10-19) the company will be rolling out nine new products in 2004, "more than any car manufacturer has launched, period." At the Detroit show, it will be rolling out at least two new concept vehicles, and bringing back to North America the Pacifica-designed Treo that was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. The two new concepts are the Dodge Sling Shot and the Jeep Rescue. Creed showed only sketches of the new concepts. The Sling Shot is based on the Smart Roadster. Creed described the two-seater, powered by a three-cylinder, 90-hp engine as "the polar opposite of the Viper" – which of course has a 500hp V10. Like the Smart, it is fitted with dent-resistant body panels. It is fitted with a removable canvas roof. Of the use of the Smart underpinnings, Creed noted "This is a platform within our family." Presumably that would make it easier to make a business case for production in the event that this vehicle, which is aimed at a young demographic, is recieved well in January. While the Hummer brand has been getting a lot of attention of late (at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the number of slammed H2s was phenomenal), the Jeep Rescue seems to be something of a competitor in that go-anywhere space. It has a 123-inch wheelbase and is 80-inches wide. It rides on 37-inch run-flat tires that are tunable to provide traction in whatever conditions the vehicle finds itself. Creed said that it has a "unique suspension" system, including the means to get four-inches of additional lift for fording streams. Under the hood (and behind the remote-controlled front winch) is a 325-hp Cummins turbo diesel. Visually, it is like the Jeep Wrangler, but with a much more high-tech interior. The Wrangler that was unveiled is 15-inches longer than the current model, with two inches being given to the rear-seat passengers and the remaining 13 for cargo behind the second row. When asked about the H2 in relation to the Rescue, Creed simply answered, "We just wanted to do a big Jeep." Gary S. Vasilash is Editor-in-chief, Automotive Design & Production magazine: www.autofieldguide.com