Who knows why automakers seem attracted to the utilitarian nature and claustrophobic accomodations of panel vehicles lately, but we're not complaining. Dodge is the latest to join the fray by offering up renderings of the Nitro Panel Wagon concept that will be displayed at this year's SEMA show near the end of the month. As per the requirements for being labeled a panel van, the Nitro Panel Wagon features windowless side panels and a flat load floor. Mike Ellis of DCX tells us that designers are also going to pimp the Panel Wagon with some cool ground effects. Whether that means neon tubes lighting up the frame or just new front and rear bumpers plus side skirts remains to be seen, although we can clearly see some exterior mods on the rendered vehicle that leads us to believe the latter (please don't put neons on your concept, Chrysler).
Unlike the Chevy HHR Panel that was recently announced for production, Chrysler is not saying if there's a production line in this panel van's future. We're all about panel vans, so we say do it. Chevy cannot be allowed to be the only domestic automaker with a production panel van. A panel wagon war between the domestics is exactly what we need right now to take our minds off of quarterly earnings and monthly sales figures. You don't think it'd be an irresponsible use of precious resources, do you? Whatev, build 'em.
More renderings after the jump...
[Source: DCX]
EXCERPT FROM PRESS RELEASE
Dodge Nitro Panel Wagon
- Builders: DaimlerChrysler Vehicle Build Shops
- 3.7L, 12-valve, SOHC V-6
- 210 horsepower and 235 lbs.-ft. of torque
With hot rod flavor, this retro 2-door Dodge Nitro Panel Wagon also has modern flair. The Nitro Panel Wagon began as a statement about traditional hot rodding. It not only had to be a styling statement, it had to be functional, just as the speed shops did it the '50s and '60s. Modifying a standard Dodge Nitro by hand, the same way a custom car builder would. It's Mopar-themed throughout – accessory, performance, and replacement parts
The metal shop welded the rear doors shut and hand-formed the panel to fill in where the quarter and rear door glass once resided. The unique body kit accentuates its modern, masculine and athletic shape by lowering the sills and fascia. The beefy flares are one inch wider per side to cover the one-off Alcoa forged 20 x 9 wheels wrapped in sticky BF Goodrich g-Force 265/50VR20s. The suspension was lowered 2 inches to lower the center of gravity and improve the handling. Mopar's signature blue and white was laid on the classic panel wagon two-tone scheme. The big blue space on the panel where the glass once lived begged for the Mopar Authentic Performance logo.
Exterior attributes set the tone for the real story: inside. Panel vans carry cargo, and this one does it in style. Deleting the rear doors and seats creates an opportunity for unique storage systems. When the rear door is opened, the cargo floor appears to be a nice, flat area with a textured material. Upon closer inspection, a set of handles, borrowed from the production version of the Nitro, unlatch and release the 400-lb.-capacity load floor that extends a whopping 36 inches (which was created by our vehicle mock-up area). Cargo is kept from going into the front compartment by an aviation-inspired cargo net. Where the glass and quarter trim once lived, there are a set of custom panels designed to hold smaller stuff: tools, oil, filters, everything a hot rodder might need on the road. The front compartment remains in basically stock trim with the exception of the custom seats done by Katzkin, which include smooth polyurethane bolsters with a gray textured insert that mimics the cargo mat. The seats carry an embroidered Mopar logo with matching blue accent stitching.
The Dodge Nitro Panel Wagon combines the essence of a classic panel van with the modern, aggressive style of today's Dodge. With its appearance and speed shop utility, this vehicle will be greatly appreciated by any gearhead. No surfboards, flats of flowers or groceries in here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
D Man @ Oct 17th 2006 5:00PM
It looks like a rip-off of the scion Xb, Nissan Cube and the Ford concept. Way to be original Dodge!
Jro @ Oct 17th 2006 5:02PM
chances are this won't happen. they showed a PT Cruiser panel van and for some reason they didn't build it. Chrysler's pretty good at building due to demand and I don't see a huge demand for this.
Anthem @ Oct 17th 2006 5:43PM
Are you F'ing kidding me??? Let me get this straight... Dodge, along with the other "Big 1.2" American motor companies, while trying to figure out ways to bolster staggeringly low domestic sales spends its time, resources and cash attempting to re-create and compete with an outdated, under-selling design that rivals the almighty HHR. Way to go boys! Keep up the good work.
James @ Oct 17th 2006 6:01PM
The Nitro isn't bad, I was actually very impressed with it. Check out this video review of it:
http://www.cartv.com/content/research/channels/index.cfm/channel/cartv_video/action/showvideo/vid/r_0248/vcat/Review/make/Dodge/MAKE_VCH/Dodge/
I'll be at SEMA and will check out what they have to offer up. Once you see the Nitro in person you'll see its no Scion xB wanna-be. This is a vehicle that means business (and NO, I don't work for Dodge).
James
Dodge Nitro @ Oct 17th 2006 6:18PM
Looks interesting.. most likely will never see production unfortunately. If you're interested in the Dodge Nitro, check out http://www.dodge-nitro.com/
JW @ Oct 17th 2006 7:04PM
Looks good to me. I just don't know about driving without those back windows. But I like the idea. What if they made a 2 door Nitro? Like the old Ram Chargers.
Stéphane Dumas @ Oct 17th 2006 8:23PM
I won't be surprised if they'll give the green light for a Nitro Panel. With the upcoming the Chevy HHR panel, DCX won't have too much choice. An additionnal suggestion is to add an optionnal turbo-diesel engine.
Víctor Rubiera @ Oct 17th 2006 9:31PM
Dodge bring to market The Nitro Panel!!!!!!.
genX @ Oct 18th 2006 12:54AM
Is it me or does every Chrysler look the same. I’m so sick of these hard lines, sure the first couple cars looked nice and were something different then the rest but now their whole line up looks the same? Give me a break. I see no point in having two brands. Just name them all Chrysler and offer different types of packages such as sport and luxury. There’s no redesigns to look forward to when it comes to Chrysler, cause they’ll just end up looking like the rest of their show box line up. Come on guys lets try something new and a bit more appealing.
cars details @ Oct 18th 2006 2:28AM
I can't say it looks like the others Chrysler. Of course, it has some specifical elemts, but I like it.
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M. @ Oct 18th 2006 5:46AM
A production model would look cool but won't make much sense from a practical point of view. The HHR is FWD and available with relative economical I4 engines. The Nitro is RWD, thus loading the panel HHR would be easier -- Dodge would have to lower the Nitro and put in one of those new 2.4l I4.
Even with such conversations these panel vans aren't ideal. The HHR panel has less than 2000 litres of cargo space, even a Skoda Roomster or Dacia MCV offers more (both are not available as panel van yet).
A typical European panel van like the Ford Transit Connect, Fiat Doblo, Citroen Berlingo, Nissan Cubistar or Volkswagen Caddy offers between 2600 and 3100 litres. They use transversally mounted engines, are more economical and shorter than their American counterparts. At least Ford, Nissan and VW are selling cars in the US, so it should not be a big deal for them to equip adjust their European models for the US market and offer an alternative for the panel craze that makes more sense than converted HHRs and Nitros.
Clarence @ Oct 18th 2006 8:52AM
Too many new panels required to be economically feasible. The HHR solved that problem with the 4-door solution. If the Nitro makes it to production, it will have 4-doors also.
GOT @ Oct 18th 2006 10:14AM
BRING IT DODGE!!!
The Nitro Panel-van is awesome! I'd rather have that than a truck. I hope Dodge brings it to fruition... I'll buy it... and especially is they put a Hemi in it.
M. @ Oct 18th 2006 10:19AM
#13: They'd have to cut the HEMI to V6. The engine bay of this Jeep is just too small for a V8.
Erik @ Oct 18th 2006 11:59AM
Who cares - call me when they decide to make the production version. I won't be holding my breath. Big props to Chevy for actually producing one of these, even if they didn't delete the rear doors.
Leo @ Oct 18th 2006 12:36PM
i don't mind this SUV, but with this pannels it look awful, just plain UGLY
DudeinDetroit @ Oct 24th 2006 9:29AM
Glad they called it Nitro, 'cause that's what it will sound like when the friggin' engine blows up on it. What a heap of shit.
Chui Tey on the Dodge Panel Van @ Nov 26th 2006 3:20AM
I dig it. It's all retro like back to the 30s. Would make a really cool police paddy wagon (that's what we'd call them in Australia).
ExtraEyes @ Apr 29th 2008 9:49AM
I love this concept! It's 2008, HHR came out in panel and Cheverolet did away with the Astro Van. I really dug the HHR until I saw this concept of the Nitro.
If Dodge puts this into production I will surely order a couple for my business for my men to work out of.
It's the next best thing to a work truck. Enough room to advertise on the side. Space on top to throw a ladder or 2 and can be rugged with 4x4 options.
It's freak'n HOT!