Gilles: Chrysler done with 'Edge' look, going 'Organic'
We're already encouraged by the fact that Ralph Gilles has ascended to the top of Chrysler's design department, as the past vehicles penned under his supervision have all been some of Chrysler's best. Say what you want about the reborn 300 now, but when it was first introduced, it's styling set in motion a major tidal wave of accolades and was a fresh direction for Detroit's number 3. The 'Edge' look, as Gilles calls it, though, is getting a bit stale these days and Chrysler needs a new direction -- Sebring anyone? According to the new design chief, ChryCo's new look will be 'Organic', which Gilles says will get "our cars to be sexy again." Remember "cab forward"? That moniker could make a comeback along with the more stylish interiors that Chrysler so desperately needs. [Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
MemphisNET 12:05PM (8/20/2008)
1999-2004 300M Styling with RWD please! I love the 300C, but the M's sleek styling was excellent. Also, can we get a lil' love with a Neon revival ? Call it the Dart :D
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sw 12:09PM (8/20/2008)
Yes, the neon was a far better car than their fat and bloated Caliber
MemphisNET 12:19PM (8/20/2008)
I don't mind the Caliber (fix the interior materials obviously, features, looks and mechanicals are fine) but I believe it was just marketed completely wrong. A 3rd gen Neon AND Caliber in the lineup would have been just fine.
PiCASSO 9:00PM (8/20/2008)
I also prefer the better proportioned Neon over the current Caliber replacement.
Barricade 3:27PM (8/20/2008)
i like the styling of my 02' 300m Special. A lot of people think is looks this why because of things ive done to it but, when i tell them its stock and came this way they say is looks better than the new 300c's. My dad has a black 300c and he thinks my black 300m Sp looks better than his.
Torrent 3:45PM (8/20/2008)
First: Make the Hornet, ZEO, Firepower, ME 412, and Demon concept cars, and then maybe I'll go to their website again.
azzo45 8:11PM (8/20/2008)
First: Make the Hornet, ZEO, Firepower, ME 412, and Demon concept cars, and then maybe I'll go to their website again.
The Hornet is a poor rip-off of the Mini Cooper & probably gonna hit dealers as a result of the Nissan joint venture. IMO Chrysler doesn't need a "me-too" copy... they should come up with a fresh, original concept.
The ZEO was bland... rehashed 80"s showcar concepts... again, Chrysler has had much better showcars to excite the public.
The Firepower was a sweet concept... problem is that it will still cost $45-55,000. It was to be built @ Connor Ave. assembly plant (where Vipers roll off) to fill the void left by the Prowler. With Viper sales flat... adding the Firepower might not make sense.
The ME 412 was filled with Mercedes goodies & cost WAY too much. So it ain't gonna happen. How many people are seriously going to trust a Chrysler dealer to work on an exotic $3-400,000 car??? Most wouldn't trust them to work on the proposed $55K Firepower.
The Demon? Your getting the Hornet. GM's Sky & Solstice sales have dropped off.... Chrysler needs "bread & butter" cars to save them... AB readers love the 2 seater sports car... but they don't keep a struggling car company floating. Sad but true...
Torrent 1:54AM (8/21/2008)
Even if that's are true, If Chrylser/ Dodge made at least one of those cars, it would look better than anything they've put out in the last 5 years.
azzo45 9:41AM (8/21/2008)
Most would disagree with your "5 year" statement...
... many seem to like the "new" CHALLENGER. There is also the updated Viper (its less than 5 years old...)
Trust me, the Hornet is gonna be the Chrysler/ Nissan partnership car... hopefully it loses some of the cheesy aspects of the concept car (IMO).
You'll get your wish on 1 of the 5.
Tagg 12:12PM (8/20/2008)
I don't mind cab forward at all but I am sure some people will. For me I find the last cab forward Intrepid to be much more attractive than the current Avenger with better room inside and an interior that was more than respectable.
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jgp 12:36PM (8/20/2008)
I'd take the first-gen Intrepid over either. It's the best-looking by far.
ehisforadam 1:21PM (8/20/2008)
There's a big reason why the Intrepid has a bigger interior than the Avenger, it's a D segment car, the Avenger is a C.
Tagg 4:44PM (8/20/2008)
I am aware of that but are you aware that the Intrepid is essentially a segment buster? An Intrepid is actually right in between the Avenger and Charger in size. So Chrysler created two cars to cover the Intrepid's market postion so I am not completely off base.
The Avenger is a replacement for the Intrepid as is the Charger.
TheRedMonkey 2:16PM (10/07/2008)
Look up the length of the Intrepid. Its longer than the Magnum was.
Dodge Intrepid
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification 4-door sedan
Wheelbase, in. 113.0
Overall Length, in. 203.7
Overall Width, in. 74.7
Overall Height, in. 55.9
Curb Weight, lbs. 3422
Magnum
Dimensions
Exterior(1)
Wheelbase 120.0
Overall Length 197.7
Overall Height 58.3
So tell me how the intrepid is segment busting and in between the Avenger and Charger when its larger?
SPG 12:09PM (8/20/2008)
I took a last gen LHS taxi the other week and loved it.
The interior materials were terrible to the look and the feel but very nicely designed. The exterior also seemed a bit down market in terms of materials.
They styling however, was great.
Put the thought of the last Concorde, LHS, and 300M with the current market in mind and I'd love to see a replacement for the Calibur, Sebring, and perhaps a few other Chrysler cars.
Then do somthing about Dodge.
And of course, let's get some decent materials.
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geo.stewart 12:42PM (8/20/2008)
the only problem with the 300M was the grille. it looked out of place and proportion with that little portal.
The LHS was nice but I always though the trunk was too long (but I end up thinking that about a lot of cars)
the 300C was revolutionary and I love the concept 300 rendering in the pic above
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Aprime 12:29PM (8/20/2008)
I, for one, am not too optimistic.
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Eric 12:42PM (8/20/2008)
I love my 2000 LHS. Good size car, not too bad average MPG (23.5) and been pretty reliable. (knocking on wood)
I say bring that back! I think I prefer FWD though. Minnesota winters scare me too much to drive RWD on those days
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dwightB 12:35PM (8/20/2008)
ABOUT DAMN TIME!
Cadillac edgey styling = elegant
Chrysler edgey styling = cheap
The biggest difference is the fact that Cadillac has edgey intersections with ORGANIC surfaces. Chrysler on the other hand seemed to think it was a good idea to make their cars look as if they were constructed of Legos... :(
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MemphisNET 12:37PM (8/20/2008)
Chryslers used to be right up there with Cadillacs and Lincolns, but today, unless they're prepared to actually put some knock-out quality into the interior and refinement (not impossible) they should market more towards the Oldsmobile/Buick 'Premium' segment.