Autoblog

Chrysler has shelved plans to build a production version of the Imperial concept it introduced at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Citing increasing fuel costs and more stringent fuel economy standards expected from Capitol Hill, Chrysler said that the Imperial project was off, as a viable business case could no longer be made for the car.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Chrysler will still invest in the Brampton, Ontario plant that had been earmarked for Imperial production, but that focus will be on the next-gen 300 instead. Regarding the Imperial, Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff said that given the current climate, bringing the Imperial to production would have been "irresponsible." A side benefit of the cancellation is that we will be spared the sight of the "poor man's Phantom's" ghastly front end on American roads.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Chrysler may be in the middle of a major ownership change, but the beat goes on when it comes to future vehicle plans. The folks over at The Star are reporting that Chrysler is going to build a fifth model at their Brampton plant in Ontario, which currently assembles the 300, Charger, and Magnum. Challenger production is scheduled for next year, and the fifth vehicle, which could be built in 09' as a 2010 model, is expected to be the Imperial.

Chrysler is reportedly investing $700 million in the Brampton plant to bring the Imperial to life, and the Rolls-Royce and Bentley wannabe is expected to ride on an extended version of Chrysler's LX platform. The Imperial, which sported a 6.1L Hemi V8 as a concept, could also receive a diesel engine. Chrysler has yet to make an announcement on an additional vehicle at Brampton, but word is it that Chrysler Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Frank Ewasyshn is expected to do so June 11.

We aren't sold on the chunky, blocky, copycat looks of the Imperial, but Chrysler apparently thinks enough Americans will want the beast that they've all but pulled the trigger on making it all official

[Source: TheStar]

Automotive News is reporting that Chrysler is very close to a decision on whether or not to build a sedan based on the Chrysler Imperial concept that was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Frank Klegon, the Chrysler Group's product development chief, tells AN that development teams have delivered to management all of the info required to make the right decision, but unfortunately any hint as to what that decision will be was not forthcoming. Whether or not the Imperial will see showrooms should be decided before the end of Q1 2007, if not before the end of 2006. Based on the same LX platform underpinning the 300 and likely powered by a range of HEMI V8s, the Imperial would begin production in early '09 as a 2010 model.

Never one to let automakers make a decision without hearing our $.02 first, we think the Chrysler Group should take a pass on this one. The company should be lauded for the cajones it's shown in past production decisions that gave us the Viper, Prowler, Crossfire and other cars, for better or for worse. That doesn't mean, however, it should gear up the tooling every time someone smiles at one of its concepts. The Chrysler 300 is a unique, competent sedan that has proven it can go pretty far upmarket, both in performance with the SRT-8 version and size with the Long Wheelbase version. Take that money you would've spent on the Imperial and go buy yourself a nice small car for North America, instead.

[Source: Automotive News]

We still haven't finished going through our pics from Monterey's week-long carfest. Here is a quick wallpaper gallery of concepts, coachbuilds and new production models displayed on the putting green outside The Lodge at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Glickenhaus commissioned P4/5, the stubby Dodge Hornet, the Phantom look-alike Chrysler Imperial, the "Darth Vader GT" Maybach Exelero... all there, along with a handful of other concepts and a few near-production-ready models. Follow the jump for the full clickable gallery.

To say that Chrysler Imperial concept's debut at this year's Detroit Auto Show caused a mixed reaction among attendees and readers would be an understatement.  Thus, we followed Matt Nauman's test drive of the concept with keen interest, to see if it might sway our staff's opinion one way or the other.

Unfortunately, the Imperial concept was barely functional. Its transmission dictated that the test drive be a limited jaunt at 15 to 20 mph. None of the instruments were functional, as they had simply been glued to the dashboard. Nauman did find the sedan more attractive in person than when on display. The concept's size, at 17 inches longer and  six inches taller than the full-sized Chrysler 300, continues to be its most impressive feature. 

The transmission, instruments, and other issues are relatively minor if Chrysler decides to develop a prototype... but the question remains if the Imperial should even get to that stage. At $40,000, it would arguably be in direct competition with Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler's partner.


[Source: Mercury News]

According to Edmunds Inside Line, DaimlerChrysler appears to be readying suppliers for production of the love/hate Imperial that debuted at the 2006 NAIAS in January. Perhaps the most interesting news is that DCX isn't only thinking about the possibility of utilizing a derivation of the LX/LY platform (which underpins the 300, Magnum, and Charger)--it's mulling dropping it on the chassis of the next-gen Mercedes-Benz R-Class crossover for 2010.

The current (and initial) iteration of the slow-selling R-Class is 203 inches in length--close to that of the Imperial concept's 214-inch elephantine span, and the present iteration has already proven its flexibility, accommodating a range of engines, transmissions and driveline configurations.

Here is the first official pic of Chrysler’s Imperial Concept that will debut next week at the Detroit auto show. Pics of the Imperial lifted from the current issue of Motor Trend have already surfaced elsewhere on the net, and reaction has been unanimous in that the new Imperial looks like a poor man’s Rolls, especially with its pedestrian-flattening grille.

Autoweek reports that the Imperial rides on a 123-inch wheelbase, which is three ticks longer than the 300C’s wheelbase. Overall the concept is 17-inches longer at 214 inches and six inches taller. Those wheels are twenty-twos, so it’s a good thing Chrysler is using the monster 5.7L Hemi with 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque to rotate them.

Entrance into the large sedan is achieved through b-pillar-less doors that welcome occupants into an interior orgy of leather, California burl wood and satin-finished aluminum. Many of the components inside are handcrafted, as well, and set off by a bath of warm interior accent lights.

Based on first impressions we’d venture to guess the Imperial Concept has less of a chance to see the inside of an assembly plant than does its concept cousin, the Challenger. If produced the Imperial would occupy the top slot in Chrysler’s sedan lineup above the 300C.