When the Chrysler Nassau concept was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, more than a few pundits panned the premium hatch as less than desirable. For one, there aren't a lot of hatchbacks that sell for over $20,000 in the US market, and the Nassau doesn't look cheap. It's also tough for any vehicle to follow up on the success of something as popular as the current 300C, and the Nassau concept had been labeled as a possible next-generation iteration of the RWD mobster/hip-hop sedan.

While there is little doubt in our minds that the Nassau would be in a heap of trouble trying to replace the 300C, we wouldn't be surprised if such a vehicle could serve as a softer, gentler, complimentary vehicle in a future Chrysler lineup. Our opportunity to drive the Nassau was brief, but it gave us a chance to appreciate the concept from behind the wheel, and our overall opinion is fairly positive. Hit the jump to read our test drive of the Chrysler Nassau concept.

Click image for a high-resolution photo gallery

With a press conference set to the percussion of the Drum Cafe, Chrysler rolled out the Nassau "shooting brake" concept this afternoon to hint at the future styling direction for the brand and especially its RWD line-up.

Based on the LX platform and stuffed with the SRT8 powertrain (that's a 425 HP 6.1L Hemi and 5-speed A580 automatic), the Nassau strikes a far different pose than its 300C predecessor. Viewed from a low front 3/4 perspective, the rear cargo area disappears and the silhouette takes on the popular "four-door coupe" appearance. Viewed from behind, well, it has a rather boat-tailed look.

The impossibly white interior features a center stack that brings a cell phone-like appearance, along with console-mounted multimedia controllers for the front and rear passengers. The driver gets to select gearbox position via pushbuttons on the instrument panel and a pair of paddles behind the steering wheel; the gauge package is said to be inspired by "expensive" watches.



Plenty of high-res shots from the press conference are included in our gallery.

We've arrived at episode #53 of the Autoblog Podcast, which means we're at the final stage of the Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes. The prize this week is the king of all iPods, an 80GB iPod Video. It doesn't get any better than that, so if you've been waiting to enter the sweepstakes, now's the time. To do so, listen to the podcast and wait to hear the secret keyword revealed. Once you've got it, email the keyword to abresearch at gmail dot com along with your name, age and address. That's it! We'll accept submissions through Wednesday, January 10th at 12 AM EST, at which time we'll randomly draw the final winner. Check out the official rules here and subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes by clicking here.

For episode #53, we continue our discussion of concept and production cars that have been unofficially debuted ahead of the Detroit Auto Show that begins this weekend. The Chrysler Group had three vehicles prematurely revealed, including the Chrysler Nassau Concept, Jeep Trailhawk Concept and 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10, now with 600 ponies of ridiculous power. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Convertible also was revealed last week, but the biggest attention getter had to be the Ford Interceptor Concept, a rear-wheel drive Mustang-based sedan which gets a thorough once over on the podcast. Finally, news came in the past few days that the next-generation Ford Explorer would leave its truck roots and be born again as a large CUV. Along with our discussion of the news, we also read some feedback from listeners on how the new show is going. Enjoy!

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click above image for complete high res gallery

Motor Trend's early release of its February issue also brought with it the breaking of Chrysler's embargo on the Nassau Concept. Built on the Chrysler 300's platform, the Nassau is a four-door, four-passenger "luxury coupe" according to its makers, and with skimpy front and rear overhangs appears smaller than the sedan on which it is based. Is it a wagon, a hatchback or multi-utility vehicle? Who knows, but we can say it's a sharp interpretation of Chrysler design cues that trades in the slab sides of the 300 for fast lines and a swept back front fascia. Of course, no show car would be complete without show wheels, and the Nassau sports 21-inch, ten-spoke rims in keeping with tradition.



You'll find Chrysler's full press release on the Nassau and complete specs after the jump, along with more of our own thoughts. Check out our gallery of 21 high resolution images, as well, which we imagine will be adorning many a desktop by this afternoon.

[Source: Chrysler]

We told you about two Chrysler concepts that will be debuting at the 2007 North American International Auto Show back in late November when the automaker released sketches of the Chrysler Nassau and Jeep Trailhawk. Today we were offered a video (embedded after the jump) that gives us glimpses of each concept amid snaps of bongo drums being played. The theme of the short vid is "Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum", and just by releasing such a video we think they're point is made. The above shot is the best view we get of the Nassau's front end, while a rear shot flashes on screen that shows the vehicle is clearly a four-door hatch. There are a few interior shots slid in there, as well.

What we love about concepts from DaimlerChrysler is that they tend to be realistic with a genuine shot at production. If public reaction to either of these concepts is significant enough, that will instigate a serious talk among bean counters and execs about whether or not their production is feasible and profitable. To us, these concepts are much more exciting than pie-in-the-sky turntable queens that show "design DNA" (a favorite industry buzz phrase this time of year) and nothing else.

Follow the jump to check out the video.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Looks the trickle of officially leaked images is becoming a deluge far in advance of the L.A. Auto Show next week. First it was the interior pic of the 2008 Chevy Malibu released by General Motors earlier today, and now the Chrysler Group has given us renderings of a pair of concepts that will appear in its booth at the L.A. show. Pictured above is the Jeep Trailhawk, so named for the "cropped" headlamps that "produce the countenance of a bird of prey." Or so says the highly stylized PR text that accompanies the photo (read the rest below). The Trailhawk appears to be a cross between a Wrangler Unlimited and a Grand Cherokee, a highly effective off-road weapon that also coddles its occupants more than the military-bred Wrangler.

The Jeep Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core features of the Jeep Wrangler with the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Derived from the all-new 2007 Wrangler architecture, the Jeep Trailhawk concept taps into "Jeep Rugged" attributes to provide classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom. The headlamps, cropped and peering out from beneath a diagonal brow, produce the countenance of a bird of prey, and the inspiration for the "Trailhawk" name.

The other concept is for Chrysler and is called the Nassau. It's another one of those four-door coupes in the style of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, and judging from the sketch it pulls off the whole big sedan thing with a lot more grace than last year's Imperial concept. Check out the rendering and its PR jargon after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler via Jalopnik]