Once in a while I do an internet search on "Imperial" or "Chrysler Imperial" and notice items mentioning a possible resurrection of the model. Some have even appeared fairly recently, in 2014, and a few are nearly current. If Peter De Lorenzo is even halfway correct in his many assessments of Fiat-Chrysler's state, such a reappearance any time soon -- if ever -- is doubtful.
The most tangible evidence of a new Chrysler Imperial was a 2006 concept car. Here is what one Chrysler fan site had to say about it a few years later. It includes quotations from personnel involved in the project.
My reaction to the first photos I saw of the Chrysler Imperial Concept was: What Were They Thinking?
Gallery
First, two views of the 2005 Chrysler 300C. This sales-success car's platform was the basis for the Chrysler Imperial Concept.
Front three-quarter view of the Concept. Its wheelbase was three inches (about 7.6 cm) longer than the 300's, its length 17 inches (43.2 cm) longer, and its height 6 inches (15.2 cm) taller than production 300s. My take is that the car is too massive. Given a station wagon (break) rear end, it would work well as a luxury SUV such as we are starting to see from the likes of Bentley and Jaguar, but it fails as a sedan. The short hood and truck-like snout are not helpful.
The Concept has no B-pillars, not even stub ones. The curved sheet metal suggesting a rear fender begins too low, adding to the appearance (along with the reality) of bulk.
Rear three-quarter view. The pinched, quasi-boat-tail trunk lid also helps make the car seem taller than it should be.
I doubt that a resurrected Chrysler Imperial based on this design would have sold very well.
Once in a while I do an internet search on "Imperial" or "Chrysler Imperial" and notice items mentioning a possible resurrection of the model. Some have even appeared fairly recently, in 2014, and a few are nearly current. If Peter De Lorenzo is even halfway correct in his many assessments of Fiat-Chrysler's state, such a reappearance any time soon -- if ever -- is doubtful.
The most tangible evidence of a new Chrysler Imperial was a 2006 concept car. Here is what one Chrysler fan site had to say about it a few years later. It includes quotations from personnel involved in the project.
My reaction to the first photos I saw of the Chrysler Imperial Concept was: What Were They Thinking?
Gallery
First, two views of the 2005 Chrysler 300C. This sales-success car's platform was the basis for the Chrysler Imperial Concept.
Front three-quarter view of the Concept. Its wheelbase was three inches (about 7.6 cm) longer than the 300's, its length 17 inches (43.2 cm) longer, and its height 6 inches (15.2 cm) taller than production 300s. My take is that the car is too massive. Given a station wagon (break) rear end, it would work well as a luxury SUV such as we are starting to see from the likes of Bentley and Jaguar, but it fails as a sedan. The short hood and truck-like snout are not helpful.
The Concept has no B-pillars, not even stub ones. The curved sheet metal suggesting a rear fender begins too low, adding to the appearance (along with the reality) of bulk.
Rear three-quarter view. The pinched, quasi-boat-tail trunk lid also helps make the car seem taller than it should be.
I doubt that a resurrected Chrysler Imperial based on this design would have sold very well.
EmoticonEmoticon