LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the goal to make every
Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge product the coolest on the road, Chrysler Group
today unveiled three new custom vehicles, the first of many to be developed by
the company's Vehicle Excitement Team (VXT):
* Dodge Stratus Turbo
* Chrysler PT Super Cruiser
* Chrysler PT Big Sky
"The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) annual trade show
enables us to demonstrate our commitment to aspirational vehicles with the
creation of our own custom vehicles, and through partnerships with aftermarket
suppliers," said Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President Global Sales, Marketing
and Service, Chrysler Group. "We're here to showcase vehicle personalization
with our very own customized vehicles."
"Throughout our organization we have employees who enjoy working on wild
stuff appealing to automotive enthusiasts covering a wide range of special
vehicle projects," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler
Group. "The one-off custom vehicles our Vehicle Excitement Team creates are
test beds that we use to gauge consumer interest. They let us explore new
ideas based on production cars, or explore ideas that our supplier partners
propose."
Chrysler Group's VXT was formed to coordinate the relationship between
internal interests, SEMA member companies and suppliers to produce special
edition vehicles for shows.
The VXT's work is part of the greater emphasis that the Chrysler Group is
placing on performance parts, accessories and customization. Earlier this
year Chrysler Group announced it will make vehicle technical specifications
more widely available to SEMA members to encourage more aftermarket
customization.
In addition to the more than 40 show vehicles created by aftermarket
companies, following are details on VXT-designed show cars for SEMA 2002.
Dodge Stratus Turbo
Created for the everyday hot-rodder, the Dodge Stratus Turbo show car
combines the performance of a custom-tuned turbocharged engine, specially
tuned R/T suspension and head-turning custom design features that hint at the
power under its hood. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine creates 240
horsepower and 260 ft.-lbs. of torque. The performance-oriented R/T
suspension is lowered by half an inch compared with the base version for even
more precise handling. Other enthusiast-oriented features designed by
Chrysler Group engineers include a five-speed manual transmission, short-throw
shift kit, upgraded brake system for shorter stopping distances and dual
exhaust system with bright chrome tips.
Building on the class-leading design of the Dodge Stratus sedan, this
Stratus Turbo features a custom front fascia with lowered front skirting for a
more powerful appearance. The functional hood scoop optimizes air intake, and
sets the Stratus Turbo apart from other four-door sedans on the road. The
profile view highlights the custom rocker panels and side skirting for
improved aerodynamics, while 18-inch RH Evolution aluminum wheels and Michelin
Pilot Performance Redline Tires complete the package. Highlights from the
rear view include a custom fascia with integrated custom clear taillamps and
an aluminum rear wing. The exterior is finished with a cobalt blue paint from
the legendary House of Kolor in Picayune, Miss.
While the hardware of the Dodge Stratus Turbo is pure performance, the
custom interior features enhance the driving experience. Special features
include custom leather trim, a Momo leather-wrapped shift knob, unique sporty
instrument panel, an Eclipse entertainment system and chrome door handles.
While Chrysler Group's design and engineering team developed much of the
concept execution, many of the finishing touches were completed by Decoma SVE,
located in Troy, Mich., under Chrysler Group direction.
Chrysler PT Super Cruiser
The segment-defining Chrysler PT Cruiser forever changed the landscape of
the automotive industry. The Chrysler PT Super Cruiser show car appeals to a
whole new buyer with its high-performance engine, race-inspired styling and
innovative technology.
Named "Super Cruiser" for its outstanding performance, this custom two-
door Chrysler PT Cruiser features a free-flow exhaust system and a
turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that creates more than 300 horsepower. The PT
Super Cruiser is fully functional on the road, yet is prepared for road racing
with custom features such as a six-point safety cage, six-point camlock
harnesses, window nets, Lifeline fire system and Momo race seats and steering
wheel.
The two-door PT Super Cruiser features a design theme first seen on the GT
Cruiser show car in 2000. The monochromatic front and rear fascias feature
integrated bumpers to give the vehicle a clean athletic appearance. The
custom carbon fiber hood features exterior gauges, a shift light set in a
functional hood scoop and captive hood pins. Llumar created the custom
lightweight, blue-tinted windshield, while the Chrysler Group fabricated the
remaining windows in lightweight blue tinted Plexiglas(R).
From the side, the PT Super Cruiser features sill extensions, wider
fenders, 18"x 9.5-in. forged aluminum racing wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
DOT-legal road race tires and massive 12.9-inch Brembo brakes with cross-
drilled gold cadmium-plated rotors. The PT Super Cruiser includes a rear wing
and custom center-exit twin four-inch exhaust tips. The exterior design is
completed with a Chrysler Group/Rohm and Haas custom paint scheme of Octane
Orange accented with deep royal blue, which includes glass and rubber
additives.
Additionally, the race-inspired interior features a removable Infinity(R)
Entertainment Pak with a 22-inch LCD video screen, 875-watt full surround-
sound system, auxiliary batteries, folding chairs and cooler. The package
includes an X-Box game console and is completely removable to lighten the
vehicle when racing.
Chrysler Group employees in Auburn Hills, Mich., including 10 engineers
and 35 UAW members engineered and built the PT Super Cruiser. It was created
specially for SEMA.
Chrysler PT Big Sky
While the PT Super Cruiser is all about performance, the Chrysler PT Big
Sky AWD is about a new level of luxury for the award-winning PT Cruiser.
Featuring a new twist on open-air technology, the Chrysler PT Big Sky has an
innovative five-panel glass lamella roof system, which opens wide enough for
both front and rear seat occupants to get a full view of the sky.
Designed by Webasto Roof Systems, Rochester Hills, Mich., the lamella roof
system includes five separate panels. The first stationary panel acts as a
vent, while the remaining four retractable panels stack vertically at the rear
of the window opening. The roof panels and side windows are tinted using
Solutia Automotive's (Troy, Mich.) innovative new process that laminates a
color interlayer called Vanceva(TM) between two pieces of tempered glass to
create a unique tint to match the body color. This new process provides more
UV protection, intrusion resistance, sound deadening qualities and weight
reduction compared with tempered glass.
ASC Southfield, Mich., provided the PT Big Sky features a unique ground
effects package, that includes custom front and rear fascias, wheel flares and
fog lamp treatment. The rear fascia was modified to accept the Borla dual
exhaust system, while the modified front fascia features a new open-air
appearance, with silver recessed mesh on the lower portion. The profile view
highlights the polished stainless steel surround trim that accent the custom
Solutia tinted windows, chrome-trimmed side mirrors and chrome trimmed body
side moldings. Other features include 18-inch BBS wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1
tires and stainless steel brake rotors and calipers on all four wheels. The
custom rear fascia features an integrated bumper and Borla dual exhaust. PPG
created the Merlot custom paint color.
The more luxurious interior of the PT Big Sky is done in light pearl beige
with leather seating and door trim provided by Seton, Troy, Mich. Johnson
Controls Inc. created the custom front seats, which feature a W.E.T. Inc.
Comfort Cools(TM) system for heating and cooling. The interior also includes
a Panasonic custom entertainment system with DVD video and true multi-channel
surround sound. As part of the entertainment system, four video screens are
integrated into the vehicle, including a seven-inch flip out LCD monitor on
the instrument panel, two LCD monitors in the back of the front seats and a
15-inch removable LCD monitor in the cargo area mounted to the sliding cargo
system, which was designed and manufactured by Webasto Roof Systems.
The only PT Cruiser with an all-wheel drive system, the PT Big Sky uses
technology to offer better traction and complement the luxury features of this
show car. While this one-of-a-kind PT Cruiser came from Chrysler Group, ASC
Creative Services performed the custom work and integration based on a design
created in conjunction with the Chrysler Group.
SOURCE Chrysler Group
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Related links:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com
CONTACT:
Carrie McElwee, +1-248-512-2664, or Richard
Deneau, +1-248-512-2694, both of Chrysler Group
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