Chrysler Firepower: A Vette Fighter Extraordinaire
Chrysler is toying around with the idea of building a vehicle
that will go where no Chrysler moniker has gone before it: on
the raceway. Sure, there have been stock Newports and Cordobas
that have been raced, but nothing that was "pure race material"
has ever worn a Chrysler label. Dodge yes, but Chrysler no. That
may all change if the Firepower is built. Read on and let's see
what this hot looking car is all about.
The U.S. auto shows throughout 2005 featured a number of great
looking concepts. One of the vehicles, a Chrysler Firepower,
drew strong interest from visitors. Based on this consumer
interest, the Firepower may go from concept to developing
project if several DaimlerChrysler officials have their way.
Borrowing heavily from the Dodge Viper sport car, the Firepower
concept has the Corvette in its crosshairs. In fact, the
Firepower is likely to be a more luxurious version of the Viper,
borrowing its engine, transmission, and entire platform. As you
know, the Viper also competes with the Corvette.
Depending on which schematics Chrysler decides to go with, the
body itself may only be slightly different from the Viper.
However, the concept car clearly shows that the Firepower has
its own skin, so it remains to be seen what the final mock up of
the production version will look like.
Like the Viper, V10 power with 500+ horsepower will likely be
standard with the Firepower. Beyond that, look for leather
everything, a sophisticated navigation and sound system, and
real wood trim. Hey, for $80,000 you better get the real stuff!
We won't know until this Spring whether the Firepower will see
the light of day. DCX may decide that the Firepower could steal
more sales from the Viper than the Vette, resulting in the
project being cancelled. Still, if the right design is chosen
the Firepower would hold its own in a competitive market and
complement the Viper not compete against it.