Chrysler's New Corvette Rival

By Feann Torr - 19/11/2004

Chrysler has released teasing images of two new vehicles that it plans to unveil at the 2005 NAIAS (aka the Detroit Motor Show).

With names like Gladiator and Firepower, it's probably fair to say that Chrysler isn't shooting for a female demographic, but beyond the names (that are likely to change anyway), both vehicles pique one's interest in different ways.

The Firepower concept is perhaps the more intriguing model, and if you can get past the well-intentioned-but-soggy name, you'll see that it's got more than a thing or two in common with the General's Corvette.

It would be a colossal undertaking by Chrysler to try and wrest market share from Chevrolet's 'Vette, which has decades of heritage backing up its contemporary and very svelte new model.

But take one look at the computer generated images and you can see that the new C6 Corvette's proportions were kept in mind when styling the new car.

It's a low car, sleekly styled with an aggressively angled front end, and has bulging rear wheel arches and short front and rear overhangs.

It's also based on the Dodge Viper's underpinnings, and because it won't have a massively heavy 8.3-litre 10-cylinder mill sitting over its front axle, it should be quite an entertaining car to drive as well.

There's more to this possible attack on GM's most recognisable icon - though the new Corvette has been gifted with GM's new LS2 V8 engine that displaces a not-insignificant 6.0-litres, Chrysler has rocked up to the American sports coupe party with a 6.1-litre HEMI V8, which would give it engine capacity bragging rights - at least on paper.

Together with its aerodynamic body, it should allow the Firepower concept to reach 300km/h in a straight line.

The two-seater Firepower concept "pushes beyond the 'sports car' realm by blending expressive detail and engineering" according to Chrysler, and also gets a very trick panoramic glass roof that extends to the rear liftgate.

The Jeep Gladiator is the second vehicle that Chrysler will be showcasing in Detroit in early 2005, and is a 'lifestyle pick-up' that incorporates a retro front end design that harks back to the popular Jeep Wrangler.

Together with a large rear tray and an army green paintjob, it may tempt patriotic buyers who were considering an H2 Hummer, with its rugged military look. It features an open-air canvas top, a stowaway rear seat cushion and an extendable truck bed.

We'll have all the details from the Detroit Motor Show early in 2005.