Introduced: Nov 04, 2003 at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas, NV.
Chrysler PT Coupe - Concept
Introduced: Nov 04, 2003 at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas, NV.
Enthusiasm for Chrysler PT Cruiser customization is taken to a new level with the Chrysler PT Coupe Concept. In partnership with Decoma International, Inc., the Chrysler Group SkunkWerks team began with the new (available early 2004) Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, and added a permanent hard top and functional drop tail gate to turn it into the PT Coupe Concept.
Its aggressive stance begins with a lowered suspension, courtesy of a Mopar coilover suspension kit. Colorado Custom has provided 19 x 8-inch custom-cut aluminum wheels, which wear low-profile P235/35R19 tires from Bridgestone.
The PT Coupe Concept’s interior features aggressively bolstered 2+2 seating, with a dramatic focus on the cockpit. Most of the interior – including the entire back seat area – is trimmed in navy blue leather, while the cockpit features a combination of light pearl beige and navy blue leather. The rear view mirror incorporates a pop-out screen for backup assist (the camera is in the rear spoiler). The 900-watt premium audio system incorporates 18 Infinity speakers.
Under the hood is a 235 horsepower 2.4-liter high-output turbocharged engine, enhanced with the Mopar Stage 1 turbo upgrade. Additional performance enhancements include a Borla dual tip exhaust, and two-piston caliper performance brakes from StopTech High Performance Brake Systems.
Not since the days of the muscle car have performance-oriented products been given such an influential role at the Chrysler Group. Consumers experience it through performance parts from Mopar®, the winning Dodge Motorsports cars and trucks on America’s race tracks, and the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) niche vehicles developed by the company’s Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO).
But where does PVO get its ideas? Among the answers is the company’s SkunkWerks team – an unofficial group that was brought together as part of Chrysler Group’s growing emphasis on performance parts, accessories and customization.
“We work closely with the Chrysler Group SkunkWerks team in looking at future directions for performance vehicles and parts,” said Dan Knott, Director, Performance Vehicle Operations, whose responsibilities include overseeing the engineering of current and future Mopar Performance Parts. “Like PVO, the SkunkWerks team is composed of a group of dedicated enthusiasts that enjoy working on a wide range of special vehicle projects. They clearly have a grasp of what’s hot in the aftermarket industry. They are really able to stretch their imagination, and that helps us significantly as we develop the next renditions of SRT vehicles and Mopar Performance Parts.
“It’s important to note that several of the SkunkWerks team members are PVO engineers,” Knott added. “They walk the talk as PVO engineers during the day, and after hours they are enthusiasts working on SkunkWerks projects or their own vehicles. It all makes for lively idea generation between PVO and the SkunkWerks team.”
Venues such as the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show enable the Chrysler Group to demonstrate its commitment to aspirational vehicles – and specifically to vehicle customization and personalization. In the past several years, the company’s Vehicle Excitement Team (VXT) has partnered with SEMA members to help them create more than a hundred new custom Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles.
Formed last year, the SkunkWerks team, however, develops its own customized vehicles “straight from the factory.” “First and foremost, the one-off custom vehicles the SkunkWerks team creates are test beds – dream applications, really – for future vehicle designs and Mopar Performance Parts, that we use to gauge consumer interest,” said Ralph Gilles, Director, Interior/Exterior Product Design and Specialty Vehicles – and leader of the SkunkWerks team. “We are really able to push the envelope with these vehicles, by exploring a wide variety of new ideas that come from our engineering and design teams and from our supplier partners.”
In addition to more than 25 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles created by aftermarket companies – in tandem with Chrysler Group’s VXT – for this year’s SEMA show, the following are highlights of seven SkunkWerks-designed show cars for SEMA 2003.
Chrysler PT Coupe - Concept
Introduced: Nov 04, 2003 at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas, NV.