For decades cars had pizzazz, trucks were simply practical.
In the last few years those roles have been reversed as pickups and sport-utility vehicles have captured the attention of consumers and cars have lost some drawing power.
Automakers insist that the way to lure folks back into cars is with “gotta have, must own, passionate” products.
To do that, General Motors has formed a Performance Division, Ford a Performance Group that includes it Special Vehicle Team and Chrysler Group a Performance Vehicle Operation to produce factory-tuned performance derivatives, special-edition vehicles and performance parts and accessories for consumers to personalize their vehicles.
Each wants to change the view that cars are just machines that get you from here to there by burning only a little fuel.
Though trucks also will get the automakers’ performance group attention, the automakers unveiled a variety of performance cars at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show here this week.
Pontiac, for example, announced that its high-performance Bonneville GXP concept car (Cars, Nov. 4) introduced at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, will become an even higher-performance production model in the first quarter of ’04.
And Ford detailed plans to bring out an SVT Mustang Cobra next summer (Cars, Nov. 4) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its SVT producing high-powered versions of existing models.
Dodge used SEMA to announce it will add the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 now offered in heavy-duty Ram pickups as a $795 option in light-duty Ram pickups, beginning in January.
But while spotlighting a performance truck, it was a trio of Chrysler concept cars that captured the most attention.
The concepts, introduced as part of Chrysler’s new Vehicle Excitement Team, hint at future renditions of the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler PT Cruiser created by a “skunk works” Vehicle Excitement Team similar to the one that came up with the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler.
“These one-off custom vehicles are test beds of ideas created to gauge consumer interest and let us explore new ideas based on production cars or explore ideas that our supplier partners propose,” said Wolfgang Bernhard, chief operating officer of the Chrysler Group.
The Stratus Turbo is being considered as a low-volume, high-performance derivative for the enthusiast market. It comes with the same 2.4-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder that will power the Dodge Neon SRT4 due out next spring as the first product from Chrysler’s new PVO, or Performance Vehicle Operations. Only the Stratus will deliver 240 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque, the Neon 215 h.p. and 240 foot-pounds of torque.
Stratus Turbo also comes with a performance-oriented R/T suspension lowered by half an inch for better handling, five-speed manual transmission, upgraded brakes for shorter stopping distances and dual exhausts with chrome tips.
Appearance modifications to differentiate it from the current Stratus include a custom front fascia with lowered skirting, functional hood scoop to optimize air intake, rocker-panel extensions and side skirting, winged deck-lid spoiler and 18-inch aluminum wheels with Michelin performance radials.
The PT Super Cruiser hints at yet another derivative being considered for the retro model in the Chrysler lineup that includes a PT Turbo and soon a PT convertible.
The PT Super Cruiser is a two-door concept of a higher-performance offering with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that delivers more than 300 h.p. (215 h.p. in the current PT Turbo).
Super Cruiser has such novelties as six-point roll cage, six-point seat harnesses, window nets, functional hood scoop and decorative captive hood pins to keep the hood in place.
But more likely for a production vehicle are the monochromatic body treatment with integrated bumpers, door sill extensions, rear-wing spoiler, twin exhaust tips and 18-inch aluminum racing wheels.
Other features include a removable entertainment system with 22-inch LCD video screen, folding chairs and cooler.
At first glance, the four-door Chrysler PT Big Sky is noteworthy for a five-panel glass roof system that opens wide enough for front and rear seat occupants to get a full view overhead.
But this is a Cruiser with all-wheel-drive that provides solid footing for high-performance maneuvers as well as all-season motoring. And with AWD, even more Cruiser derivatives are possible, from pickups to sport-ute.
It also comes with a few features worth noting for future Cruisers: a Panasonic entertainment system with DVD video and viewing screens built into the seat backs, a slide-out tray in the cargo hold and heated/cooled seats.
Ford says that next up in its Living Legend Series will be the Mustang Mach 1 with a decorative ram air “shaker” hood, a design cue borrowed from the original 1969 fastback.
It will join the Mustang Bullitt, Thunderbird, Ford GT40 and the Forty-Nine concept in the Living Legends series designed to give modern cars an infusion of muscle-car memories “to keep the flame of passion lit,” said Jim O’Connor, group vice president of Ford North American sales and marketing.
Cars such as Bullitt and Mach 1 “are a glance in the mirror of Mustang’s storied past, special edition models designed to turn today’s customers into tomorrows enthusiasts,” O’Connor said.
Mach 1, he said, is a limited edition designed to bridge the gap between the past, present and future of Mustang, with the future coming in ’05, when the next generation bows.
The original Mach 1, one of the most collectible Mustangs, was offered from the 1969 to the 1978 model years. The ’03 goes on sale this month and will be limited to 6,500 copies.
Mach 1 will feature an all-aluminum 4.6-liter, 305-h.p., 32-valve V-8 delivering 320 foot-pounds of torque with a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
It also will have a performance tuned sports suspension, 17-inch wheels with galloping pony logos, black leather seats, black extended front air dam, rear-deck spoiler, body side scoops and that “shaker” hood, so named because the scoop on the original model was mounted directly onto the carburetor through an opening in the hood and shook in rhythm with every blip of the throttle.
Like the Mustang Bullitt that came out in 2001 as a tribute to the car from the movie of the same name, each Mach 1 will come with a unique engine code to ensure exclusivity and collectibility.
