Hot dream drives

Grosse Pointe, Mich.–Given the Chrysler Group's acquisition by the private equity firm Cerberus and the resulting state of uncertainty, it would be easy to dismiss a media drive of some Chrysler concepts and show vehicles as a simple bid for positive ink.

That would only be half right.

The firm wants good press right now, but says this event was months in the making, predating the Cerberus takeover.

The auto maker has held such gatherings before, although allowing journalists to venture out on to public roads with these vehicles was unusual.

While these concepts are unlikely to make it to production, the influence of their styling and some of the ideas that they present probably will.

Dodge Demon

Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Demon roadster was the only one of the cars and trucks present here that wasn't based on an existing vehicle's platform.

Yet this driveable concept, fashioned from a mix of handmade and parts-bin pieces, appeared to have been crafted with production in mind.

Comparison to Mazda's MX-5 is inevitable. Although Demon's 2.4-litre four has a slight horsepower advantage (172 vs. 166), the Dodge's size and estimated curb weight are slightly higher, so any advantage is likely academic.

While the bold, angular exterior, penned by Jae Chung, is quite attractive, a nod must also go to Dan Zimmermann, who was responsible for the well-executed, handsome interior, which can seat a 6-foot-5 driver.

The trunk is reasonably large, though the concept's lack of a folding top prevents a decision on cargo space.

Dodge Targa NFLD. Caliber

Less concept than de facto race car, this specially prepared Dodge Caliber is based on the upcoming high-performance SRT4 model, and uses its 300 hp, 2.4-litre turbo engine.

Sporting a gutted interior, a full roll cage and still wearing a worn set of race-spec tires, the rally monster made only one concession to "show" demands: a bright blue-and-white paint scheme.

With Chrysler Group designer Ralph Gilles at the wheel, it claimed first in class and 15th overall in last year's Targa Newfoundland.

Chrysler Nassau

Unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January, Nassau takes the current 300's mob-car sedan styling in a whole different direction.

This baby's coupe-like roofline tapers into a boat-tail liftgate. The engine is a 6.1-litre Hemi V8.

At its introduction, my first impression of the Nassau was "nice nose, sorry about the rest." But seeing the car away from the show floor's harsh lighting, on real roads, I came away much more appreciative.

Whether hatchback-shunning American consumers would embrace this substantial change in tack would be a real gamble.

Chrysler may not be prepared to make such a leap, but elements of the Nassau's design could easily find a use.

Jeep Wrangler JT

Compact regular cab pickups seem an almost extinct breed, yet that's what Jeep derives from its new four-door Wrangler Unlimited SUV.

Crazy? Hardly.

Look at the continuing success of the YJ/TJ/Wrangler, two-door classics that defy conventional wisdom by being crude, noisy and impractical, yet charming, all at the same time.

Jeeps have the kind of brand image and loyalty that others only dream of.

Even with its short, 1.5-metre box, the JT pickup, with its butch military styling, would likely find buyers.

In addition to the loyalists, Jeep is clearly targeting a youthful, loud-music-loving demographic – why else would they have painted the JT "Hearing Aid Beige"?

Jeep Trailhawk

A true concept vehicle, the Trailhawk rides on a Wrangler Unlimited chassis and is powered by the Grand Cherokee's 3.0-litre V6 diesel.

Trailhawk is intended to meld the open-air feel and off-road abilities of the Wrangler with the upscale attributes of the Grand Cherokee.

Its blend of visual contrasts is striking. From the waistline down, exaggerated squared-off fender flares and wheel arches recall traditional Jeep cues.

The short, raked, almost curvaceous satin-metallic greenhouse suggests a pillarless hardtop coupe.

As the Wrangler is essentially a convertible already, the four-door Trailhawk's elongated T-roof design isn't a complete fantasy.

But the concept's aggressive front-end styling, with its diagonally stacked and cropped headlight layout, will more likely be seen on the next Grand Cherokee rather than on a production version of this unusual design exercise.

Of the concepts shown here, Demon edges Nassau for my vote for "gotta build it."

(Auto writers also checked out the Dodge Hemi Nitro, Chrysler Sebring Tuner and Jeep Wrangler Ultimate – interesting concepts all.)

With the Viper becoming so powerful and so expensive that it's almost irrelevant, the Dodge brand could use the "halo effect" of an attainable roadster.

Certainly Mazda and General Motors, with its Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, have demonstrated the ongoing appeal of drop-tops.

Chrysler, if you build it, they will come.

wheels@thestar.ca;

bandb.early@sympatico.ca

More videos from Wheels.ca and our partners