Thursday 27th February 2003

Chrysler Airflite

Attractive alternative to Euroboxes or another mid-Atlantic styling anomaly?

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Chrysler's designers have been slaving away over their crayons and have once again come up with a design that whilst may not excite everyone, does at least retain some originality in these days of blobby cars.

The new Airflite concept vehicle is obviously derived from the Crossfire, but features four doors. The curvaceous roofline suggests it might just be a long coupe or 2+2, the designers have worked a couple of doors into the rear, retaining the distinctive look of the Crossfire, whilst producing a vehicle that will appeal to a wider audience.

Up front is a 3.5 litre V6 drive is to the rear wheels.

It may just be a concept, but the Airflite is very likely to make production, strengthening the Chrysler brand in Europe and offering a genuine alternative to those buyers bored of European 4 seaters.

[sublimatica]

It may be likely to go into production, but I bet it looks very little like this thing when it eventually does...

...which is a pity, because I kinda like it. Among other things, I like the fact that it doesn't have today's "standard" wheelarches á la Focus, Mondeo, Vectra etc.

Photos of the new Clio didn't do it justice, but I think that's a corker too. Full marks to Renault for sticking its corporate neck out in these dull days with its current range of cars.

[jondokic]

Good looking machine. Bet it will be bloated and overchromed by the time it reaches the market. Bad name too-though perhaps they could do a hearse conversion=Chrysler Afterlife ?