CHRYSLER GROUP
The
Imperials exterior artfully blends a stately nobility, hand craftsmanship,
and modern dynamic sculpture and proportion, says Mike Nicholas, principal
exterior designer
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Chrysler Imperial Concept Showcases Best of Both WorldsLike the great Imperials of Chryslers storied past, the 2006 Imperial concept vehicle is designed as Chryslers flagship, a luxury sedan that is elegant, provocative, aspirational, yet attainable.
Hinged at the A and C-pillars, the wide doors can be flung open a la French doors for a dignified entry, revealing the absence of the customary B-pillar and permitting a dramatic realization of the entire interior. Attention to detail and materials is unsurpassed. In studied contrast to the monochromatic Imperial Bronze exterior, the high-contrast four-passenger cabin is smartly two-toned in rich Bay Brown and buttery Birch Creme, inviting the viewer into a world of supple leather and soft suede complemented by California burl wood and metallic-like accents rendered in a lustrous warm bronze. The interior is characterized by the interplay of harmonious, expressively curving shapes in which the fuller forms of the instrument panel, door armrest and map pocket elements appear to float above sculpted recessed cavities. Even the seats seem to float above the floor. Their elliptically-curved bronze-and-burl side shields echo similar elements recessed into the fulllength floor console. We wanted everything inside to be nested, fitted and hand-crafted, says Nick Malachowski, principal interior designer, with every component subtly reinforcing the hand-sculpted look of the exterior. This is a drivers car, with a minimum of distracting gadgetry. A simple touch pad with intuitive controls, mounted close-by on the suspended center console armrest, permits the driver to adjust settings for radio, climate and navigation functions. The driver air bag/horn pad is fixed, allowing the radio and cruise-control switches to remain settled in the same position regardless of the turning steering wheel. Boldly bisecting the uncluttered floating wood-and-bronze instrument panel are two large circular pods encircling sculpted gauges rendered in satin with polished aluminum bezels. Reminiscent of earlier Imperials, the exquisitely-detailed gauge faces are deliberately designed to satisfy the soul as well as inform the mind. Since the windshield glass is carried up onto the mid-point of the roof, front seat occupants enjoy a comprehensive view of the passing scene. All glass has a distinctive bronze tint to harmonize with the cars color palette. Rear passengers can recline their individual seats while watching different movies, thanks to the console-mounted dual-view entertainment screen and wireless headsets. The rear seat headsets store in the package tray at the touch of a button when not needed. Finally, there is the luxury of expressive illumination inspired by the artistry and elegance found in modern interior architecture. LED lighting, placed behind the floating elements of the instrument panel and doors, is used to enhance the sculptural elements of the interior. LED lights also provide indirect cove lighting for the headliner, which in addition offers the choice of electroluminescently-lit fabric or directed-beam spotlights located in the overhead console. Drawing on the rich heritage of its memorable predecessors and endowed with modern dynamic proportions, this newest Imperial, crafted with a nobility of stance and purpose, is the finest expression of the Chrysler marque.
CHRYSLER GROUP
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