Photo: vburlapp / Instagram
Indeed, the big bosses in the corner offices are blaming each other, and even CEO Carlos Tavares has weighed in, saying he thinks some managers aren’t doing everything they can. In fact, he’s even threatened to cut ties with unprofitable brands, either by pulling them out or by grouping them together in partnerships. Frankly, it’s easy to see why they would do that, when many of the company’s brands only have one or two models in their lineup.
This is the case of Chrysler, which has had a pretty severe slump over the years, but still reigns supreme in the American market. MPV department, but competition is less noteworthy, as the Pacifica competes only with the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Kia’s Carnival. Plus, the ailing minivan, hit again with a recall just last month, is holding the flag on its own after the Chrysler 300 sedan ceased production, just like the L-body Dodge Charger sedan and Challenger coupe last year.
The latest concept, called Halcyon, followed the Airflow crossover concept with a classic sports sedan look and quirky features like butterfly doors. It raises hopes that Chrysler could get a new model in the lineup in the near future. However, it hasn't been heard from since it was announced in February, and the fight to get it back continues.
Well, according to the parallel universes of vehicular CGI and their imaginary realms of digital content creators for cars, it would be pretty easy to return to former glory if the big bosses in the corner offices of Stellantis simply approved a new vehicle. For example, Vince Burlapp (aka appburlap (on social media or at burlappcar.com) is a prolific virtual artist who loves to dream up all the latest models in the vast automotive world and has a ton of ideas about a potential all-new Chrysler model.
His wildest dreams include a revival of the Chrysler Imperial brand as a flagship STLA-based sedan-coupe duo that could make land yachts great again. He even imagines quirky models like Maserati’s failed Chrysler TC being resurrected for the STLA era. But, of course, he’s more than aware that the auto industry is currently dominated by crossovers, SUVs, and trucks, with or without an all-electric powertrain.
So, not long ago, he remembered how, in 2000, Chrysler showed the Citadel concept car at the Washington DC Auto Show, a high-performance hybrid that eventually led to the creation of the Pacifica Hybrid, so he revived the nickname. Only this time, it was a large crossover. Off-road which could, unofficially and hypothetically, compete with any American model, from Mazda's CX-90 to Cadillac's Lyriq, if only Chrysler decided to produce it.
Now, as a companion, the pixel master has also dreamed up a Chrysler compact crossover SUV as a companion to the Citadel that would use the STLA Small version of the modular platform. It could easily be twinned with models already on the (European) market, such as the reborn Opel Frontera, Citroen C3 or Fiat Grande Panda, to lower development costs. Additionally, it could get both hybrid and fully electric versions, perhaps twinned with the upcoming Jeep Renegade Electric vehicle. As such, it would be a hit in the $35k price range, going up against the upcoming Volvo EX30 and Kia EV3. So, what do you think?