Chrysler Group Debuts Vehicle Excitement Team And Three New Show Cars at SEMA Event

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2002-- With the goal to make every Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge product the coolest on the road, Chrysler Group today unveiled three new custom vehicles, the first of many to be developed by the company's Vehicle Excitement Team (VXT): Dodge Stratus Turbo Chrysler PT Super Cruiser Chrysler PT Big Sky "The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) annual trade show enables us to demonstrate our commitment to aspirational vehicles with the creation of our own custom vehicles, and through partnerships with aftermarket suppliers," said Jim Schroer, Executive Vice President Global Sales, Marketing and Service, Chrysler Group. "We're here to showcase vehicle personalization with our very own customized vehicles."

"Throughout our organization we have employees who enjoy working on wild stuff appealing to automotive enthusiasts covering a wide range of special vehicle projects," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group. "The one-off custom vehicles our Vehicle Excitement Team creates are test beds that we use to gauge consumer interest. They let us explore new ideas based on production cars, or explore ideas that our supplier partners propose."

Chrysler Group's VXT was formed to coordinate the relationship between internal interests, SEMA member companies and suppliers to produce special edition vehicles for shows.

The VXT's work is part of the greater emphasis that the Chrysler Group is placing on performance parts, accessories and customization. Earlier this year Chrysler Group announced it will make vehicle technical specifications more widely available to SEMA members to encourage more aftermarket customization.

In addition to the more than 40 show vehicles created by aftermarket companies, following are details on VXT-designed show cars for SEMA 2002.

Dodge Stratus Turbo

Created for the everyday hot-rodder, the Dodge Stratus Turbo show car combines the performance of a custom-tuned turbocharged engine, specially tuned R/T suspension and head-turning custom design features that hint at the power under its hood. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine creates 240 horsepower and 260 ft.-lbs. of torque. The performance-oriented R/T suspension is lowered by half an inch compared with the base version for even more precise handling. Other enthusiast-oriented features designed by Chrysler Group engineers include a five-speed manual transmission, short-throw shift kit, upgraded brake system for shorter stopping distances and dual exhaust system with bright chrome tips.

Building on the class-leading design of the Dodge Stratus sedan, this Stratus Turbo features a custom front fascia with lowered front skirting for a more powerful appearance. The functional hood scoop optimizes air intake, and sets the Stratus Turbo apart from other four-door sedans on the road. The profile view highlights the custom rocker panels and side skirting for improved aerodynamics, while 18-inch RH Evolution aluminum wheels and Michelin Pilot Performance Redline Tires complete the package. Highlights from the rear view include a custom fascia with integrated custom clear taillamps and an aluminum rear wing. The exterior is finished with a cobalt blue paint from the legendary House of Kolor in Picayune, Miss.

While the hardware of the Dodge Stratus Turbo is pure performance, the custom interior features enhance the driving experience. Special features include custom leather trim, a Momo leather-wrapped shift knob, unique sporty instrument panel, an Eclipse entertainment system and chrome door handles.

While Chrysler Group's design and engineering team developed much of the concept execution, many of the finishing touches were completed by Decoma SVE, located in Troy, Mich., under Chrysler Group direction.

Chrysler PT Super Cruiser

The segment-defining Chrysler PT Cruiser forever changed the landscape of the automotive industry. The Chrysler PT Super Cruiser show car appeals to a whole new buyer with its high-performance engine, race-inspired styling and innovative technology.

Named "Super Cruiser" for its outstanding performance, this custom two- door Chrysler PT Cruiser features a free-flow exhaust system and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that creates more than 300 horsepower. The PT Super Cruiser is fully functional on the road, yet is prepared for road racing with custom features such as a six-point safety cage, six-point camlock harnesses, window nets, Lifeline fire system and Momo race seats and steering wheel.

The two-door PT Super Cruiser features a design theme first seen on the GT Cruiser show car in 2000. The monochromatic front and rear fascias feature integrated bumpers to give the vehicle a clean athletic appearance. The custom carbon fiber hood features exterior gauges, a shift light set in a functional hood scoop and captive hood pins. Llumar created the custom lightweight, blue-tinted windshield, while the Chrysler Group fabricated the remaining windows in lightweight blue tinted Plexiglas®.

From the side, the PT Super Cruiser features sill extensions, wider fenders, 18"x 9.5-in. forged aluminum racing wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup DOT-legal road race tires and massive 12.9-inch Brembo brakes with cross- drilled gold cadmium-plated rotors. The PT Super Cruiser includes a rear wing and custom center-exit twin four-inch exhaust tips. The exterior design is completed with a Chrysler Group/Rohm and Haas custom paint scheme of Octane Orange accented with deep royal blue, which includes glass and rubber additives.

Additionally, the race-inspired interior features a removable Infinity® Entertainment Pak with a 22-inch LCD video screen, 875-watt full surround- sound system, auxiliary batteries, folding chairs and cooler. The package includes an X-Box game console and is completely removable to lighten the vehicle when racing.

Chrysler Group employees in Auburn Hills, Mich., including 10 engineers and 35 UAW members engineered and built the PT Super Cruiser. It was created specially for SEMA.

Chrysler PT Big Sky

While the PT Super Cruiser is all about performance, the Chrysler PT Big Sky AWD is about a new level of luxury for the award-winning PT Cruiser. Featuring a new twist on open-air technology, the Chrysler PT Big Sky has an innovative five-panel glass lamella roof system, which opens wide enough for both front and rear seat occupants to get a full view of the sky.

Designed by Webasto Roof Systems, Rochester Hills, Mich., the lamella roof system includes five separate panels. The first stationary panel acts as a vent, while the remaining four retractable panels stack vertically at the rear of the window opening. The roof panels and side windows are tinted using Solutia Automotive's (Troy, Mich.) innovative new process that laminates a color interlayer called Vanceva(TM) between two pieces of tempered glass to create a unique tint to match the body color. This new process provides more UV protection, intrusion resistance, sound deadening qualities and weight reduction compared with tempered glass.

ASC Southfield, Mich., provided the PT Big Sky features a unique ground effects package, that includes custom front and rear fascias, wheel flares and fog lamp treatment. The rear fascia was modified to accept the Borla dual exhaust system, while the modified front fascia features a new open-air appearance, with silver recessed mesh on the lower portion. The profile view highlights the polished stainless steel surround trim that accent the custom Solutia tinted windows, chrome-trimmed side mirrors and chrome trimmed body side moldings. Other features include 18-inch BBS wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1 tires and stainless steel brake rotors and calipers on all four wheels. The custom rear fascia features an integrated bumper and Borla dual exhaust. PPG created the Merlot custom paint color.

The more luxurious interior of the PT Big Sky is done in light pearl beige with leather seating and door trim provided by Seton, Troy, Mich. Johnson Controls Inc. created the custom front seats, which feature a W.E.T. Inc. Comfort Cools(TM) system for heating and cooling. The interior also includes a Panasonic custom entertainment system with DVD video and true multi-channel surround sound. As part of the entertainment system, four video screens are integrated into the vehicle, including a seven-inch flip out LCD monitor on the instrument panel, two LCD monitors in the back of the front seats and a 15-inch removable LCD monitor in the cargo area mounted to the sliding cargo system, which was designed and manufactured by Webasto Roof Systems.

The only PT Cruiser with an all-wheel drive system, the PT Big Sky uses technology to offer better traction and complement the luxury features of this show car. While this one-of-a-kind PT Cruiser came from Chrysler Group, ASC Creative Services performed the custom work and integration based on a design created in conjunction with the Chrysler Group.