Chrysler Unveils 'Segment Buster'

DETROIT AP report on the Pacifica introduction in Detroit

In this year where automakers are producing vehicles that refuse to park in an existing pigeonhole, the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG [NYSE:DAJ - news] is adding to the identity malaise with the Chrysler Pacifica.

``It's the next great segment buster,'' Chrysler Group president and CEO Dieter Zetsche said Sunday during a media preview at the North American International Auto Show.

Zetsche said the production version of the Pacifica to go on sale next year as a 2004 model would be ``almost identical'' to the concept model revealed Sunday. The question is, what exactly is the Pacifica?

It sure looks like a stationwagon, but has three rows of seats like a minivan or large sport utility vehicle, handles like a car, is equipped with all-wheel drive and a power liftgate.

Chrysler has decided to call the Pacifica a ``sports tourer,'' a type of luxury car with ruggedness and utility.

The Pacifica, which evolved from the Citadel, a prior concept vehicle, features a low step-in height, three rows of leather seating, a full-length sunroof and a DVD player for second row passengers.

Under the hood is a 3.5 liter single overhead cam 24-valve V6 engine. Also included is on-demand all wheel drive or front wheel drive with traction control and four-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing for the production version has not yet been set.

With the Pacifica, the Chrysler Group is hoping to duplicate the success of its fast-selling other segment buster, the PT Cruiser.

``We're hoping to redefine the premium segment the way the PT Cruiser reinented the small segment,'' said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler Group, chief operating officer.

Indeed, rather than step up into the Pacifica as you would a sport utility vehicle, or down, as you would a car, entry and exit is straight across, Zetsche says.

While pricing has not yet been set, but Chrysler Group executives pin the Pacifica as fitting into the ``$25,000 plus market.''