Plymouth Prowler: Where Retro Styling Meets State-of-the-Art Technology
24 October 1997
Plymouth Prowler: Where Retro Styling Meets State-of-the-Art Technology
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 24 -- From the very beginning, the
Plymouth Prowler was intended to play several roles for Chrysler Corporation
as it progressed from concept to reality. After all, such vehicles are
designed to speak volumes for the company or brand they represent. And in the
end, the image created by such a car is almost as important as the car itself.
Visually, the Prowler is an incredibly powerful design statement that
first and foremost pays homage to the rolling art of hot rods -- the ultimate
expression of the great American open roadster.
Unlike anything else on the automotive landscape today, Prowler is in a
class all its own despite renewed interest in the roadster segment of the
market. Yet it has all the technology, safety features and serviceability
expected of a modern-day automobile, and is fully warranted by Chrysler.
"The Plymouth Prowler is an unprecedented combination of an outrageous yet
practical design," says Martin R. Levine, General Manager of Chrysler-
Plymouth-Jeep(R)-Eagle Division. "It represents unexpected innovation from
any major American automaker, and proves once again that Chrysler as a company
is willing to break convention."
Prowler also serves as the "calling card" for the Plymouth brand's
revitalization in the U.S., which began in 1996 under a multi-tiered effort
that included new products and a whole new way of shopping for a vehicle.
From a historical perspective, Prowler is the first U.S.-built Plymouth
exclusive since the 1996 Barracuda.
"Prowler delivers the 'shock value' for the Plymouth brand while raising
nameplate awareness for the full product range," notes Levine. "The interest
and enthusiasm generated by this car has already gone a long way toward
establishing a youthful, proactive character for the Plymouth brand."
To date, there have been more than 100,000 inquiries about the Plymouth
Prowler via telephone calls, letters, reply cards and Internet activity on the
Plymouth web site.
"We learned very early on that Prowler has universal appeal without any
regard to gender, age, education or income," says Levine. "Street rod
enthusiasts who don't have the time or money to invest in a 'one-off' roadster
are clamoring for one, as are baby boomers and older professionals who are
tired of look-alike cars and are ready to own and drive a unique automobile."
The significance of the Plymouth Prowler goes far beyond the car's
distinctive profile -- it represents the latest technology dressed with
passionate design. Major innovations, such as the intensive use of aluminum
and new assembly techniques, allowed Chrysler engineers to explore a wealth of
new materials and processes for possible use in higher-volume production
vehicles. Prowler further expended Chrysler's teamwork approach to the
supplier-manufacturer relationship with joint efforts to learn more about low-
volume manufacturing methods.
"There are several reasons why you take on a project like Prowler,"
according to Craig R. Love, Executive Engineer for Team Prowler. "One is to
create a test bed for new technologies."
One of the most important technologies was the evaluation of how to form,
join and handle aluminum. About one third of the Prowler's curb weight is
made up of aluminum components, including the frame, body sheet metal and
suspension components, some of which were formed using semi-solid forging
techniques. The seat frames are aluminum as well, marking the first time such
an extensive application has been used in the automotive industry.
Another industry first is the use of die-cast magnesium for the instrument
panel structure, resulting in greater strength and significant weight savings.
SOURCE Chrysler Corporation