Chrysler is toying around with the idea of building a vehicle which will go where no Chrysler moniker has gone before it: on the raceway. Sure, there have been stock Newports and Cordobas that have been raced, but nothing that was “pure race material” has ever worn a Chrysler label. Dodge yes, but Chrysler no. That will all change if the Firepower is built. Read on and let’s see what this hot looking auto is all about.

The U.S. auto shows throughout 2005 featured a number of great looking ideas. One of the automobiles, a Chrysler Firepower, drew strong interest from visitors. Based on this consumer interest, the Firepower may go from idea to developing project if several DaimlerChrysler officers have their way.

Borrowing heavily from the Dodge Viper sport car, the Firepower concept has the Corvette in its crosshairs. In fact, the Firepower is probably going to be a more luxurious version of the Viper, borrowing its engine, transmission, and entire platform. As you know, the Viper also competes with the Corvette.

Depending on which schematics Chrysler makes a decision to go with, the body itself may only be a touch different to the Viper. However, the concept car clearly shows the Firepower has its own skin, so it remains to be seen what the final mock up of the production version will look like.

Like the Snake , V10 power with 500+ h.p. will likely be standard with the Firepower. Beyond that, look for leather everything, a sophisticated navigation and sound system, and real wood trim. Hey, for $80,000 you better get the genuine stuff!

We won’t know till this Spring whether the Firepower will see the light of day. DCX may decide that the Firepower could steal more sales from the Rattlesnake than the Vette, leading to the project being cancelled. Still, if the right design is chosen the Firepower would hold it’s own in a competitive market and complement the Snake not compete against it.

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