The Chrysler Nassau concept car was introduced at the Detroit auto show in January 2007, about four months before DaimlerChrysler was dissolved, spinning Chrysler off from Daimler-Benz. It is possible (though one can't always be sure of the intent of some concept cars) that the Nassau explored what Chrysler stylists were thinking during its development in 2006 regarding a replacement for the successful 2005 Chrysler 300.
A three-page Google search regarding the Nassau turned up mostly short, contemporary reactions following its introduction. A more lengthy reaction piece is
here.
The Nassau had a lot of the expected flashy features concept cars seem to be doomed to carry. These included a dual-panel moon roof, four-door hardtop convertible body structure, and seating for only four people on a platform that would have held five were it a production car.
For the purposes of this post, the focus will be on the car's external appearance. Some of the images below, all originating from DaimlerChrysler, seem to be heavily retouched views of a styling model. That does not matter much because there also are photos of the actual roadworthy car.
Gallery
The design from the B-pillar forward represents a plausible Chrysler 300 successor. In the context of today's over-sculpted Japanese designs, the Nassau's composition is tasteful and would still be appropriate today. However, most cars now have low front air intakes and the Nassau's grille is in a traditional position.
The rising character line along the side echoes that on the Chrysler 300. That and the 300-ish grille suggest that the Nassau indeed was intended to test features on a next-generation 300 (that hasn't yet appeared and might never be realized). Abaft of the B-pillar the car looks bulky and stubby as seen from this angle.
The aft roof design strikes me as being more show-car jazz than production-prototype. That highly curved (in plan view) backlight would reduce a trunk lid to impractically small size. On the other hand, the final image below hints that the back window might be part of a hatchback arrangement.
This side view indicates that the side window profile abaft of the B-pillar is too sharply curved for good rear-seat passenger viewing. The aft part of the roofline reveals a curve inflection that's part aerodynamic spoiler and part potential hatchback. Regardless, it makes the rear part of the car seem bulky and out of character from the rest of the design, A little more rear overhang might have improved matters a bit.
Overhead view of the unconventional roof design. I think a production version of the Nassau would have had a normal roof, more rear overhang, and a wider trunk lid (not a hatchback). Of course, for rollover safety reasons, the B-pillar would have reach the roof.
The front end is a lot like the Sebring emergency facelift 200. And it IS a hatchback -there's a photo of it open in the linked Allpar article. If it was taller it could be a modern luxury crossover SUV.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it would be very difficult to get into the back seat. It should have suicide back doors. This is the reason (besides being cool) why the 1961 Lincoln had them. Look at a photo of one and you will see. In that case they wanted a short rear side window for a coupe-like look like a Mark II. When you sit in the back seat of a '61 and turn to the side you are looking at the C pillar, not out the window.
Too bad you can't post photos in the comments here!
emjayay -- Yes, now I see that it indeed is a hatchback. Sorry for the delayed reply, but I was in the Far East for a couple of weeks and largely out of touch.
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