Chrysler is toying around with the idea of building a vehicle that may go where no Chrysler moniker has gone before it: on the raceway. Sure, there were 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 can all change if the Firepower is built. Read on and let’s have a look at what this hot looking auto is all about.

The U.S. Car shows throughout 2005 featured a number of great looking concepts. One of the automobiles, a Chrysler Firepower, drew strong interest from visitors. Based on this purchaser interest, the Firepower may go from concept to developing project if many DaimlerChrysler officials have their way.

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

Depending on which schematics Chrysler decides to go with, the body itself may only be a touch different to the Snake . However, the concept car obviously shows the Firepower has its own skin, so it has still 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 complicated navigation and sound system, and real wood trim. Hey, for $80,000 you better get the genuine stuff!

We won’t know until this Spring whether the Firepower will see the light of day. DCX may decide the Firepower could thieve more sales from the Snake than the Vette, resulting in the project being cancelled. Still, if the right design is chosen the Firepower would hold it’s own in a tough market and enhance the Viper not compete against it.

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