Imperial on track for 2010 model year
Two mentions of the Imperial in one week. Not bad considering it was introduced as a concept two months ago. With the buzz growing, the Imperial may see production after all. Even more suprising is the Imperial could share platforms with the next-generation R-Class. What do you guys think? The Imperial may become a reality.
IL Insider: Chrysler Imperial On Track for 2010 Intro - edmunds.com
February 28th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
there must be acid in the water supply in auburn hills…
February 28th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Why wait? GM is down, knock them out! Serve up The Lincoln Town Car and buy one of these… in 2010 This Baby Bentley is just what Deiter ordered, why the delay?
March 1st, 2006 at 5:15 pm
(1) Please pardon my ignorance, but what the heck is the R Class? Tell me, isn’t that the Mercedes SUV or touring or whatever M-B calls its car in the Magnum/Pacifica class? If it is, doesn’t that do violence to all the oath-taking by Dieter and his predicessor ever since the ‘98 “merger of equals” that there would be no platform-sharing, only components that aren’t visible to the consumer? (2) I’m glad they are planning on a 2010 introduction because that may very well eliminate all vestiges of the ugly monstrosity shown at the Detroit auto show. In the remaining four years, they can do some market research, get some reaction to the Imperial concept, and produce a better flag ship than we saw in January in Detroit.
March 2nd, 2006 at 6:01 am
http://www.automobilemag.com/2006_new_cars/0503_mercedes_benz_r_class/
Here is some R Class info. Also can be found at mbusa.com
March 2nd, 2006 at 8:49 am
Thanks a lot for the link to the R Class. It is much appreciated.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE IS EVEN A RUMOR floating around about platform-sharing after all of the words spoken by DCX top brass over the years that no such thing would ever happen, and that the Mercedes-Benz reputation would never be sullied by engaging in such low rent tactics. Heaven forbid!
March 2nd, 2006 at 10:43 am
Maybe they are thinking the Imperial can be introduced with a level of prestige that would not dilute the MB brands. Even if they introduce the Imperial in the mid 40s, how can it compare to a MB that costs twice as much. Dieter Zetsche mentioned he wants to see component sharing with things that you cannot touch or see, i.e. platforms. Even the next generation Cherokee and MB SUV may share platform. Consider this phase 2 of the merger integration. Duplicate effort on both sides of the pond only hurts DCX. Put the politics and egos aside, and be efficient as one global company.
March 2nd, 2006 at 2:15 pm
I think that the roles have reversed quite a bit since the merger. Now it is Mercedes that is struggling, and Chrysler is the one pulling the train. The 300C has bought a significant touch of class to the brand, while Mercedes is not the dominant luxury maker it once was.
Makes sense for Mercedes to “stoop” to sharing platforms now, because the “stoop” is nearly as stoopy
March 2nd, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I meant “isn’t as stoopy” not “is as”.
March 2nd, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Regardless of profitability within a corporation, Mercedes is still king within the walls of DCX. Mercedes is the backbone of the new Mopar products lines. They have the technology, research and engineering to enable Chrysler pull off what they have accomplished in the past 2-3 years. Mercedes has been starved because so much attention was put on fix Chrysler. All the top engineers, managers, and executives focused on Chrysler to bring it back on its feet after the merger occured. That crippled the Mercedes infrastructure which caused them to launch substandard products. Mercedes will be back and only strength Chrysler’s products.
March 2nd, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Your views and your insight command respect, and I hope that you are right.
But can we all agree that the flagship of the Chrysler brand should be an agile drivers’ car that doesn’t look anything like that bulbous Imperial concept shown at the Detroit auto show. Chrysler Group can’t attract the status seekers who really do not like cars. That crowd will always buy Town Cars. Can’t we build a vehicle that compares favorably with the Infiniti M 45 and, BMW 5 but sells for $7,500 less?. Bob Lutz has finally taken GM in that direction with the Cadillac STS.
March 2nd, 2006 at 8:34 pm
The M45 and BMW5 is not the core direction of the market targeted by Chrysler Group. It is no suprise to anyone that Chrysler is targeting the buying power of the African American and Hispanic market which is growing every year. It is one of the few areas that has not be directly marketed to by the automakers. The Imperial is more relevant to their targeted markets than a M5/M45 fighter would be. Chrysler is trying to find a balance between status and flash. The 300 a success in finding a balance of both. The Imperial may be too overtop in terms of flash, but even the 300 concept was refined before it came to market. They may need to bring Tom Gale out of retirement to put the finishing touches on the Imperial.
March 3rd, 2006 at 12:44 pm
so does this mean that the current r-class is the donor platform for the upcoming ly series as the old e-class was for the current lx?
February 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Please build it….
July 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Its a bute, and it does the Imperial brand justice!!! Positioning Chrysler against the high-end Caddy and Lexus brands with this Imperial is the right thing to do. Not only will this car sell, this move will lift up the entire product line. Way to go Chrysler!
July 16th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Please please please build it I have waited for so long. I even stop visiting this website after they said they would not. NOW I’m back and all in… YES
December 11th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Okay someone is pretending to be me in the above comments. But they are right I have waited for a long time for this DARN car please please please build it. I bought the 300c and I love it. if the Imoerial comes out that is for sure my next car it has my name on it. This is from the real SHANNON. The fake shannon must go…:-)
May 21st, 2009 at 5:35 pm
keep the suiside doors it will be a must…………