Alongside the new Dodge Dart, that impressed everyone at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, the Chrysler group brought another interesting vehicle at the car event, a radical concept that brings a new approach to the whole idea of an MPV. If the current Chrysler Voyager is using a design based on sharp lines and straight angles, the Chrysler 700C concept seems to be inspired from the secret projects about future moon vehicles.
The front part’s main highlight is represented by the horizontal headlamps, reminding us of the headlights from the Chrysler 200, from which the designers were probably inspired, while the bold front hood finished in black is making a powerful contrast with the rest of the body, which is finished in silver. Also, the extremely small grille is creating a massiveness impression, when compared to the rest of the body. The same impression is emphasized by the large chrome ornaments integrated into the lower part of the front bumper, around and near the fog lights.
But while the front part could probably enter production tomorrow, with several minor adjustments, I can’t say the same about the side of the concept, which features a futuristic arrangement and is actually quite extravagant. Even though the solution chosen by Chrysler is the same one used on production models (front door with traditional opening and sliding door for the rear passengers), the styling of the large window surface and the shape of the B pillar are cold reminders that what we’re looking at is just a concept car that probably has long way ahead before entering production. But nonetheless, the overall exterior appearance is impressive, emphasized by the large chromed wheels.
As for the rear part, it continues the same futuristic styling. Large horizontal tail lamps that stretch almost all the way to the C pillars and the round rear window help the 700C keep a mystery around it, but looking at the rear part I have a strong “SUV” impression.
Unfortunately, besides the car making a physical appearance at the 2012 edition of the Detroit Motor Show, Chrysler has been pretty cheap with details, not saying too much about the 700C concept. There are no details about what’s under the bonnet or about the final destination of the design we were able to admire on the 700C. According to Chrysler exec Saad Chehab, this was just a design study and the company was curious to find out the people’s opinion about it.