Chrysler Kills Plan To Resurrect Imperial

The Chrysler Group has elected not to build a production version of its controversial 2006 Imperial concept, because of escalating gas prices and the threat of higher CAFE standards.

"We felt it would have been irresponsible to bring a vehicle like that to the market at this time," Chrysler spokesman Dave Elshoff was quoted as saying. Elshoff said a production version of the Imperial concept "would have been substantially bigger than our largest sedan, the Chrysler 300C."

Chrysler had planned to begin building the Imperial in early 2009, using components from the rear-wheel-drive 300C and its siblings, the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Magnum.

When the Imperial concept made its debut at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, it drew decidedly mixed reviews. Some saw elements of Rolls-Royce in the design, while for others it conjured images of American Motors.