2016 Chrysler 300EX Opera Sedan

[Peter Lombardo]

Usually when I get an idea and design a concept, I follow it through to complete it pretty much as I originally conceived it. Sure there may be some minor “field†changes that occur because of problems scratch building the part as designed or seeing that the 3 dimensional design doesn’t work and a change was necessary.

This build, on the contrary, changed quite a bit and those changes came mostly at the end of the build. I think the changes, even though not all on the surface changed this build in a profound way.

The original concept for this Chrysler 300EX I designed was a vehicle built on the current 2010 (2005 based AMT kit) chassis incorporating the venerable Hemi engine and rear drive train. The design was more about the “look†and interior updates then the mechanical workings of the vehicle. But since this was to be a mythical future concept, the realities of today’s energy and political environment would most certainly have tremendous impact on any future vehicle designs. With the pump price of gasoline and diesel fuel steadily increasing, any vehicle manufacturer in today’s climate would definitely take these factors into consideration before a pencil, or computer design hit the paper.

So, in a moment of clarity, I took another look at this concept vehicle and realized that a number of profound mechanical changes were necessary, if this was really going to be a future design.

First, I thought that the overall design and scheme was plausible. The exterior, at least to me, was more futuristic looking.

More sleek, smooth and lower than the current 300, I think the car has a “faster†look…..like it is in motion even when standing still. It incorporates a “cab forward†design which always provides more interior space…..more “people†space and less “mechanical†space. The elongated nose, in keeping the large rounded square grille opening, I think gives the vehicle a look of speed, rapid movement and style. The giant windshield is laid back for less wind resistance.

I feel that the swept back headlights with jewel lens are a more modern interpretation of the flat and upright headlights on the current 300.

The interior, and the ingress and egress, (in and out) have a number of throwback and modern items that I think are interesting. First the driver side only has one door, up front, that opens in a modern “Lambo†or “Scissor†style.

On the passenger side, the entire side of the vehicle opens with a wide “Gullwing†style door, hinged at the top……actually I stole the design from a Subaru concept minivan vehicle from a few years ago, so I can’t take full credit, seeing how “Gullwing†doors have been around for at least a half century now. The interior has another unique design feature that I like very much.

Back in the 1920’s, Buick, and maybe a few other brands, I am not sure, offered a sedan and coupe high-end line of cars called the “opera†series. These vehicles featured an “L†shaped couch for the back seat.

I know this because my brother-in-law had one of each of these cars. My wife and I used the Buick Opera Sedan for our wedding “Limo†when we got married 36 years ago. I always thought the design was pretty neat and though someday I could work it into a design…..so here it is.

I added my own little twist to it by having the front passenger seat swivel so that person could turn toward the back so there could be a sort of “roundtable†area where all the passengers can face each other during a conversation.

I intentionally gave the vehicle very large wheels and tires as they roll easier and I think they fill out the wheel and fender “extensions†better.

To finish off the design, I always planned on a two tone paint scheme with light metallic blue, in this case a Honda Lacquer color and the top is deep amethyst pearl which is a dark purpleish blue. The color break was separated with a thin gold vinyl pinstripe.

Now on to the major changes to the design……….I substituted a small 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine for the honkin’ big Hemi V8. Rather than couple the engine to the driveline of the vehicle, I have the small gasoline (although it could even be Diesel) engine connected to an electric generator, ala, Chevrolet Volt. The main propulsion of this vehicle is electric. There would be a rather large battery pac mounted behind the engine and under the dash area. This battery could power the vehicle for the first 50 or so miles, which are more than the average daily drive for most American’s; according to the stats I have seen. Once the batteries are diminished of power, the small engine kicks in and runs the generator which provides the electric motor which drives the front wheels with power and gives an additional 400 miles of range on one tank full. If more range is needed, you would gas up at a gas station, no different than you would today in driving your conventional gas powered internal combustion car or truck.

Now, if you were to drive, say 40 miles in a day, at night you would just plug the vehicle into your home outlet and recharge the batteries in 8 to 10 hours at 110 volts, or 4 hours at 220 volts. This vehicle actually has a lot in common with today’s diesel-electric train locomotives as it uses the same style of technology to power and move the vehicle. But I added one more little twist to the design.

At first I planned on having one or two large sunroofs on the vehicle….there is a rather large roof area and I thought an open top would be pretty cool…..but as the new propulsion was kicking around in my head, it occurred to me that a full bank of Solar Panels, on the roof would round out the “Green†aspect of this car.

The solar panels, obviously on sunny days, would provide additional power to the batteries to help charge them up.

I had my brother ( the graphic designer and sign maker) scale out a design for solar panels and he then printed them onto vinyl, which I covered with clear packing tape, cut to fit and mounted on a piece of acetate cut to fit the shallow well I created on the roof.

I think these “Green†energy features on the vehicle, along with, what I think is a more modern design, have created a vehicle that is technically advanced and incorporated many features, both old and new, in a unique way.

The only “kit†pieces used on this model are, the two front seats, engine and part of the suspension system from a Honda Civic. The steering wheel from a Corvette and the wheels are aftermarket Pegasus units. Everything else is scratch built.

Edited March 19, 2011 by Peter Lombardo

[stewart]

Very interesting concept. I sure hope hemis aren't defunct by 2016 . Amazing design though.

STewart

[RodneyBad]

You have a Gift and You use it wisely.

Amazing Styling

From Start to Finish.

Truly Amazing Work..

[Randy D]

Pete, You continue to blow me away with your skill and imagination! This one is simply stunning!!! Bravo I say!!!

Randy

[vaughn]

Very well thought out concept. The presentation is a winner also.

[dougp]

Simply Awwwwwesome

[John Teresi]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!.........you have talent sir..........very cool!!!!!!!

[bsoder]

Well pete that's almost more work of art than a "car" model very creative as usual!..

[customsrus]

another one out of the ballpark. Excellent work. Anyone can build a model out of the box, but it takes a true master to make one from scratch.

[jeffs396]

Another great concept Peter!

[crazyjim]

Peter, Peter, Peter. I don't know how you do it. You keep coming up with fantastic builds. Do you ever sleep or do these builds just come to you.

Another amazing work of art, Peter. Congratulations.

[Chris C]

Wow...... Great concept and I love the backstory, great work, mate!

[Foxer]

This one snuck on while I was away at MassCar and it blows everything there out of the water. The body alone is creative ... that's on the original body? ... I love it! The tale behind it sounds like Chrysler Marketing Department talking ..

[Tony T]

Another amazing work of art, Peter! Awesome!

[george 53]

ANOTHER beauty from your fertile imagination,Peter! I like it, although the grille looks more"Bugatti-ish" than Chrysler, but who knows, they just MAY change their grille design by 2016!!!! GREAT lookin ride!!! ;)