Lake Casitas, CA.- Dream cars or Concept cars, as they were
once known, are wondrous and magical creations. The reason
for their existence is many fold. Not only do they serve as
expressive outlets for the designers of things automotive,
they serve as showcases for innovative market research and
product development. Concept vehicles play an important role
in creating excitement in the public arena. They are often
suggestive of future trends, and as a result are usually regarded
as top trade secrets and kept under wraps until such time
as they are unveiled at a major international show or some
other significant automotive venue, amidst a seemingly unashamed
degree of theatrical hype and hoopla.
In a great many instances, concept vehicles are for exhibition
purposes only and may lack varying levels of functional equipment.
Some are indeed mere designer shells, with no running gear
or powertrain components at all. For the most part, that's
not the way the game is played in the Chrysler camp. More
often than not, the concept vehicles built by Chrysler (now
DaimlerChrysler) are real world examples of automobilia -
they actually run and are drivable. Most manufacturers are
very guarded about allowing "hands on" examination by anyone
outside company ranks, let alone permitting physical operation
by non-employee types such as automotive journalists.
The Mopar camp has been the most prolific entity in the building
of viable, production-worthy concept cars -- the design staff
and management team have demonstrated what is without a doubt,
the most progressive attitude and philosophy in promoting
behind-the-wheel, seat-time experiences. This represents an
unusually bold practice, in that concept cars, whether fully
operable or not, are high dollar, often unlimited budget exercises
totaling expenditures in the multiple six-figure range. Two
million dollars or more is not an uncommon amount for a concept
vehicle from the idea stage to a custom "one-off" show car
or truck.
In fact, Chrysler recently staged venues in select regions
of the country for the purpose of affording area automotive
writers the opportunity to gain first hand experiences in
operating significant vehicles from their concept stable over
a tightly controlled, but demonstrative short road course
at the Lake Casitas Park near Ojai, CA
What is it like to crawl behind the wheel of such an exotic
and expensive piece of futuristic equipment and to actually
drive it around? It is an unparalleled privilege that approaches
a level of ecstasy seldom experienced by mere mortals. We
focused primarily on Dodge's MAXXcab (already on this site)
and the Howler which is based on the Prowler by Plymouth until
the marque officially disappears at the end of this model
year.
Specifications
Base
Price:
$ N/A Price as Tested:
$ N/A - estimated in mid six figure range
Engine
Type and Size:
Jeep® 4.7 liter PowerTech V-8 with electronic fuel injection. Horsepower (bhp):
250 @ 4,800 rpm Torque (ft./ lbs.):
300 @ 3,200 rpm Transmission:
Borg Warner T5 engine-mounted 5-speed manual. Drive Train:
Longitudinally-mounted front engine / Rear-wheel drive.
Suspension:
Front - Anodized cast aluminum unequal-length upper
and lower "A" arms, pushrod-rocker arm-operated coil
springs over low-pressure gas-charged rebound- adjustable
shock absorbers,and stabilizer bar.
Rear
- Multiple lateral upper links, lower "A" arm, coil
springs over low-pressure gas-charged rebound- adjustable
shocks and stabilizer bar. Brakes:
Power-assisted four-wheel discs with single piston sliding
calipers, aluminum hubs rear. Tires:
Goodyear Eagle GS-D Extended Mobility (EMT) radials
with run-flat capability (50 miles @ 55 mph), low pressure
sensing system. P225/45HR17-front / P295/40HR20- rear
mounted on five-spoke "American Racing-style chromed,
cast aluminum wheels.
Fuel
Capacity:
Prowler tank is 12 gallons -- Howler tank has been repositioned
and assumably enlarged, but specs not given. EPA Mileage Estimates:
Howler concept not tested for certification. Drag Coefficient:
Not listed 0 - 60 mph:
Not tested but estimated @ less than 6 seconds.
The Howler was unveiled at last year's Specialty Equipment Market Association's
(SEMA) annual trade show in Las Vegas, NV. It is a performance roadster
pickup model of the Prowler that addresses all of the issues that were
considered to be negative about the two seat roadster. Howler is the result
of two internal DaimlerChrysler projects -- one project by DaimlerChrysler's
Advanced Packaging studio designer, Christopher Schuttera, dealt with
adding a classic utilitarian hot rod form to the already popular Prowler
design. At the same time, Jon Rundels, a Concept and Specialty Vehicle
executive, was searching for a a way to bring together, Jeep's® all-new
PowerTech V8 engine and Borg-Warner's T5 manual transmission in the Prowler
platform.
Perhaps arguably, Prowler's shortcomings included: the lack of a V8 engine;
the absence of a pure manual transmission; the homely front bumperettes;
and the limited (almost nonexistent) storage space in the trunk, particularly
with the top stowed. The Howler nose is clean and void of those obtrusive
front bumper fixtures and it steps up to the plate with Jeep's® healthy
4.7 liter PowerTech V-8 mated to a five-speed manual tranny with a 10.5-inch
clutch, which is now bolted to the engine up front, rather than separated
by a torque tube, located aft. The rear differential is a Dana 44 unit connected
to a custom fabricated driveshaft and half-shafts. The cargo or luggage
capacity problem has been solved by the smooth, stylized addition of a short
pickup bed -- this would effectively eliminate the need for Prowler's $4,000
trailer.
Visually, the Howler resembles the Prowler sans front bumpers, with a
lockable hard tonneau-covered bed replacing the sloping rear deck. Howler
features not only a soft convertible top with a simple hand operated mechanism
that poses no problem in either raising or lowering, but a removable hardtop
as well.
The majority of vintage roadsters and roadster pickups don't have fixed
windshields or quad projector-beam headlamps. Most don't sport aluminum
frames or suspension componentry either, like for instance, aluminum metal
matrix composite rear brake rotors. On the other hand, the tilt-steering
and "killer" audio systems with CD players are not uncommon items. Heating
and air conditioning are highly effective even with the top down should
you feel the need to offset the exterior climate.
The Howler tips the scale at 2,829 pounds with aluminum accounting for
in the neighborhood of 900 of those pounds. In addition to the frame and
suspension, the hood side panels, doors and deck lid are stamped from
aluminum alloy.
As with the Prowler, the Howler which is finished in black inside and
out, is an exercise in exaggeration - everything about the Howler's design
seems to stimulate a sense of technological excess but with a nostalgic
flavor. Cycle fenders grace the 17 inch front wheels and tires, and unless
really tall in the saddle, you won't be able to appreciate them from the
cockpit. The humongous 20 inch rear wheels and tires are neatly shrouded
by bobbed-style fenders. The chromed 5-spoke cast alloy wheels are reminiscent
of American Racing-style mags. Howler's lines flow equally well with the
top up or down, though down is obviously the position of choice from my
perspective.
The Howler's road worthiness is phenomenal. It will corner with the best.
The throttle is instantly responsive and Howler launches impressively.
The manual transmission allows for personal control in selecting the preferred
gear for optimum performance. Ride quality is on the firm side but considerably
better than most traditional street rods.
The sound system is terrific for blasting out your favorite tunes while
cruising local boulevards in style or booking down the open road at speed.
Howler sports a 320 watt and seven speaker setup with both audio and cruise
control switches on the tilt wheel. I personally enjoyed the sweet V8
exhaust rumble more than the sound system.
Bottom line, piloting the Howler concept revealed a wealth of things
to come (perhaps... remember, these are only conceptual expressions) in
exciting design executions. Howler is in essence, an experimental example
of a future transportation possibility in nostalgic form. Concept vehicles
represent an art form to be lovingly cherished and lastingly treasured
- particularly those emanating from the DaimlerChrysler works and even
more especially, the Howler -- it definitely gets my thumbs up to build.
