|  Chrysler unveiled the Nassau concept, which is built on the Chrysler 300 platform. The Chrysler Nassau Concept has a 120 inch wheelbase and the same 6.1 liter HEMI V8 engine with 425 horsepower that is found in the Chrysler 300 SRT-8 and the Dodge Magnum SRT-8. The car can be seen as Chrysler’s step towards developing a four-door luxury coupe. Currently the Chrysler 300 SRT-8 is based on the Mercedes Benz E-Class so we can assume that the Nassau Concept could be based on the Mercedes CLS (or would that be to far fetched?). With 21 inch 10 spoke wheels, LED exterior lighting and an SUV like interior the Chrysler Nassau Concept is sure to turn heads at the Detroit Auto Show.
The Chrysler Nassau concept is a four-door, four-passenger luxury coupe with an emphasis on driving dynamics. The artistic exterior design leans toward an exploration as to what could be a future sedan in the brand's lineup. The Chrysler Nassau concept highlights sweeping curves to define the front and rear fascia.
Though built on a full-size 120-inch wheelbase, the Nassau appears more visually compact than a comparable Chrysler 300C. In side view, the upper portion of the rear hatch is steeply raked, with the back light swept cleanly around to the C-pillars. The lower portion of the tapering back light glass is pulled emphatically rearward, a treatment repeated in the near vertical surface of the lower hatch. The flanking taillamps are graphically the reverse of the headlamps, with the lenses growing wider as they sweep around to the side, with the bright accent along the bottom of the lens.
Stepping into the Chrysler Nassau, one enters a new world of luxury specially designed to a younger, aspiring audience. The presiding interior theme is one of flowing seamless sculpture composed of leathers and fabrics derived from futuristic architectural interiors.
Power for the Chrysler Nassau concept comes from the same engine found in the Chrysler 300C SRT-8, a 6.1 litre HEMI V8 developing 425 horsepower, driving the 21" rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. This gives the Nassau concept a projected top speed of 165 mph and 5 seconds to reach 60 mph.
The Chrysler Nassau's lower fascia is accented by the long chrome brows of the tapering left and right fog lamps, a detail replicated in the "repeater lamps" of the slim, door-mounted side view mirrors. The plan view of the Nassau highlights the dramatic swept-back curves that define both the front and rear fascias.
Stepping into the Chrysler Nassau, one enters a new world of luxury specially designed to a younger, aspiring audience. The presiding interior theme is one of flowing seamless sculpture composed of leathers and fabrics derived from futuristic architectural interiors.
The instrument panel is a showcase for new technologies in data display, personal control interface, and home theater-inspired entertainment. Gear selection is accomplished via a pod control mounted on the instrument panel while the steering wheel incorporates auxiliary paddle shifters.
While the instrument cluster has its own taut brow, the shape of the forward portion of the instrument panel is sensuously sculpted. Housing the main cluster, the upper surface of the panel includes a wide asymmetrical elliptical opening.
Within the housing of the instrument panel (I/P) is a three-layer screen, which allows the simultaneous display of the navigation, passenger entertainment and vehicle function displays.
As they move toward the doors, the left and right side lower portions of the two-tone I/P rise upward, again subtly reprising the Chrysler wings. Sandwiched between the upper and lower surfaces of the instrument panel are partially-concealed horizontal vents that direct cool air into the cabin.
The four handsomely-formed bucket seats of the Nassau are covered in cream-colored leather, with the suede accents in a fine bamboo texture, a theme repeated on the door trim panels. Occupants can gaze upward through twin "Picture View" skylights, longitudinal blue-tinted glass panels that run the length of the roof panel. Those in the rear seats can enjoy a movie displayed on the flush video screens incorporated into the rear-facing portion of each of the front seat headrests.
Running fore-aft between the seats is a center console with a satin silver trim strip that travels from the I/P center stack to the upper rear seat backs. Set within the console are the front and rear "joy stick" controls designed to function much like the "mouse" control of a home or office computer. Power window switches and flush-mounted pop-up cup holders are also contained in the console.
Among the more interesting visual details within the Deep Mystic Blue and Cream interior are the refined-yet-simple chrome accents and textures used on the silver speaker grilles on the doors, seat back monitors, headliner and foot pedals.
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