Chrysler Imperial Convertible.
Last Updated:
With Chrysler‘s future still in flux, why not imagine what a top-of-the-line Imperial Convertible could look like?
I posted a possible new 2025 Dodge Charger-based Chrysler Cordoba a while ago, but this would be a true top-of-the-line Chrysler. Something that’s really “not for everyone”. The market for a 2 door luxury coupe is pretty small these days. And the one for a convertible version is even smaller.
A big super luxurious 2-door convertible. Of course based on Stelantis’ new STLA large platform, just like the new 2025 Dodge Charger. Another large new coupe that is already about the size of a Mercedes Class S.
A new Imperial would not compete with Bentley or Rolls Royce, unlike the Cadillac Celestiq. No. This would not be cheap but would still be a Chrysler. It would have to be priced under Cadillac and the foreign luxury brands. Chrysler hasn’t had anything new in many years, and people need to be reacquainted with the brand. And what better way to come up with something that will get noticed everywhere it drives? Like the VW ID.Buzz and even the Cybertruck.
The Imperial used to be the top-of-the-line Chrysler from 1926 to 1993. It was even its own brand from 1955 to 1975.
The last Imperial 2-door coupe was the 1981/83 model. It was conceived by “marketing genius and cheezy cars lover” Lee Iacocca. That “new” Imperial coupe adopted that “bustle back” design trend started by the 2nd generation Cadillac Seville, and followed by the Lincoln Continental. The name “Imperial” came back from 1990 to 1993 for a sedan, competing with the FWD Lincoln Continental and Cadillac Sedan DeVille of that era.
A new Imperial convertible based on the STLA platform could be something a bit retro-futuristic vaguely inspired by the 1981 model.
Of course, we all know these big 2-door luxurious convertibles are gone, and so are people who used to buy them. Even Mercedes gave up on the S-Class convertible a few years ago…
However, there’s nothing wrong with a halo car.
Simplest way to save Chrysler is expand with the Pacifica platform. Add a 3-row CUV, a sleek 2-row CUV “coupe”, a large unibody crewcab pickup (not Ram!).