# Chrysler Phaeton > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chrysler_Phaeton > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chrysler_Phaeton.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Phaeton > Source revision: 1353546698 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) For the [Volkswagen](/source/Volkswagen) automobile, see [Volkswagen Phaeton](/source/Volkswagen_Phaeton). For the [limousine](/source/Limousine), see [Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton](/source/Chrysler_Imperial_Parade_Phaeton). This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Chrysler Phaeton" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Motor vehicle Chrysler Phaeton Overview Manufacturer Chrysler Production 1997 Designer Tom Gale Body and chassis Class Concept car Body style 4-door cabriolet sedan dual-cowl phaeton Layout FR layout Powertrain Engine 5.4L (5400 cc, 330 ci) Dodge/Chrysler V12 Transmission 4-speed 31TH automatic Dimensions Wheelbase 3353 mm (132 in) Length 5461 mm (213 in) Width 1981 mm (77 in) Height 1397 mm (55 in) The **Chrysler Phaeton** was a four-door convertible sedan [concept car](/source/Concept_car) built by [Chrysler](/source/Chrysler_(division)) in 1997. ## Background The Phaeton was inspired by Chrysler's historic [Newport Phaeton](/source/Chrysler_Newport#1940s), and the [Imperial Parade Phaeton](/source/Chrysler_Imperial_Parade_Phaeton). John E. Herlitz, Chrysler Corporation's Vice President of Product Design, said, "Phaeton embraces and contemporizes elegant, classic design cues from historic touring automobiles of the 1930s, 40s and 50s." The dual cowl four-door hard-top convertible design was inspired by Chrysler's dual cowl 1940 Newport parade car, a vehicle used primarily for transporting dignitaries and members of elite families during that time period.[1][2] "With Phaeton, we expanded the use of today's convertible by giving it four doors and two windshields," said K. Neil Walling, Chrysler Corporation's Design Director. "We took an elegant design execution that was originally intended for the wealthy and created a practical, contemporary convertible." The Phaeton features a retractable rear compartment windshield. "Chrysler Phaeton effectively captures classic images from the [Chrysler LHX](/source/Chrysler_LHX) and [Chrysler Atlantic](/source/Chrysler_Atlantic) and translates them into a convertible format," said Walling. The interior features cream and brown-colored leather trim, woven cream leather inserts, satin metal details, and Zebrano wood accents. Both front and rear passenger compartments are separate and have their own radio, climate controls, arm rests and center consoles. Speedometer and tachometer gauges are also featured in both compartments which allow rear passengers to monitor vehicle performance at a glance. Another unique feature of the interior is the gauges in the rear seats. The power retractable convertible hardtop was developed and built by [ASC](/source/American_Specialty_Cars), who made convertible tops for Chrysler (until the 2007 Sebring). ## Specifications The Phaeton is powered by a 48-valve 5.4 liter aluminum V12 engine, made from two [2.7L Chrysler LH](/source/Chrysler_LH_engine#2.7_L) V6 engines, and producing 425 hp (317 kW). Ride and handling are handled by a [double wishbone suspension](/source/Double_wishbone_suspension) up front, and an independent double "A" arm suspension in the rear, similar to that of the [Dodge Viper](/source/Dodge_Viper).[3] The body-on-frame, rear wheel drive car used a four-speed automatic with a [Dana 40](/source/Dana_44) axle. It rides on 22x8 inch cast aluminum wheels with four wheel disc brakes.[4] "We wanted Phaeton's performance characteristics to be comparable to that of its inspirational father, the Newport," said Walling. "After all, the Newport was the pace car of the Indianapolis 500 in 1941." Measurements are in inches/millimeters, unless otherwise specified. front track: 63.0/1600 rear track: 61.5/1562 tires: Goodyear front P245/55R22 rear P245/55R22 ## Production Plans for the Phaeton never materialized, and neither it, nor any clear successors, have entered production. ## In popular media The car was also included as a selection in the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation) video game *[Gran Turismo 2](/source/Gran_Turismo_2)* as a special vehicle that could only be won. ## Gallery - Side - Interior ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Neil Walling - Chrysler Phaeton"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-neil-walling-c/44698373/). *The Cincinnati Enquirer*. 1998-02-13. p. 61. Retrieved 2025-07-27. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Baruffaldi, Silvia (1997-02-20). ["Detroit 1997 - L'arte automobilistica"](https://autodesignmagazine.com/1997/02/detroit-1997-larte-automobilistica/). *Auto&Design* (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-07-27. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Dodge Copperhead - Trends"](https://www.motortrend.com/news/dodge-copperhead-concept). *MotorTrend*. 1997-03-02. Retrieved 2025-07-27. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The outrageous Chrysler Phaeton 1997 concept car"](http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/1997-phaeton.html). v t e Chrysler vehicles Current models Vans Pacifica Grand Caravan2 Discontinued (by date of introduction) 1920s Imperial Parade Phaeton Six 1930s Airflow LeBaron New Yorker Royal Saratoga Windsor 1940s Newport Town and Country (wagon) 1950s 300 (letter series) Imperial (brand) Royal/Plainsman/Wayfarer 1960s 300 (non-letter series) Turbine Car Valiant VIP 1970s 150/Alpine1 160/180/2-Litre Avenger1 Centura Chrysler by Chrysler Cordoba Drifter Horizon Hunter/Vogue1 Lancer1 Valiant/Regal Scorpion1 Sigma Sunbeam 1980s Conquest1 Dynasty2 E-Class Executive Fifth Avenue Grand Voyager Laser2 Shadow2 TC by Maserati 1990s 300M Cirrus Concorde Imperial Intrepid2 LHS Neon Sebring Spirit2 Stratus2 TEVan Town & Country (minivan) Viper GTS-R Vision1 2000s Aspen2 Crossfire Delta1 300 Pacifica Prowler PT Cruiser 2010s 200 2020s Voyager Concept 200C Airflite Airflow EV Akino Atlantic C-200 California Cruiser CCV Chronos Citadel 700C Delta1 ecoVoyager Falcon Firepower Halcyon Imperial Concept Java ME Four-Twelve Nassau Natrium Norseman Pacifica Concept Patriot Phaeton Pronto Cruizer Category Commons List Notes: * 1Rebadged models from European manufacturers * 2Originally a Dodge in the U.S., sold as "Chrysler" in other countries --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chrysler Phaeton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Phaeton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Phaeton?action=history)). 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