Plymouth Pronto Spyder

Plymouth Pronto Spyder
Plymouth Pronto Spyder at the now closed Walter P. Chrysler Museum
Overview
Type	Concept car
Manufacturer	Plymouth
Production	1998
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	RMR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L turbocharged I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Curb weight	2,700 lb (1,225 kg)

The Plymouth Pronto Spyder was a 2-door roadster that debuted as a concept

in 1998. It never went into production, in part because of the discontinuation of the Plymouth brand, and largely because it was intended as a rolling test of styling and mechanical concepts.

Pronto Spyder rear end

The car was fitted with a mid-mounted, turbocharged, 2.4 L, 225 hp (168 kW), 4-cylinder engine, later used in the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and a five-speed manual transmission. It was designed to mimic the feel of more exotic European roadsters, but partly by using lightweight recycled materials (largely polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, covering a steel chassis) in its construction, cost much less; the vehicle weighed 2,700 lb (1,225 kg). The interior was also a styling test-bed for color (it was spray-painted red) and instrumentation arrangements.

Aside from the engine, the plastic tortoise-shell steering wheel rim was later used on the Chrysler 300C. To be produced, the concept would have needed to meet safety regulations, have better body stiffness (the A-pillar would need revision), suspension travel clearance for the wheelhouse, and rear-view mirrors, among other changes.

External links

• Allpar.com: Plymouth Pronto Spyder concept car