I was surfin around and found this tid bit. I think some here may find it interesting. I found it at:

http://www.allpar.com/ed/rumors.html


Reflections: the Neon SRT and the next Neon

Posted by Dave (206.40.160.4) on 1/10/02 at 14:24:07:

Firat, let me make a couple of statements to cover myself...

1. I worked with Mitsubishi engineering while I was in Japan on several vehicles I am not allowed to discuss specifics of.


2. I did not work directly on the Stealth design, I worked at JTE with people that DID work on it, and attended several developmental meetings on the
vehicle. I cannot discuss confidential contents of those meetings.


That being said....I agree completely on the SRT being the "last hurrah" of the Neon, as designed and developed by Chrysler. The new vehicle platform, coming from the joint development between Chrysler and Mitsubishi,
will be a totally different series of cars. It is my opinion that, although they will share components, the 2 vehicles will be of totally different feel from one another. I would even guess that the Dodge version will have a 2 door coupe
as the performance model (remember, this is MY OPINION only) while the EVO will continue to be a 4 dr sedan version.

The 2 companies are fighting together for their own lives now, unlike during the development of the triplets (Eclipse, Laser, and Talon) and the Stealth/3000GT. In my opinion, these 2 companies have to work out the cultural differences, or they are BOTH going to completely fail to survive.

It is also my opinion, that the differences between the 2 companies are more clearly defined (by who does what) in a formal methodology, unlike the past.


Frankly, I expect that the new Lancer/Neon car platform to truly BE best in class. These guys ain't stupid-they all realize this is a last chance for both
companies and if the vehicle fails...they will go down together. To prevent (or at least minimize) the sales stealing, Mitsu will have to deal with Dodge selling a version of the EVO, whether they like it or not. DCX has made decisions that are, I am sure- but this is strictly opinion- that are
routinely villified on both sides of the Pacific.


The SRT-4, I look at, as a last upturned middle finger at the "foreign masters" showing that Chrysler people (those that are left) STILL can do the most with the least. Sort of like the old t-shirt with the mouse facing down the eagle swooping down on him, with the caption "Last Great Act Of Defiance".

Incidentally, the GLH and GLHS was popular during that t-shirt's craze also....hmmmm.


If I remember correctly, the GLH was going to be the last hurrah for the L-body when it came out and ended up keeping enough interest in the cars (and sales, obviously) to allow production to continue for 3 or so more years. I guess my point is that I do not care if the "auto world" likes them or
not-they were a blast to drive and sales were kept up by the cars drawing in people to the dealerships. True, the GLH was crude by today's standards, but "so what?" Jump on that throttle and she would get all swivel-hipped and take off in whatever direction the bushings happened to compress in and plaster your head back against them damn hard headrests and pull your arms out of the sockets trying to hold onto the steering wheel. Yeah, I liked them a bit!



Best as always,

Bob

 

I like these pictures...

http://auto.ascii24.com/auto24/e/200...126_01_04.html

http://auto.ascii24.com/auto24/e/200...126_01_05.html

Matt

 

Sure.. but it will require it to get a new name....
Calling a sports car neon will pretty much guarantee that it will NOT
sell.