New car news

09 January 2007 - 11:00

Detroit show: Chrysler Nassau

Americans don't seem to quite get the point in concept cars.

Concepts are supposed to be crazy: doors opening backwards, steering wheels in glove compartments, Pyrex tyres.

But the Nassau concept - Chrysler's vision of what a luxury D-segment car might look like in a couple of years time - is a bit disappointing. It looks, well, like a production car.

Similarly sized to Chrysler's deathly dull Sebring, there's not much to get excited about the Nassau's visuals.

But it's not all bad news. Under the bonnet lurks a 6.1-litre Hemi that will put out 425bhp through the rear wheels - enough to dispatch 60mph in five seconds.

If that all sounds a bit too engaging, fear not - the Nassau gets the obligatory auto gearbox.

Expect to see something resembling the Nassau in production by 2009.