Detroit Motor Show - Chrysler

What on earth is this?
This is the big Imperial, which takes its name from earlier Chrysler luxury models of the 1930s and 1960s.

It's based around a stretched version of the 300C wheelbase, so it would be a relatively simple engineering job to put it into production, even though there's no hint of a green light from the company just yet.

A long wheelbase of over three metres helps the Imperial to considerably outsize even stretched versions of other luxury contenders, such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Mercedes S-Class.

Inside, four passengers are treated to plenty of wood, leather, suede and satin-finished aluminium, and the rear doors open backwards for easier access to the rear seats.

Power comes from Chrysler's ubiquitous 5.7-litre V8 Hemi engine which can haul this big beast to 60mph in just 5.5 seconds.

What does Chrysler say?
'Suicide doors' isn't a popular description amongst car manufacturers for rearward opening doors. The name comes from the idea that you'd be squashed by passing traffic when getting in and out, but if traffic is passing that closely, the way a door opens is largely irrelevant.

Either way, Rolls Royce calls them coach doors on the Phantom, while Mazda has been heard to call them freestyle doors on the RX-8.

Chrysler hasn't given them a new name as such, but does say that they open like French windows. A nice image.

What else is the company up to?
Plenty – there are three Chrysler launches planned for 2006, and that's not including the arrival of models from the company's sister brand, Dodge, and a bevy of Jeeps and off-roaders.

Estate versions of the 'bling' 300C Touring arrive in May, hotly followed by more powerful 420bhp SRT-8 versions of the saloon in April. The engine brings the 300C to 60mph in under five seconds, and will also be squeezed into the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 in July.

Right-hand drive versions of the PT Cruiser also arrive in the UK for the first time, turning up in showrooms this March.