The Chrysler brand is marking its return to China with the presentation of a concept version of the 300C sedan called Ruyi at the at 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
In Chinese, ruyi means “as one wishes” and the purpose of the concept model is exactly that; to demonstrate the brand’s ability to adapt the design of the 300C to match the tastes of Chinese consumers.
Chrysler says that the 300C Ruyi blends “modern American design and technology with tradition-rich Chinese symbols”.
The car is based on the 300C with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
On the outside, designer Bill Zheng finished the mid-size sedan in a Maximum Steel shade and added dark chrome to the exterior door handles, grille surround and lower grille tracer.
Other highlights include the 22-inch concept alloy wheels, a bespoke grille with dark chrome throats, bluish steel-grey tinted windows, a ruyi Chinese character badge on the boot lid and a ghosted speed stripe running along the sides.
Inside, interior designer Wolwod Wen chose to mix light-tone leather on the seating surfaces with suede center inserts and side bolsters, contrasted by black piping. The air vents, navigation screen, gauge rings, steering wheel rim and door handles are finished in black chrome while machined metal accent trim is found surrounding the shift gate, both center console storage areas, upon the door and on the steering wheel spokes.
“We celebrate our reentry into China with a vehicle that symbolizes an auspicious beginning for the Chrysler brand,” commented the head of the Chrysler brand, Saad Chehab.
“By integrating our distinctive American design and technology with timeless Chinese inspiration, we are looking to attract an emerging set of customers who are driven and dare to be different. We look forward to gathering the reaction of Chinese customers to the Chrysler 300 Ruyi, to surprise them with future models incorporating elements that we can see today in this design concept.”
Chrysler will re-launch in China with the 300C sedan this summer, while the Grand Voyager MPV will follow in the fourth quarter of the year.
PHOTO GALLERY
