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DaimlerChrysler's Howler Prowls Greater Los Angeles Auto Show

7 January 2000

DaimlerChrysler's Howler Prowls Greater Los Angeles Auto Show

           A Performance Roadster Pickup Interpretation of Prowler

    LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 -- Paying homage to the rolling art of
hot rods, DaimlerChrysler showcased yet another concept vehicle at
the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show today -- the Howler.  As a performance
roadster pickup version of the Prowler, the Howler boasts a V-8 engine with
250 horsepower and 300 poundfeet of torque.
    Howler is the result of two internal projects.  DaimlerChrysler's designer
Christopher Schuttera, who graduated just two years ago from the University of
Cincinnati, had a vision based on a modern version of classic forms.  His
creation incorporated a pickup bed into the clean, pure Prowler design.
    At the same time, Jon Rundels, Senior Manager of Concept and Specialty
Vehicles, was looking for ways to meld the Prowler platform with the all-new
4.7-liter V-8 engine and a Borg-Warner T5 manual transmission.
    "Here we had two enthusiast projects going on in our own Auburn Hills
studios that you would expect to see in an automotive specialty shop here in
California," said Tom Gale, DaimlerChrysler Corporation's Executive Vice
President for Product Development and Design.
    "With its reputation of exhibiting ground-breaking automotive designs, the
Greater Los Angeles Auto Show is a perfect venue to display the Howler," noted
Gale.  "Successfully transforming a sophisticated hot rod into a functional
pickup is quite an engineering feat that show spectators here will
appreciate."
    Howler is an unprecedented combination of outrageous yet practical design
and powerful performance.  Technically, Rundels' team changed the engine from
the standard V-6 to the PowerTech V-8, replaced the rear transaxle with an
engine-mounted five-speed manual transmission with 10.5 inch clutch and a Dana
44 rear differential, and fabricated custom drive- and half-shafts.  A pedal
package with clutch was borrowed from the Neon to replace the standard two
pedal package.  Removing the rear transaxle provided the opportunity to
reposition and enlarge the fuel tank.
    "This in turn allowed us to open up the rear of the car and create space
for a trunk while leaving the front end, doors, top and interior untouched,"
added Schuttera.  "The result is a show vehicle that remains true to the
heritage of the home-built hot rod."  Howler's performance figures include a
sprint to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 129 mph.