Chrysler’s Firepower GT Car Still Looks Good After 25 Years

Last week, while celebrating Chrysler’s 100th Anniversary at the beautiful Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) on Belle Isle, I got to see something truly special: the 2005 Chrysler Firepower Concept. It’s not every day you come face-to-face with this Viper-based HEMI® V8-powered beauty, and let me tell you—this car still looks like it came straight from the future.

The Firepower Concept made its big debut back in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Designed to mix high-performance muscle with luxury grand touring, it was Chrysler’s bold take on what a premium coupe from the brand could look like. Underneath its sculpted body, it used a Dodge Viper chassis and packed a 6.1-liter (370 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8 from the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team.

That legendary HEMI® engine cranked out 425 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft of torque—good enough to get this sleek coupe from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds. Chrysler claimed a top speed of around 175 mph. That’s no joke, especially for a concept meant to be just as classy as it was quick.

Seeing it in person, the car’s Hydro Silver Pearl paint still glistens like new, and the carbon fiber trim and polished accents give it a high-end, handcrafted feel. Those massive billet aluminum wheels—19-inch up front and 20-inch out back—are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport rubber and look right at home under the sculpted fenders.

The interior is equally stunning. Ocean Deep Blue wraps around the cabin, with buttery-soft Oyster leather and real Behr maple wood trim creating an upscale yet performance-focused vibe. The sport seats are stitched to perfection, and everything you touch feels high-end—from the shifter to the steering wheel.

Honestly, this car should’ve made it to production. It’s rare to see the Firepower Concept in public, Chrysler usually keeps it tucked away. Having it out on display at the DYC for such a historic milestone felt like the perfect tribute to Chrysler’s 100 years of innovation, style, and American muscle.

Let’s hope they keep pulling these icons out for special moments like this. It was the highlight of the celebration for me, and a true reminder of what Chrysler is capable of when it dreams big.

2005 Chrysler Firepower Concept Image Gallery: