Getting ready for the spotlight
  | Cliff Wilkins' interior has removable, iPod-ready boom boxes; a sliding cargo tray; and cupholders in the tailgate. | |
THE REALITY BEHIND A CONCEPT
Getting ready for the spotlight
Automotive News / January 8, 2007 - 1:00 am
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Representatives from Metalcrafters met weekly - sometimes daily - with Chrysler representatives via videoconference. Once they unloaded the clay model from the moving van, workers made a mold by covering the clay with fiberglass and epoxy resin. From that epoxy mold, they constructed a carbon-fiber body. Some parts of the vehicle, such as the fenders and hood, were molded separately. They used sheet metal to join the carbon-fiber body to a chassis derived from two donor vehicles. |
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A big grin spread across Vardis' face when he entered a walled-off area of the Metalcrafters workshop. There sat the Trailhawk, lighted up and covered in silver primer. "It looks so muscular. I can't believe how powerful the stance is," he said. Wilkins' first reaction was that this would be a "dynamite concept." Said Sgalia: "We need a sign: No Wimps." |
Some people think designing is just about drawing, Vardis told an observer. "It's a physical job." Before long, the designers began placing pencil marks and neon-green dot stickers on the primed surface to mark areas that needed work. Thin strips of electrical tape indicated spots that had to be resanded. Drawing on his sculptural skills, Vardis started adding clay to the side mirrors, which were deemed too small. Wilkins had come armed with his sketchbook and a legal pad filled with notes. He climbed onto one of the exposed-foam seats and compared his specifications for the interior with the real thing. Very little had to be changed. "I think it is very close," Wilkins said. "It exceeded my expectations. If you've only ever seen it in data, there are so many opportunities to have gotten things wrong. Fortunately, there are no major areas where we've miscalculated." |
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The modifications needed turned out to be relatively minor. In the next few weeks, Metalcrafters would complete its work, including painting and upholstery.
In November, Sgalia and Quigley made one last trip to Metalcrafters. This would be the final chance to make corrections. Fortunately, aside from refinement in the body paint, little needed to be done.
About a week later, the vehicle would be presented to LaSorda, along with other concepts, at Chrysler's Pacifica design studio in Carlsbad, Calif. In the ensuing weeks would come photo and video shoots for media kits.
The vehicle is now ready for its close-up. More than a year after Vardis and Creed first visualized it, the Trailhawk is scheduled to debut today, Jan. 8, at the North American International Auto Show.
You may e-mail Leslie J. Allen at lallen@crain.com
Timeline
Fall 2005: Designer Nicho Vardis submits an exterior sketch to the Chrysler group's annual concept design competition.
January 2006: Vardis wins the competition.
February 2006: Design team formed; designer Clifford Wilkins will do the interior.
March 2006: Clay model is milled.
May 2006: Metalcrafters gets the clay model and begins hand-building the concept.
Summer 2006: A detailed computer model of the interior is sent to Metalcrafters; interior materials are ordered and shipped; designers prepare detailed "sketchbooks" on the interior and exterior. The vehicle is named Trailhawk.
October 2006: Design team inspects the nearly finished vehicle.
November 2006: Supervisors conduct final reviews at Metalcrafters.
December 2006: Trailhawk is unveiled for CEO Tom LaSorda at Chrysler's Pacifica studio in California.
Jan. 8, 2007: World debut scheduled at North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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