It is no news that Plymouth Prowler was a flop. Nonetheless, the model was a huge exception to the norm when it was released in 1997. In an era when cars were as bland as they get, the Plymouth Prowler was a breath of fresh air, an interesting shift from the completely bland cars the world had known Chrysler and other 90s manufacturers for. For this, some automotive enthusiasts have described the Plymouth Prowler as the single strangest production car that emerged from the 90s.
Later known as the Chrysler Prowler, the Plymouth Prowler was marketed by Daimler Chrysler since its inception till 2002, and it was based on the 1993 Prowler concept car. Offered only in a single generation, the sports car features a front-engine, rear-drive, and rear-transmission configuration. Notably, there are several reasons why we love the Prowler, and we’ve also identified the reasons it flopped. Check them all out here.
10 Retro-Style
Non-gearheads often wonder what retro-styled cars truly mean. Simply put, it is the reintroduction of a relatively older but popular car design on newer car models by adopting the original car’s styling cues, but with modernized surfacing and contemporary technology.
Retro designs offer an air of recognizability, and it has since found a cult following among automotive enthusiasts. This is one of the main reasons we love the Plymouth Prowler, as its design was inspired by 1930s era hot rods.
9 Powertrain
Though mild, the series of engines that powered the Plymouth Prowler were potent enough to deliver a thrilling ride performance for its enthusiasts. Upon introduction, the Prowler adopted the Chrysler 3.5-liter SOHC V6 engine with an output of 214 horsepower at 5850 rpm.
Subsequently, for improved performance and a more exhilarating driving experience, the engine was replaced for the 1999 model year with a more potent aluminum-block variant with an output of 253 horsepower at 6400 rpm.
8 Rapid Acceleration
The Plymouth Prowler has a decent performance rating, which is further enhanced by its low weight. Notably, the 1997 model with its 214 horsepower-producing engine can accelerate from rest to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Not lightning quick, but still fairly brisk.
It gets even better in the subsequent model years, as the 1999 to 2002 models could accelerate from rest to 60 mph in a mere 5.9 seconds courtesy of its potent 253 horsepower engine.
7 Balanced Weight Distribution
Weight distribution greatly influences how a car performs. Hence, vehicle manufacturer always ensures to put a great deal of effort into achieving an even weight distribution in their cars. Notably, the Plymouth Prowler has a 50/50 weight distribution, meaning the front and the back wheels bear an equal amount of weight.
Adopting a four-speed Autostick automatic gearbox, the Prowler’s transmission is located at the car’s rear, and it is connected to the engine through an arrangement that further enhances a balanced weight distribution.
6 Lightweight
Another reason to love the Plymouth Prowler is its light-weightedness. It is popular knowledge that weight significantly impacts the performance of automobiles, and when high speed is the aim, it is often better to keep the weight down.
The heavier a vehicle, the more energy it’ll need to move freely. Hence, at a curb weight of about 2,800 pounds, the Prowler has a relatively low weight, and this was achieved through a prominent adoption of aluminum in the construction of the body.
5 Heightened For Daily Driving
Features make cars enjoyable, and the Plymouth Prowler is fitted with amazing features that made it such an awesome car to be adopted for daily driving duties. One of these features is the keyless entry. Not only does it provide for better security against intruders who want to steal the car, but the keyless entry system also provides optimum convenience for Prowler users.
Other amenities that make the car such a great daily driver include a leather-wrapped steering wheel fitted with audio system controls, as well as a power window and door locks.
4 Awesome Features
Who wouldn’t love a color-keyed instrument panel bezel adorned in a paint color that matches the exterior color of the car? That’s exactly what’s obtainable on the amazing Prowler. Furthermore, the car features leather-trimmed bucket seats for amazing seating comfort, as well as an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player and an optional multi-disc CD changer.
Safety is ensured through dual airbags, while other awesome amenities include air conditioning and a digital odometer with full instrumentation, just to name a few.
3 Variety Of Color Options
Variety is the spice of life they often say, and making a product available in several cool colors would only increase such a product’s appeal to a wider range of customers - and it is another reason the Prowler seems irresistible. Whatever your color preference, you can almost be sure to find a Prowler made just for you.
Through its two production runs, the Prowler was available in 12 colors, and they include the purple metallic, the only color available in 1997, as well as yellow, black, and red clear coats, among others.
2 Why It Flopped – Lack Of Space
There isn’t a milder way to say this, but the Plymouth Prowler simply has no space, and that surely affected its wide adoption. Interior space is nonexistent as the car can only seat just two people. It gets even worse in terms of interior comfort, as the Prowler literally has no headroom with the top-up.
Furthermore, luggage space is also nonexistent in the Prowler. While there is a trunk, it is however extremely small and offers no respite for people who might have intended to carry massive luggage during trips.
1 Why It Flopped – Lack Of Manual Transmission
The eventual flop of the Plymouth Prowler can actually be attributed to several factors. However, its lack of a manual transmission option has been widely identified as one of the main reasons for its flop. A great mistake by Plymouth, a manual transmission could have stamped the car’s authority as a true performance automobile.
It surely had the needed power to deliver enviable performance, as its 253 horsepower and 2,800 pounds weight earns it an enviable power-to-weight ratio.