Return of the 'Runner: Plymouth Road Runner Concept shackled to the virtual world
19th Jun 2009


Plymouth Road Runner Concept - Click above for image gallery

Nearly a year ago, the cover of Mopar Enthusiast asked the question: Could the Plymouth Road Runner be reborn? The obvious answer: No. But that didn't stop the buff book from publishing a host of gorgeous renderings by Michael Leonhard, an independent artist hailing from Austria.
Based on the Dodge Challenger, the Road Runner concept takes its cues from the '71-72 models, and in Leonhard's active imagination, it would be powered by a choice of 5.7-, 6.1- or 7.0-liter engines, each available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox, complete with paddle shifters. The 20-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) wheels combine a little old-school nostalgia with a new-school flavor, along with a glowing Roadrunner logo placed between the LED tail lamps. We'll let the artist and his work speak for themselves, so check out the gallery below and make the jump for Leonhard's own description, along with a brief video of the concept.


Plymouth Road Runner Concept

I think it's difficult and a tight task to bring back a trademark that has vanished into thin air. Especially nowadays where competition is tougher than ever in the automotive industry. And so it may be for Plymouth - a brand that dissappeard and left memories for having built great classics and muscle cars.

The most noted Plymouth car ever may be the Road Runner. For a possible and effective relaunch of the Plymouth brand a reissue of the Road Runner could fit the bill. Overall it means the transfer of remaining memories and spirits of a car brand from yesterday into the future. Directly tieing up on a point when Plymouth achieved success (like back in the late 60s, beginnning of 70s). And that's why I decided to choose the Road Road Runner name for a re-launch of Plymouth. A bird and brand rising again like phoenix from the ashes.

The concept takes most of it's cues from the Road Runners of the years '71 and '72. In combination with modernized and futuristic shapes, but keeping the character of the original car. The front looks dramatic and mean thanks to a headlight section made of tinted glass. Headlights only become visible when they are turned on. The same goes for the Roadrunner Logo in the center that is now illuminated. The big grille opening provides plenty of air for the radiator. The hemi-powered monster gets rid of hot air the other way round through the typical hood scoops. The side view is characterized by a dramatically dynamic shape with a low roof line, high belt line, square-molded wheel-arches and big magnesium five spoke wheels (22 inch rear, 20 inch front) combined with red line tires. The powerful looks continue on the rear with a big diffusor for improved road grip and a dual exhaust system. The taillights are styled to match the headlights and become visible when turned on. To a big part the roof is made of glass except the A-pillars made of aluminium. The C-pillar becomes a dominating design element on the roof section and carries the typical
interrupted Roadrunner grafics. The color of choice for the body is Curious Yellow and Triple Black. The noise when honking the horn? "Beep-Beep" of course!