Dodge M80 Concept

Compact trucks tend to be ubiquitous, entry-level vehicles, but at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, Dodge designers set out to change all that. One of a quartet of millennial-focused 2002 Chrysler Group concepts, the Dodge M80 breathes new life into what has become a bread-and-butter class of boring vehicles, sold mostly on price and ability to make a positive contribution to truck CAFE numbers. At the same time, in their typically coy manner, DaimlerChrysler is giving the auto world what may be a sneak peak at the next-generation Dakota pickup due in 2004.

"This year's concept vehicles are all designed for the millennial generation," said Dave McKinnon, Vice President for Design at the Chrysler Group. "We found that one of the products that the market lacks for this group right now is what they call 'a real hot pickup truck, just for me, a friend, and our gear.' The Dodge M80 concept is like 'son-of-Power Wagon,' an in-your-face pickup truck, now light, lean, agile, with four-wheel drive and a powerful engine."

Designers John Opfer and Jeff Gale borrowed cues from the prewar series of Job-Rated half-ton pickups so popular with Dodge Truck aficionados. Together, this duo was able to translate honest simplicity of the 1939 TC and 1941 WC half-ton pickups into a fresh and contemporary design that builds upon the recent Dodge truck concepts, especially the 1999 Power Wagon, while illustrating a direct link to the new-for-2002 full-sized Ram.

Exterior Form
An active off-roader, designer John Opfer said, "When we first conceived the design for the M80, we were looking for fresh proportions. In the M80, we have a truly American style of vehicle. We adopted the high cowl, short front overhang, a more vertical windshield, simple fender forms on the bed and body. It's an honest design and most of all, elegant in its simplicity."