Under a storm of ticker tape, Chrysler unveiled its first ever sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the Detroit Motor Show. Once the applause, and the paper shower, died down it was clear to see that Chrysler has not taken any chances with the styling of this potentially best-selling vehicle.

At the front, the new Aspen features the bold 'egg crate' chrome grille as used throughout the Chrysler range. This is shared with the large Chrysler saloon we get in Europe, and Chrysler referred to the Aspen as the "300 of SUVs", meaning that it is to be treated as a premium product, but retails well below the established marques' premium rivals.

Though the Aspen has shades of Chrysler's large Voyager MPV, it is considerably more upright. Under the bonnet is the obligatory V8 engine, with US customers getting a choice of 4.7 or 5.7-litre Hemi. The latter features cylinder deactivation in an attempt to reduce the fuel consumption to acceptable levels.

Our photographs straight from the show floor do not convey this car's size. For starters, it can seat up to eight passengers, and is 150mm longer than the Range Rover. It is unclear whether the Aspen will make it to Europe when production begins this autumn, though the lack of a diesel option and the column-mounted gearchange make us believe not. Jeep is a sister company to Chrysler and we don't think the European SUV market would support the Aspen's introduction.

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