2006 Racing Issue - UAW-Chrysler.com

“Now, the muscle Charger is coming
back. It just makes sense to get back to
our heritage and bring the Charger
back to NASCAR.”
A HERITAGE
OF EXCELLENCE
In the showroom, Dodge fans can get
an SRT8 version of the Charger that
takes the optional 5.7-liter Hemi and
upgrades it to a 6.1. Then there are
great wheels, tires, wings and other
options Dodge owners love. “They get
a car that reflects the muscle that’s on
the track,” says Fernandez. “It’s a real
performance machine.”
On the track, Chargers remain true
to their racing roots — but with a whole
new world of technological precision.
“Racing engineering has come a long
way, and the Chargers reflect that,”
Fernandez says. “They pack more pure
speed, with incredible aerodynamics
and the development of chassis and tire
sophistication.”
Of course, Buddy Baker knows all
about the fast part. His speed record of
200.447 mph at Talladega on March 24,
1970, ignited unprecedented buzz about
the Dodge Charger. It remains a milestone
in NASCAR history. “One of the
first laps was 199.8 mph,” says Baker.
“And that was just warming up.”
The record-breaking No. 88 had
modest beginnings. It began as a loaner
vehicle, available to journalists looking
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Ralph Gilles, lead designer
for the 2006 Charger.
Ralph Gilles is a lot like the cars he
creates — confident, daring and a bit
risqué. As lead designer for the 2006
Dodge Charger, he dusted off a racing
gem with a legendary NASCAR past
that has everybody talking — on and off
the racetrack.
“Design has to be polarizing,” says
Gilles. “To come up with vanilla is
generic. But controversy, well executed,
can work in your favor.”
The 35-year-old Canadian-born
designer has been polishing the
Chrysler Group’s power image since
his arrival in 1992. Credited with
also leading the design on the Dodge
Magnum and the Chrysler 300
sedan, the wunderkind of Studio 3 at
the DaimlerChrysler Technology
Center is fearless in making creative
statements.
Gilles boasts that the design of the
Charger is full of character and flavor —
with an in-your-face attitude that only
an American car can get away with.
He’s referring to the distinguishing
features like the “fender kick-up” at
the side windows, the bold rear-fender
detail and the furrow-browed front
nose that accents the Charger’s
aggressive posture.
“We asked ourselves, ‘Are the lights
too angry’? If we get uncomfortable
during design, that’s a good thing,” he
says. “But that’s why I love
this job, because we don’t
shy away from risk-taking.”
Sketching over old cars
as a kid, Gilles had visions
of future greatness. His
parents were concerned
that he spent too much time
drawing and not enough
thinking about a “real”
career. But even while living
in his parent’s basement
with no job, Gilles was
DESIGNER SETS
FAST PACE
set on designing Chrysler cars.
“I fell in love with the Viper,” he says.
“I saw this company committing a lot of
capital to a new building and a new
image, and I knew that design was still
a very powerful tool for this company.”
After graduating from Detroit’s
College for Creative Studies, Gilles
landed his dream job at Chrysler and
watched his stock skyrocket as he
became one of the top designers in the
auto industry.
Gilles’ achievements as an African
American in a field dominated by white
designers are noteworthy, but he
downplays race as a barrier to his
success. He prefers to let his track
record speak for itself.
“The doors aren’t closed to African
American designers,” says Gilles. “It’s
just the consciousness is not there.
Sometimes it does help (being an
African American). It makes people
listen differently mainly because
they’re intrigued. In hindsight, it has
been more of a benefit.”
Despite the kudos Gilles has gained
for his three prize vehicles, he is quick
to point to the combined efforts of his
team of designers and engineers.
“I’m just one member of a really
great team. In high school, it was easy
being the best. You come here, and
everybody’s good.”
Currently, Gilles is settling in to a
new challenge — truck design. His
latest creation is under a tight lid, but
judging by his Charger credentials,
NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series
better watch out. A new racing icon
might be waiting in the wings.
— Tanisha Perez
Read more about Ralph Gilles on
the UAW-DaimlerChrysler NTC
Web site at www.uawdcx.com/
publications/tomorrow.cfm.
TOMORROW SPECIAL RACING 2006 15