The rear wheels are driven by 3.5 litre V6 gas engine. The front wheels are electrically powered by Siemens motors similar to those found in other electric vehicles. The electric motors produce 70 horsepower to supplement the 253 horsepower provided by the gas engine.

It is not only the means of propulsion that is innovative. All points of access have been carefully thought out. The luggage area is accessed by either the side or rear. The boot door retracts under the floor of the luggage area. The 'B-pillar' - the structure between the front and rear doors - uniquely moves with the rear door to aid access.

"We wanted to make it easy for a wheelchair-bound driver to get in and out of the driver's seat.

"We wanted them to be able to slide into the front seat, collapse their wheelchair and store it in the rear passenger seat, all without having to get out of the driver's seat", says Neil Walling, vice president of Chrysler's Advanced Design and Exterior Large Car, Small Car and Minivan Design. "As we went along, we realised that convenience would also have a broad appeal."

The Citadel is based upon the Chrysler Concorde chassis. It was styled by Osamu Shikado who was also responsible for the Chrysler Chronos.

"Both cars have heroic proportions, but they are very different statements," says Shikado. "The Citadel is very contemporary, whereas the Chronos was the epitome of Chrysler Heritage. The Citadel's windows, side panels and tyres are flush to create a body section that designers call monocoque."

The designer principally responsible for the interior was Akino Tsuchiya. With the use of traditional luxury materials she said she was attempting to create a European look with hints of Art Deco.