A Jeep inspired by radio-controlled cars was among a trio of concept vehicles unveiled on Saturday by DaimlerChrysler at the Detroit Motor Show.

Twin 5.7-litre engines - one in the front and one in the back - deliver the Jeep Hurricane's 670bhp. With front and rear wheels that can turn inward, the Hurricane can spin on its axis.

"Hurricane is purpose-built for extreme off-road action," says Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler's president and chief executive officer.

The Hurricane can operate on four, eight, 12 or 16 cylinders to balance the needs of fuel-efficiency and power. And it can accelerate from 0-60mph an hour in under 5 seconds.

Chrysler also showed the Jeep Gladiator, which is billed as a lifestyle pickup truck with the off-road capability of the Wrangler. It has an open-air canvass top and a 1.5-metre-long truck bed that expands to up to 2.5 metres.

And the company's two-seater Chrysler Firepower is based on the Dodge Viper.

It features a tinted glass roof that extends to the rear liftgate.