Cars - Dodge Intrepid

Home > Listing Index > Cars > Dodge Intrepid

	Cars - Dodge Intrepid

The Dodge Intrepid was a large four-door, full-size, front-wheel drive sedan. It was mechanically related to the Chrysler Concorde and the Eagle Vision sedans. The Intrepid, Concorde and Vision were collectively designated the LH, Chrysler's codename for the platform which underpinned them. It was sold in Canada as the Chrysler Intrepid.

Background

The Intrepid's design can be traced to 1986, when designer Kevin Verduyn completed the initial exterior design of a new aerodynamic concept sedan called Navajo. The design never passed the clay model stage.

It was also at this time that the Chrysler Corporation purchased bankrupt Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini. The Navajo's exterior design was reworked and became the Lamborghini Portofino, released as a concept at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Portofino was heralded as a design triumph, setting in motion Chrysler's decision to produce a production sedan with the Portofino's revolutionary design, called "cab-forward".

The cab-forward design was characterized by the long, low slung windshield and relatively short overhangs. The wheels where effectively pushed to the corners of the car, creating a much larger passenger cabin than the contemporaries of the time.

Design of the chassis began in the late 1980s, after Chrysler had bought another ailing automaker: AMC. During this time, Chrysler began designing the replacement for the then-new Dodge Dynasty. Initially it bore resemblance to the Dynasty, and this design was scrapped entirely after François Castaing, formerly AMC's Vice President of product engineering and development, became Chrysler's Vice President of vehicle engineering in 1988. The new design, under Castaing's leadership, began with the Eagle Premier.

The Premier's longitudinal engine mounting layout was inherited, as was the front suspension geometry and parts of the braking system. The chassis itself became a flexible architecture capable of supporting front or rear-wheel drive (designated "LH" and "LX" respectively).

The chassis design was continually refined throughout the following years, as it underpinned more Chrysler prototypes: the 1989 Chrysler Millennium and 1990 Eagle Optima.

The transmission was inspired by the Premier's Audi and ZF automatics. Borrowing heavily from Chrysler's A604 (41TE) "Ultradrive" transversely-mounted automatic, it became the A606 (also known as 42LE).

By 1990, it was decided that the new technologically-advanced car would need a new technologically-advanced engine to power it. Until that time, the only engine confirmed for use was the 3.3 L pushrod V6. The 3.3 L engine's 60° block was bored out to 3.5 liters, while the pushrod-actuated valves were replaced with SOHC cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, creating an advanced 3.5 L V6. For the second generation Intrepid R/T the block was recast in aluminum as part of a comprehensive upgrade.

First generation (1993–1997)

The first generation of LH cars debuted with fanfare at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as three 1993 models: the Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid (badged as a Chrysler in Canada) and the Eagle Vision (badged as a Chrysler in Europe).

The Intrepid was available in two trim levels: base and the sportier, better-equipped ES, which added four-wheel disk brakes, 16" wheels with better tires, and stiffer "touring" suspension damping. All Intrepids received driver and front passenger airbags, a rarity at the time, as well as air conditioning and the four-speed automatic transmission. Anti-lock brakes were optional, as was traction control and the more powerful 3.5 L SOHC engine (214 hp peak).

Changes were few over the Intrepid's initial five-year production. A new variable-assist power steering rack replaced the original for 1994, allowing for easier parking while maintaining a firmer feel at speed. The touring suspension tuning was also made standard equipment in the base model this year. Anti-lock brakes were made standard in the ES in 1995, and a new manual shift function for the automatic transmission, called AutoStick, was inherited from the Eagle Vision TSi: the first transmission of its kind available in a mainstream car.

Second generation (1998–2004)

The LH cars were redesigned from the ground up for 1998. The design was stunningly modern and widely acclaimed at the time. The engines were replaced by two new all-aluminum units: a DOHC 2.7 L, 200 hp V6 for base models, and a SOHC 3.2 L, 225 hp V6 for the ES. Some of the 2.7 L V6 engines have suffered from failures due to oil sludge contamination. These problems happen when fine engine oil passages become clogged with sludge, and often result in catastrophic failure of the engine. An unknown number of Intrepid owners have been affected. Fixes include changing to synthetic oil, inspection, and even engine replacement. The base model continued to use the ordinary four-speed automatic, while the ES featured AutoStick as standard equipment.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Dodge Intrepid ]

This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article Dodge Intrepid; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.

Cars - Dodge Intrepid

Background

First generation (1993–1997)

Second generation (1998–2004)

Searches on eBay

Related searches on eBay