dodge 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, which was a mid-size car. 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 in 96 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.

Engines

• 3.3L OHV V6
• 3.5L SOHC 24V V6

Trim

• 1993-1997 - Base
• 1996-1997 - Sport
• 1993-1997 - ES

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.

A new, top-of-the-line R/T model was added in 2000, the centerpiece of which was a redesigned version of the 3.5 L V6, now producing 242 hp. At the same time the 3.2 L was reduced to an option in the ES.

In 2001, the Intrepid made its debut on the NASCAR circuit, signifying the return of Chrysler to NASCAR competition after a 16-year hiatus. Drivers in the initial Dodge campaign included Bill Elliott, Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, Sterling Marlin, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones, Kyle Petty, Stacy Compton, Dave Blaney,and Casey Atwood. Marlin was the first to win in a Dodge, giving the marque its first victory since 1977, with the late Neil Bonnett driving.

The R/T was replaced for 2003 by a new model, the SXT, coinciding with an increased 250 hp power rating for the 3.5 L V6.

Popularity of the Intrepid waned over its 12-year lifespan. The cab-forward design was no longer considered revolutionary, and although the design was still far more modern, attractive and roomy than many of its rivals, the Intrepid was quietly retired in August 2004 to make way for Chrysler's new rear wheel drive LX vehicles. Intrepids were built at AMC's former assembly plant, originally used to manufacture the Eagle Premier, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

In addition, the second generation body styles were used for commercial and government purposes. These vehicles were used to make police interceptors, fire chief cars, and taxis similar to the earlier Chevy Caprice or Ford Crown Victoria. These packages had distinctive styling differences (such as half-moon hub caps) and additional wiring to support strobes and flashers in the trunk compartment and in the front by the grill. These packages and some non-police (non-commercial) packages featured plastic frontend intake vents that routed air onto the rotors for additional cooling and stopping power.

DaimlerChrysler discontinued the Intrepid after 2004 to make room for the 2005 Dodge Magnum station wagon and 2006 Dodge Charger sedan.

ESX concepts

Main article: Dodge Intrepid ESX

In the late 1990s, Chrysler used the Intrepid as a research platform for a hybrid electric vehicle in a diesel-electric configuration. Three variations were built, the Intrepid ESX, ESX II, and ESX III. The first vehicle was built in a series hybrid configuration, while the next two were considered "mybrids" or mild hybrids. These were attempted in the time frame of 1997 to 1998.

The ESX design team set a high goal of making the vehicle capable of sipping gasoline at 80 mpg, but the eventual vehicle only achieved an estimated 55 mpg. The figure was quite impressive for such a vehicle. However, the car used a number of exotic materials, which made the cost excessive if it were ever to go into full-scale production. It was estimated that the car would cost $80,000, or roughly $60,000 more than a regular Intrepid. Part of this price increase was caused by the use of lead-acid batteries.

The ESX II team set a somewhat more modest goal of 70 mpg. The vehicle was made much lighter than normal by using an aluminum frame and carbon fiber composite material. This version only cost around $37,000, or about $15,000 more than a standard Intrepid. This version used nickel metal hydride batteries.

The third vehicle, the ESX III, had a target mileage of 72 mpg. It used less expensive materials, such as injection-molded thermoplastic instead of carbon fiber. The estimated cost was only about $7,500 more than a standard vehicle, which would give a total somewhere around $30,000. The ESX III used lithium ion batteries.

It is unclear if the research teams really achieved these goals. Common Sense Not Required, a book by Evan Boberg, indicates that these vehicles did not attain these levels of efficiency.

Engines

• 1998-2004 - 2.7L V6
• 1998-2003 - 3.2L V6
• 2000-2004 - 3.5L V6

Trim

• 1998-2004 - Base (Referred to as "SE" from 2000 onward)
• 1998-2004 - ES
• 2003-2004 - SXT

Awards

The Intrepid and Concorde were on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1993 and 1994. The second-generation Intrepid again made the list for 1998 and 1999.

References

• Chrysler Hybrid-Electric Cars of the 1990s: Dodge Intrepid ESX Accessed May 29, 2004.
• Dodge Intrepid forums
• Allpar
• Concorde LX AutoGuideWiki.com
• Dodge Intrepid pics + owners
• Information concerning oil sludge in some Intrepids