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[[Image:2000 Dodge Intrepid.jpg|thumb|250px|2000 Dodge Intrepid]]
The '''Dodge Intrepid''' was a large
==Background==
The Intrepid's design can be traced to [[1986]], when designer Kevin Verduyn completed the initial exterior design of a new, sleek concept sedan called Navajo. The design never passed the clay model stage.
It was also at this time Chrysler Corporation purchased bankrupt Italian 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".
Cab-forward 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 1980's, after Chrysler had bought another ailing automaker: [[American Motors|AMC]]. 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 general suspension geometry (at the front, anyway) and parts of the braking system. The chassis itself became a flexible architecture capable of supporting front- or rear-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 Millenium 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 engine|pushrod]] [[V6]]. The 3.3 L engine's 60° block was bored out and recast in aluminum, while the pushrod-actuated valves were replaced with [[SOHC]] cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, creating an advanced 3.5 L V6.
==First Generation (1993–1997)==
The first generation of LH cars debuted with fanfare in late 1992 as three 1993 models: Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid (a Chrysler in Canada) and Eagle Vision.
The Intrepid was available in two trim levels: base and the sportier, better-equipped ES, which added four-wheel disk brakes, 16 inch wheels shod 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 prodtuction. A new variable-assist power steering rack replaced the original for 1994, allowing for easier parking while maintaining firmer feel at speed. The touring suspension tuning was also made standard equipment in the base model this year. ABS was made standard in the ES in 1995, while a manumatic shifting mechanism was inherited from the Eagle Vision in 1997, called AutoStick: the first manumatic function available in a mainstream car.
==Second Generation (1998–2004)==
The LH cars were redesigned from the ground up for 1998. 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. 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 centrepiece of which was a redesigned version of the 3.5 L V6, now producing 244 hp. At the same time the 3.2 L was reduced to an option in the ES.
The R/T was replaced for [[2003]] by a new model, 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. Cab-forward, revolutionary in [[1993]], had become ubiquitous and passé, culminating in Intrepid's quiet cancellation in [[2004]]. All Intrepids were built at AMC's former assembly plant, originally used to manufacture the Eagle Premier, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
==ESX Concepts==
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''', '''ESX2''', and '''ESX3'''. 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]].
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The Intrepid and Concorde were on ''[[Car and Driver]]'' magazine's [[Car and Driver Ten Best|Ten Best list]] for 1993 and 1994. The second-generation Intrepid again made the list for 1998 and 1999.
==References==
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