Chrysler LH platform

1994 Dodge Intrepid

TheLH platformserved as the basis for theChrysler Concorde,Chrysler LHS,Chrysler 300M,Dodge Intrepid,Eagle Vision,and the finalChrysler New Yorker.APlymouthto be called the "Accolade" was planned, but never saw production. The platform pioneeredChrysler's "cab-forward"design; featured on some Chrysler, Dodge, and Eagle cars in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Development

As the 1990s dawned, Chrysler faced a renewed round of financial troubles. The US economy slipped into a recession following the 1987Black Mondaystock market crash and theSavings and Loan Crisis,but the company's main problems were due to a lack of engineering innovation and careless spending during the years of prosperity in the 1980s. Most of Chrysler's lineup was based on the proven, but datedK-carplatform, plus debt accumulated from expensive purchases including Italian automakerLamborghinialong withAmerican Motors,and critics routinely criticized their inability to produce cars that were competitive with Japanese companies or Ford, which had just struck a coup-de-grace with theTaurusline. It was time for Chrysler to make a fresh start for the 1990s. The Board of Directors at Chrysler announced thatLee Iacoccawould retire at the end of 1992.Iacocca was promoting Gerald Greenwald as his replacement, but that bought opposition.Although some suspected that he would later turn the leadership over to Bob Lutz, the board instead designated an outsider, the straitlacedBob Eatonas the new chairman.With Chrysler facing an uncertain future in the late 1980s, engineering teams were now allowed to explore new designs that had been largely discouraged under Iacocca's tenure.

The LH platform was based on theAmerican Motors-developed andRenault-derivedEagle Premier.According toBob Lutz,"[t]he Premier had an excellent chassis and drove so damned well that it served as a benchmark for the LH... the spiritual father, the genetic antecedent of the LH is the Premier."Like the Premier, the LH-cars featured a longitudinally-mounted engine with a front-wheel drive drivetrain, unusual in most U.S. front-wheel drive cars, but a hallmark of Renault's designs.This arrangement meant that the design team had to use a chain to connect the automatic transmission with the front differential, a design reminiscent of the originalOldsmobile Toronadothough subject to greater wear and noise.

The LH platform team was headed byFrançois Castaing,who was previously responsible for product engineering and development at American Motors Corporation (AMC). Working with an engineering team of only 700, it took just over three years from the styling studio to the showrooms.To give focus for the platform engineering team, the benchmark target was the Eagle Premier.

Exterior styling was heavily influenced by another Chrysler design which debuted as theLamborghini Portofino,a concept car introduced at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Dodge and Eagle LH cars competed directly against the Ford Taurus and other mid-size cars, largely replacing the K-basedC-bodies.The Chrysler models competed with upmarket domestics such asBuickandOldsmobile.The LH cars debuted in 1992 and were updated in 1997. The LH platform was replaced with therear-wheel driveChrysler LX platformfor the 2005 model year. While Chrysler's sales never rose to the levels of those popular rivals, the LH vehicles succeeded in altering Chrysler's previously dowdy public image, recasting the automaker as an innovative design leader. The cab-forward look also influenced Chrysler's subsequent compact PL (Chrysler Neon) and midsizeJA platformcar designs in the 1990s.

Much as the company had done in the months leading up to the introduction of the K-platform cars in 1980, Chrysler referred directly to the LH platform in advertisements touting the advantages of its "cab-forward"architecture (generally meant to imply wheels moved out towards the corners of the body; a short, sloping hood; and a large windshield extending from its base over the front wheels), and also referred to the platform name for theChrysler LHSsedan.Although the real "gold mine" of Chrysler's acquisition ofAMCwas theJeepbrand, their minivans and LH sedans also helped to bail the company out of almost certain bankruptcy in the 1990s.

First generation (1993–1997)

1993-1997 Chrysler Concorde

1994-1997 Chrysler LHS

The first generation LH cars used the existing3.3 L OHV V6as well asa new 3.5 L SOHC V6,with a four-speedautomatic transmissionas standard.

Cars built on the first version of the LH platform:

• 1993-1997Chrysler Concorde
• 1993-1997Dodge Intrepid
• 1993-1997Eagle Vision
• 1994-1996Chrysler New Yorker
• 1994-1997Chrysler LHS

All versions shared a 113 in (2,870 mm) wheelbase. One year after the original three cars were introduced, the "stretched" LHS and New Yorker had different rear bodywork providing 5 in (127 mm) more overall length as well as a revised rear seat providing more legroom.

Originally, Chrysler came close to givingPlymoutha variant of the LH platform, called the PlymouthAccolade,a name consistent with the then-currentPlymouth Acclaim.It was to be a base model below the equipment level of the Intrepid. The Accolade never made it into production.

Second generation (1998–2004)

1999 Chrysler Concorde

2001 Chrysler LHS

The second generation LH cars usedthe 2.7 L DOHC V6and3.2 L SOHC V6,as well as an updated version of the older 3.5 L, with a four-speedautomatic transmissionas standard.

Cars built on the second version of the LH platform:

• 1998-2004Chrysler Concorde
• 1998-2004Dodge Intrepid
• 1999-2001Chrysler LHS
• 1999-2004Chrysler 300M
• 2002-2004Chrysler ConcordeLimited

When Chrysler discontinued the Eagle brand after 1998, the Chrysler 300M was introduced as a replacement for the Vision. All models again shared a wheelbase of 113 inches (2,870 mm). The 300M was several inches shorter than Concorde, Intrepid, & LHS, due to shorter front and rear overhangs in order to bring the car's length under 5 meters.

Media

One episode ofRobert Reich's 1992 PBS miniseriesMade In Americafocused on the then-yet-to-be-released LH's development and its role in reversing Chrysler's flagging fortunes. A camouflaged Dodge Intrepid is seen being put through the paces at Chrysler's test track, along with concept sketches and other behind-the-scenes activities.

See also

• Chrysler platforms
• Dodge Monaco
• Eagle Premier
• Lamborghini Portofino

External links

• "Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and Chrysler Concorde, 300M, New Yorker, and LHS".allpar.Retrieved2 April2014.
• Pietrangelo, Joel D. (March 1992)."LH engineers become true believers in teamwork".Ward's Auto World.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-04-07.Retrieved2 April2014.