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The Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid enter 1998 with completely new all-aluminum V-6 engines that are more powerful, fuel efficient and cleaner than their predecessors, while marking a new level in power train design, development and durability. Chrysler Corporation's next generation of car engines delivers up to 25 percent more power while increasing fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. At the same time, overall emissions are down approximately 30 percent.
ENGINES - Buy The Concorde Here
The all-aluminum, 2.7-liter, 24-valve, dual overhead cam V-6 - which is new from top to bottom - produces more horsepower-per-liter than any V-6 available today in its class. Rated at 200 hp, it powers the Chrysler Concorde LX and Dodge Intrepid for 1998. A new, all-aluminum, 3.2-liter, 24-valve V-6 engine, rated at 225 hp, produces more horsepower than the current cast iron 3.5-liter version. It powers the 1998 Chrysler Concorde LXi and Dodge Intrepid ES sedans. These engines, part of an investment of about $625 million, will be produced at the Company's engine plants in Kenosha, Wis., and Trenton, Mich.
FUEL ECONOMY AND EMISSIONS - Buy The Concorde Here
Fuel economy ratings of the new 2.7 liter and 3.2 liter engines are improved by as much as 10 percent when used in the all-new 1998 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid sedans. Moreover, these new engines have the potential to reduce hydrocarbon emissions by as much as 30 percent. They meet Tier 1 federal emission standards and California's Transitional Low Emission Vehicle (TLEV) standards for 1998. They also will meet California's stringent Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards by the year 2000.
Engineers working on Chrysler's new family of V-6 engines minimized noise by maximizing stiffness, and either balancing or isolating rotating parts and assemblies. The goal was not to eliminate as much noise as possible, but to reduce sounds that are unpleasant to the ear. Traditionally, the weak point in a power train is the joint between the engine and the transmission. In the 2.7-liter engine, for example, Chrysler engineers chose to make the crankshaft out of forged steel rather than cast nodular iron, making it 26 percent stiffer than the current 3.3-liter engine.
LONGEVITY - Buy The Concorde Here
One goal of Chrysler's new engine program was to make them completely "dry" - no oil leaks or even stains on the engine block. Premium gaskets and seals are used throughout the engines, resulting in a significant, tangible benefit to both the customer and general environment. Additionally, the cylinders are lined with cast iron to make them last longer. Liners are cast in place in the aluminum block by an industry-first process that permanently holds the liner in place and assures proper cooling of the cylinder walls.
REDESIGN - Buy The Concorde Here
An all-new series of aluminum engines that is more powerful, more fuel-efficient and cleaner running is only one part of the total redesign programs which resulted in the 1998 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid. Improvements were made in every area to increase overall quality, safety and durability, while reducing weight, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. While the previous-generation Concorde and Intrepid served as a solid foundation because of their excellent packaging and ride/handling attributes, one goal of the overall $2.1 billion redesign program was to take them to the next level in several key areas.
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR - Buy The Concorde Here
The 1998 Concorde and Intrepid have two completely different body assemblies. The front fenders, hoods, roofs, quarter panels, rear doors and trunk lids are unique to each model. The Concorde has an aluminum hood, marking the first high-volume application of this material for a body panel on a Chrysler vehicle. Throughout the body, parts consolidation has reduced the number of stampings. An example is the one-piece body side aperture panels which form the door openings. One-piece aperture panels simplify construction - the number of major stampings on the body side is reduced to 10 from 16 - while increasing body stiffness and dimensional accuracy for a high level of fit and finish.
EXTERIOR PAINT - Buy The Concorde Here
Every exterior body panel of the 1998 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid except the roof is coated with a zinc alloy before welding. The body assembly is cleaned and coated with zinc phosphate through an immersion process to enhance paint adhesion. The bodies are primed using an electro-coat immersion process (E-coat) that provides a base for the finish coat. This primer also resists the spread of corrosion if the paint and primer are chipped. For protection against stone damage, the entire body is spray-coated with anti-chip urethane. An additional layer is applied to the hood. In addition to increased chip resistance, this primer increases the overall durability of the paint when exposed to ultra-violet radiation. New waterborne base (color) coatings used on the 1998 Concorde and Intrepid provide a glossier finish than solvent-based coatings while enhancing the brilliance of metallic colors. Waterborne coatings also reduce emissions during the painting process.
COLORS - Buy The Concorde Here
For 1998, Concorde and Intrepid are offered in four new exterior colors: Champagne Pearl Metallic, Deep Cranberry Pearl Coat, Forest Green Pearl Coat and Deep Slate Pearl Coat. All except Forest Green, which is offered on other Chrysler car lines for 1998, are new to the Corporation. The following additional exterior colors are also offered on the Concorde and Intrepid for 1998: Candy Apple Red Metallic-Tinted Clear Coat, Deep Amethyst Clear Coat, Bright Platinum Metallic Clear Coat and Stone White Clear Coat. Interior colors include two dual-tone combinations in either Quartz or Camel, to enhance the overall appearance within the Concorde and Intrepid. Quartz uses subtle shade differences to highlight the interior. Camel provides darker upper surfaces with lighter seats and door trim. An agate interior color scheme is also offered on both models.
INNOVATIVE - Buy The Concorde Here
The all-new 1998 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid not only break convention when it comes to exciting, passionate designs. As a Corporation, Chrysler continues to set new benchmarks in engineering and product excellence by meeting or exceeding high objectives that resulted in a lengthy list of industry firsts and best-in-class features for these new sedans. A key part of the redesign process was to evaluate every area to make improvements no matter how small the part or system. This process found that there were many basic strengths of the previous-generation cars which could be used as building blocks for the all new 1998 Concorde and Intrepid. Still, every area of the total $2.1 billion redesign process for the 1998 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid was seen as an opportunity not only for refinement but for innovation, according to Miller. To aid this process, about 70 "functional objective" target areas were established - areas which define a vehicle's character and directly translate into high customer satisfaction and quality.
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