Chrysler Concorde

Chrysler Concorde

The Concorde'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.

Chrysler Concorde

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 exterior design, called "cab-forward".

Chrysler Concorde

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

The first generation of the Concorde debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as a 1993 model. It debuted as a single, well-equipped model that was priced at US$18,341

The Concorde was generally the top offering of the original three LH cars, with the Vision ESi starting between a base Intrepid and a base Concorde (usually just under the Concorde by a few hundred dollars). However the Vision TSi's base price was more than a base Concorde. Later, longer LH cars, the New Yorker and LHS, started higher than the Concorde. The "First Generation" Design was based on the exterior design of the 1987 concept Lamborghini Portofino.