Eagle Vision
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Eagle Vision | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler Corporation |
| Also called | Chrysler Vision |
| Production | 1993 – 1997 |
| Assembly | Bramalea Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Predecessor | Eagle Premier |
| Successor | Chrysler 300M |
| Class | Full-size sports sedan |
| Body style(s) | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Chrysler LH platform |
| Engine(s) | 3.3 L EGA V6 3.5 L EGJ V6 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed 42LE automatic |
| Wheelbase | 113.0 in (2870 mm) |
| Length | 201.6 in (5121 mm) |
| Width | 74.4 in (1890 mm) |
| Height | 1993-94: 55.8 in (1417 mm) 1995-97: 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3371 lb (1529 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 18 US gallons (68.1 L/15.0 imp gal) |
| Related | Chrysler Concorde Chrysler LHS Chrysler New Yorker Dodge Intrepid |
The Eagle Vision was a full-size, front-wheel drive sports sedan. It was produced by the Chrysler Corporation, and sold under the Eagle marque from 1993 to 1997 as the replacement to the AMC/Renault-designed Eagle Premier (from which the Vision was derived). It is similar to the first generation Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS and Chrysler New Yorker. The Vision, Intrepid, Concorde, LHS and New Yorker are collectively designated the LH: Chrysler's codename for the platform which underpinned them. The Eagle Vision was badged as the Chrysler Vision in Europe. The Vision debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1994, and along with the other LH sedans was Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year in 1993.
Contents |
[edit] Design
The appearance is based on the 1987 concept Lamborghini Portofino's revolutionary design, called "cab forward." The cab-forward design is characterized by the long, low slung windshield and relatively short overhangs. The wheels are effectively pushed to the corners of the car, creating a much larger passenger cabin than the contemporaries of the time. The aerodynamic shape makes for little wind noise inside this large car. This sleek styling gives the Vision a low drag coefficient (0.31) which was ahead of its time.
Without badges, the Vision could relatively easily pass as a (first generation) Concorde. The main difference between the two are the taillight clusters. With a nod toward the European sedans it was marketed to compete with, the Vision incorporates amber turn signals rather than the Concorde's red. The Vision also does not have the Concorde's rear lightbar between the two taillights. The Vision and Concorde share the same headlights but the Vision's grille is smaller. The Dodge Intrepid, on the other hand, features completely different head and taillights and has no grille at all.
The Vision's monochromatic design inside and out, which includes the absence of any brand or model badge on the doors (as found on the Concorde) and available aluminum wheels that feature a simple, clean design, was said to lend a European flavor to the car's overall appearance. The single color design is more pronounced on models that do not feature the two-toned paint scheme (which sported a grey lower break).
The upscale TSi models featured leather-trimmed seats, steering wheels, shift knobs and door inserts. Passenger comfort items include rear seat vents, center rear armrest, 8-way power driver and passenger seats, as well as personal reading lamps. Driving performance with the standard 3.5 L V6 engine on the TSi versions provides plenty of snap off the line, and highway passing power is excellent, while acceleration with the 3.3-liter engine is adequate but somewhat sluggish.[1]
[edit] Trim levels
- ESi - 1993-1997
- TSi - 1993-1997
[edit] Prices
The Vision was generally the middle offering of the original three LH cars, with the ESi starting between a base Intrepid and a base Concorde (usually just under the Concorde's by a few hundred dollars). However the TSi's base price was always more than a base Concorde. The other LH cars, the New Yorker and LHS, always started much higher than the Vision. The original MSRP base prices in United States dollars for the years were:
- 1993: ESi - $17,687 & TSi - $21,404
- 1994: ESi - $19,747 & TSi - $23,212
- 1995: ESi - $19,697 & TSi - $22,971
- 1996: ESi - $19,245 & TSi - $23,835
- 1997: ESi - $20,305 & TSi - $24,485
[edit] Performance
The Eagle Vision ESi came equipped with a 3.3 liter V6 engine initially producing 150 bhp (112 kW) and rising to 162 bhp (121 kW) in the 1994-1995 models. For 1996, it lost 4 hp (3 kW), but gained 9 ft·lbf of torque. The TSi model came equipped with a SOHC 24-valve 3.5 L V6 engine producing 214 bhp (160 kW). Both had a 4-speed automatic transmission standard with no option of a manual transmission.
The more performance-oriented TSi's factory tires by default were hard-riding sport tires. Many[who?]complained of a harsh ride on these, but when replaced with all-season-variety, the comfort and quietness of the ride rose.
[edit] Engines
- 3.3L V6 - Horsepower and Torque: 150 bhp (112 kW) & 180 lb·ft (244 N·m) (1993), 162 bhp (121 kW) & 194 lb·ft (263 N·m) (1994-1995) and, 158 bhp (118 kW) & 203 lb·ft (275 N·m) (1996-1997)
- 3.5L V6 - 214 bhp (160 kW) & 221 lb·ft (300 N·m)
The 3.3 liter engine was engineered to run on 87 octane fuel, while the 3.5 requires the premium grade 89 octane.
[edit] Year-to-year changes
- 1994: Variable-assist power steering was available, providing more feel at higher speeds. Both models now wore the same lower-body cladding, minimizing the evident differences between the ESi and TSi. The 3.3 L engine's power output was increased by 8 hp, while the 4-speed automatic transmission was revised for smoother shifting.
- 1995: New standard features included heated power exterior rear-view mirrors, power windows, and an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player. The 3.5-liter engine became available as an upgrade option for the ESi trim level.
- 1996: A new Autostick transmission was available for the TSi. It could be shifted by tilting the shifter right and left to change gears up or down.
- 1997: Only minor changes were made to the 1997 Vision. After this year the Vision was discontinued.
[edit] End of a Vision
The Vision sold in reasonable numbers (around 105,000 units, from 1993-1997) and Chrysler was planning to continue it for the redesign of the LH cars for 1998. Some prototypes featured the Eagle logo, and Vision production continued into September 1997 to provide dealers with an adequate amount of '97 models, until the introduction redesigned '98 Vision. Instead however, Chrysler made the decision to terminate production of the Vision and Talon (Eagle's only other model by then), therefore dissolving the whole Eagle brand in 1998. The car that was planned to be the redesigned Vision, became the Chrysler 300M, and it was released a year after the other redesigned LH cars in 1999.
[edit] References
- Inline
- General
- http://www.LHForums.net vBulletin community dedicated to the LH platform cars.
- "1993-1997 Eagle Vision" Consumer Guide Automotive, retrieved on December 26, 2007.
- 1995 Eagle Vision Review: Sass and soul in a supreme sedan, retrieved on December 26, 2007.
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | |||||||||
| 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| Subcompact | Summit | ||||||||||
| Vista | |||||||||||
| Compact | 2000GTX | ||||||||||
| Medallion | |||||||||||
| Full-size | Premier | Vision | |||||||||
| Sports car | Talon | ||||||||||
| Crossover | Eagle wagon | Eagle Vista wagon | Eagle Summit Wagon | ||||||||
