First Generation Dodge Intrepid
The first generation of LH cars debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as three 1993 models: the Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid (badged as a Chrysler in Canada), and the Eagle Vision (badged as a Chrysler in Europe).
The Intrepid was available in two trim levels: base and the sportier, better-equipped ES, which added four-wheel disc brakes, 16″ wheels 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 rated at (214 hp).
The Intrepid’s launch marked a new image for the Dodge brand, which began to market itself as “The New Dodge” with a marketing campaign featuring actor Edward Herrmann, who would go on to serve as the brand’s spokesperson for the rest of the decade.
Changes were few over the Intrepid’s initial five-year production. A new variable-assist power steering rack replaced the original for 1994, allowing for easier parking while maintaining a firmer feel at speed. The touring suspension tuning was also made standard equipment in the base model this year. Anti-lock brakes were made standard in the ES in 1995, and in 1996 a new manual shift function for the automatic transmission, called Autostick, was inherited from the Eagle Vision TSi: the first transmission of its kind available in a mainstream car. In addition, Chrysler updated the Dodge Intrepid for the 1995 model year, adding the previous Dodge Ram logo, one used from 1994-2009. Each exterior treatment uses a hoodline and chrome accented daytime running lights with body colored accents.
Intrepids were built at American Motors’ Brampton Assembly facility, originally established to manufacture the Eagle Premier, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada; and at the Chrysler plant at Newark, Delaware.
Model Year Changes
1993 Model Year: Base with 3.3 L engine had 153 hp and standard non-touring suspension. Brakes were front disc, rear drum. ES models, which added four-wheel disc brakes, 16″ wheels with better tires, and stiffer “touring” suspension damping. All Intrepid’s 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 rated at (214 hp).
1994 Model Year: A new variable-assist power steering rack replaced the original, allowing for easier parking while maintaining a firmer feel at speed. The touring suspension tuning was also made standard equipment in the base model this year
1995 Model Year: Anti-lock brakes were made standard for the ES models. Chrysler updated the Dodge Intrepid for the 1995 model year, adding the previous Dodge Ram logo.
1996 Model Year: A new manual shift function for the automatic transmission, called Autostick was introduced. It was inherited from the Eagle Vision TSi: the first transmission of its kind available in a mainstream car.
1997 Model Year: Remained virtually unchanged as a major redesign was in process for the second generation release in 1998.
