The Rounded 1988 Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid

One of the pendulum swings in automobile styling is from angular to rounded.  Some of this had to do with fashions that were exciting when new, but replaced by something contrary when potential purchasers became bored with the style.

In recent decades, government-dictated fuel economy standards forced carmakers to resort to wind-tunnel testing of body shapes to lessen wind resistance that motors would have to overcome.  The stylistic result was car designs that tended to be more rounded than angular.

Apparently there is at least a little wiggle room regarding the required amount of roundedness.   In this post dealing with Chrysler's angular-rounded pendulum swings, the final design mentioned was the 2005 Chrylser 300C that looked pretty anglar even though its shape was probably tested.

The present post deals with the body design that preceded the 300C -- that of the 1998-2004 second-generation Chrysler Condorde and Dodge Intrepid.  Their bodies were quite rounded.

Images below are either factory-sourced or are of for-sale cars.

Gallery

1998 Chrysler Concorde
Both first- and second-generation LH Platform cars were "cab forward" designs where the leading edge of the passenger compartment was closer than usual to the front end.

1998 Dodge Intrepid
The result was a somewhat wedged shape due to the trunk being higher than the hood.

1993 Chrysler Concorde
Now for comparison with the first-generation LH design.  The earlier passenger compartment greenhouse stands taller, the hood is higher and the trunk seems lower.

1993 Dodge Intrepid
The Intrepid got a different front end, plus a higher side rub strip.

1993 Dodge Intrepid
Side view.  Compare to the 1998 model below.

1998 Dodge Intrepid
Not quite a pure side profile, but it makes clear the differences.  To me, the '98 is a cleaner, better-integrated design.  But a little too soft for my taste: I'd prefer some visual tension here and there.

1998 Chrysler Concorde
The front end seems fish-like.  This is in keeping with the rounded theme, but the overall effect seems too soft.

1998 Chrysler Concorde
The rear also seems soft.  Aligning the tail light housing with a downward-extended trunk lid cut line would have provided some relief from the softness.

1998 Dodge Intrepid
The grille is a stylized variation of the traditional Dodge gunsight design.  And not as "fishy" as the Chrysler's.

1998 Dodge Intrepid
Crisp sculpting at the rear provides some welcome visual stiffening not seen in the side view..