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Autoblog made a claim that I have never heard of before:
"The radical-looking and big-selling Chrysler LH cars were built on a modified Eagle Premier chassis, enabling Chrysler to print money from a 1980s Renault design all the way through 2004. After that, Mercedes-Benz engineering (with a dash of Mitsubishi thrown in for good measure) got stirred into the mix, but I'm told by a Chrysler engineer that you can still see the Renault 25 structure beneath the dashboard in modern Challengers and Chargers."
Is this true? I hear the 1990's Mercedes x LX claims all the time, but this is the first I've heard that modern Chargers and Challengers share structure with the 1980's Renault 25/Eagle Premier. 🙃

Junkyard Gem: 1991 Dodge Monaco

A 1991 Dodge Monaco, a badge-engineered version of the Renault 25-based Eagle Premier, found in a junkyard in Denver, Colorado.

www.autoblog.com

Interestng. Well, the first part of that is definitely true... that the Renault 25 became the basis for the LH cars via the Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco. And apparently, the LH platform WAS designed to be easily upgraded to rear or AWD, so it certainly sounds plausible that the Charger's LX platform is based on the LH.

Chrysler LX platform - Wikipedia

What could have been: Chrysler originally intended the LH platform... | Hemmings

 

Interestng. Well, the first part of that is definitely true... that the Renault 25 became the basis for the LH cars via the Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco. And apparently, the LH platform WAS designed to be easily upgraded tor rear or AWD, so it certainly sounds plausible that the Charger's LX platform is based on the LH.

Chrysler LX platform - Wikipedia

What could have been: Chrysler originally intended the LH platform... | Hemmings

Certainly there is design inspiration, but it isn't like Fiat showing that Fiat C-Evo 2010 Giulietta shared 30% of the structure with the 2001 Fiat Stilo. I highly doubt there are any large structures interchangeable, while some parts may very well look like scaled up versions of what was in the Renault. Remember the '88 cars were only 70" wide on a 106" wheelbase. LH was significantly larger, and LX significantly larger than LH.

 

I'd be interested to hear from someone that has worked at Brampton this whole time.

Honestly, considering what we've all heard, it wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

I'd like to know who the Chrysler engineer in the source is. If they (Eagle Premier and Charger/Challenger) share structural components, then Chrysler more than got their money's worth out of the Renault 25 architecture.

 

The Premier/Monaco was our BB-body. They were quirky, but inspirational, well-built cars. They used a ZF transaxle behind a PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V6 in a longitudinal setting.

Our domestic 41TE had a PTU hung on it to become a 41AE for the AWD minivans. I'm sure that Chrysler engineering also hung a PTU on the back of a 42LE to make a 42AE.

There would be room for a propeller shaft down the middle next to the exhaust and a saddle-style fuel tank for shaft clearance to a rear differential and half-shafts.

 

They share similar design ideas and layouts, but I'm sure that the LH/LX share no hardware with the BB of 35 years ago.

 

Pretty funny that folks can’t tell B.S. when they see it anymore. 😂😂😂

 

They're probably taking it from Allpar.

I agree that AFAIK they don't share parts but they share similar designs. But y'know Jeep’s old Link/Coil is sorta under Ram pickups, too... basic designs last a long time.

I was just curious to validity of the article. Maybe Autoblog's "Chrysler engineer" source really doesn't know what they are talking about, and had nothing to do with designing the LH and or LX cars. Wordage means a lot, though...there is a difference between similar design and structure.
Structure implies that the component in question hasn't been modified since it's creation, that is what the article is implying...that you take apart a late 1980's Eagle Premier and a current Dodge Charger that you'll find the same structure underneath.

 

Chrysler sure got their money's worth out of the AMC acquisition. Besides Jeep and the LH platform, the Bramalea plant (which Chrysler later renamed Brampton Assembly) that AMC built for Premier production was nearly new then. Chrysler built the LH cars there and the plant is still producing Chargers and Challengers.

 

Can’t most modern Fords still be linked to the Model-T? Four wheels, steering wheel, front engine, etc….

 

I've heard a lot of stories on the origin of the LX, but this isn't one of them. As I recall, and my memory might not be correct. After the LH cars came out, Chrysler was thinking about doing a stretched LH for an Imperial. It was called LX, and it was to be RWD. Maybe this is what they are referring to.

 

This is a story perpetuated by The Truth About Cars. I explained to the author (Corey Lewis) that he was slightly mislead, but instead of discussing this with me to get the facts, he instead publicly belittled me on his Twitter page and pointed to an AllPar story, written by Bob Sheaves, I think, that he misconstrued.
I've learned, since then, why I have not read anything from that site in a very long time. I've also learned that Corey Lewis is a shoddy writer, who would uses his assumptions as fact, rather than get his information from sources who were actually involved in the projects.

 

Yes to R25 being the basis for the Premier. Early LH prototypes were cobbled together Premier mules, and Premier was the starting point for LH design. As far as stampings / structure shared between BB/LH, I don't think so, but not positive. I do know there are a few interchangeable parts between the two. Some brake pads, etc.

 

The LH also borrowed a lot of ideas from the Lamborghini Portofino concept. It was the birth of cab-forward.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_Portofino

 

Which was originally to be a Chrysler Navajo. Kind of like the 1988 Dodge Intrepid turning into the 1991 Dodge Stealth.

 

Ah, I miss my old twin turbo Stealth. That was one stable car at 100+ mph. Made it from my house to Vegas in 3 hours 45 minutes one night back when the typical drive time was 5 hours (before they built the bridge that bypasses Hoover Dam). Had it up to 157 mph once.

 

My dad did that with us in the car back in 1971 in the Dodge Dart, back when 100 mph in Nevada was legal, before the days of 55.