Eagle Premier

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Eagle Premier
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation (8/1987-12/1991)
Parent company	American Motors Corporation and Renault
Also called	Renault Premier
Production	140.000
Assembly	Brampton Assembly in Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Successor	Eagle Vision
Class	Full-size
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	B-body
Engine(s)	2.5 L AMC I4 3.0 L PRV V6
Transmission(s)	4-speed Audi AR-4 automatic 4-speed ZF 4HP18 automatic
Wheelbase	106.0 inches (2692 mm)
Length	192.8 inches (4897 mm)
Width	70 inches (1778 mm)
Height	53.3 inches (1354 mm)
Curb weight	2,991–3,068 pounds (1356–1392 kg)
Related	Dodge Monaco Renault Premier Eagle Medallion/Renault Medallion Renault 21 Renault 25
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro Richard A. Teague

The Eagle Premier was an automobile developed by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) and Renault partnership. The model was inherited by Chrysler Corporation when it acquired AMC in 1987. It was sold from the 1988 through 1992 model years. It was also sold as the Dodge Monaco from 1990 to 1992.

[edit] Design

The Premier was a full-size four-door sedan styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car mechanical design was simply a reconverted top-of-the-range Renault 25 that was very successful in France and its motor derived from the famous PRV V6 engine (joint venture between Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo). It was the first large car fielded by AMC since 1978, a position that was traditionally occupied by the Nash and AMC Ambassador models since the 1930s. It was marketed as a sporty refined sedan in the style of an Acura Legend or Audi 5000. It also featured the spaciousness of American sedans and was the roomiest car in its class. Although it used the drivetrain and the suspension components from the Renault 25, the body and floorpan structure were unique. In its time, the car was considered one of the sportiest sedans (road holding and drive precision) available on the American market, thanks to its French legacy. This car featured fully independent suspension on all the wheels for better ride quality and handling characteristics, as well as a very sophisticated rack and pinion steering design. The engineering levels achieved in the Premier are arguably the most refined in a sedan that was produced by AMC or Chrysler.

A proposed two-door version, named the Allure (not to be confused with the Buick Allure), was planned by AMC, but never produced.

The car was to be called the Renault Premier, before Chrysler acquired AMC, and early 1988 production left the factory with that badging. The vehicle identification number (VIN) for the entire 1988 model year production was also retained in AMC format.^[1] Moreover, the AMC logo was continued on many of the car's parts and components through 1992.

The models also carried a Design Giugiaro badge that was removed after the car's mid-term freshening. The Premier's interior was designed by AMC's in-house staff under the direction of Richard A. Teague.

The Premier was available in LX (equipped with a 2.5 L AMC I4 engine, offered until the end of the 1989 model year), ES, and Limited trims (3.0 L PRV V6). Very few LX models seem to have been built, mostly for fleet use. The heating controls used an unusual up-down button that cycled through the different heating modes indicated by column-mounted array of lights.

A new, highly advanced factory (called Bramalea Assembly) was built to manufacture the Premier at Bramalea, near an existing AMC plant at Brampton, Ontario. This state of the art plant was opened in 1986 and was one of AMC's assets that interested Chrysler. It was renamed Brampton Assembly after the buyout.

The introduction of the Dodge Monaco resulted from a contractual obligation to use 260,000 of the PRV (Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo joint venture) V6 engines over the five years as part of the AMC buyout from Renault. However, the Monaco sold poorly, and both it and the Premier were cancelled in 1992. Chrysler tried to aim the Premier against the Ford Taurus, as well as Acura and Volvo models, but the result was that it competed against corresponding Chrysler and Dodge models. Moreover, there was little marketing support for the Premier by the Jeep-Eagle dealers themselves because they were focused on selling the highly successful and more profitable Jeep models. Furthermore, the decision to eventually dual Jeep-Eagle with Chrysler-Plymouth dealers called for the long-term corporate goal of phasing out the Eagle brand. There were 139,051 Premiers and Monacos built at Bramalea. Reportedly, Chrysler paid a penalty for every V6 engine not purchased (120,949) from Renault.

These cars offered features that were considered quite advanced for their time. However, as a result, many vehicles have suffered from electrical problems, having proven to be one of the cars' bigger drawbacks over time. Despite this, they are still seen as being a car that was on the cutting edge of design and features.

[edit] Legacy

The Brampton Assembly plant was retooled for the production of the Chrysler LH-cars that debuted in autumn of 1992. The Premier inspired the LH platform’s design features. François Castaing, formerly AMC's Vice President of product engineering and development, became Chrysler's Vice President of vehicle engineering in 1988, and as a result, the Premier was the starting point for Chrysler's new LH sedans. The Eagle Vision would be its slightly larger direct replacement. Although the cab forward styling was quite different, the engines in the LH cars were mounted longitudinally, like the Premier, and unlike any other front-wheel drive car built by Chrysler. The LH platform's dedicated transmission, the A606, was also quite similar in design to the Audi electronically-controlled automatic featured in four-cylinder Premiers. The Premier's body shell was used for LH prototype 'development mules', under which the LH drivetrain was tested. Chrysler would change to a rear drive Mercedes platform after two generations.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• The Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco home page
• Eagle Premier - The Accidental Dodge at Allpar provides detailed information about the Premier.
• Derek Dorroh's tribute to the Eagle Premier

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