The Chrysler Concorde remains a head-turner even though the design is now middle-aged by automotive standards. The big egg-crate grille, boldly three-dimensional headlamp clusters and fluted hood all testify to Chrysler's design courage. The Concorde pays tribute to the past while reaching into the future. Graceful, fluid lines recall the craftsmanship of classic automobiles, yet it looks sleek compared with other four-door sedans in its class.The most noticeable design element is the grille, edged in chrome and adorned with a big winged Chrysler medallion. The front fascia was engineered to meet federal impact requirements without the need for a visible bumper. Sculptured headlamp bezels surround compact projector-beam lights with integrated fog lamps and turn signals. The shape they describe flows seamlessly into the undulating aluminum hood. In general, the body wears very little ornamentation, but there is great nuance to the sheet metal, which rolls and undulates like abstract art. Viewed from the side, the aerodynamic lower sill complements the large wheels and tires and visually ties the unique front and rear fascias together. Another winged medallion adorns the deck lid. The model nameplates are centered on the rear fascia. Wrap-around taillamps use a red/amber split to delineate the stop and turn functions. Stainless steel exhaust tips suggest the added power and performance of the Limited model's high-output engine. Last year, Chrysler merged the Concorde model with the LHS, which had been Chrysler's luxury flagship. This was relatively easy to do, as the two cars shared a body shell and most mechanical components. What had been the LHS became the Concorde Limited. At the same time, all Concorde models adapted the square, egg-crate front grille that had been exclusive to the LHS.
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