The Intrepid is a great example of Chrysler's cab-forward design, which it's now moving away from. The sloping cowl sweeps into a steeply raked windshield, over the curvaceous roof and down to a short deck lid. The shape is reminiscent of fastbacks of the past. There is great nuance to the sheet metal, which rolls and undulates like a work of art. Intrepid boasts an aggressive, integrated bumper/grille borrowed from the racy Dodge Viper; and sleek, wrap-around cats-eye headlight lenses that flow into the sweeping hood line.

While the Intrepid shares its chassis and drive train with Chrysler's Concorde and 300M, these cars do not share sheet metal. Where the slightly longer Concorde accentuates elegance, and the trim 300M oozes Continental sophistication, the Intrepid reflects the golden days of American muscle.