Chrysler showcased this enhanced version of the then-fresh Eagle Vision at the 1994 Chicago Auto Show, amidst what seems like bubble wrap. The Eagle Vision Aerie Concept benefited from a pokier development of the 3.5-litre V6 under the hood: the regular, consumer-issue unit had 214 horsepower, but the one in the Aerie was said to produce as much as 274 horses. As well as the improved engine, the Aerie had fancy phone and fax capabilities with an automated emergency call system.
In any case, the Vision was short-lived in Eagle guise, even if the capable FWD platform ended up birthing the even-more-swoopy Chrysler 300M. The Vision nameplate died without siring a son, and there were no latter-day Talons to accompany Mitsubishi Eclipse sales. But looking at the concept’s front end treatment, there’s something unanswered deep inside that can only be brought to the light of day via PhotoShop.
Ta-dah! The Aerie’s bumper with those handsome new air intakes is just asking to be accompanied with the Alfa Romeo family crest – especially as you follow the lines of the hood. If the Alfa Romeo 164 wasn’t a clear-cut success on the North American market, it makes almost complete sense to rebadge a similarly front-wheel-drive, V6-engined large saloon to secure some sales. The Alfa Romeo Aerie would even sound good as a nameplate.
With bespoke Italian leather featuring some reassuring Alfa Romeo emblems on the headrests, and perhaps adding a Momo-sourced steering wheel, you wouldn’t be far off. The Quadrifoglio Beige?
Looking at the recently unveiled Giulia, the front ends’ air intakes parallel each other. It’s almost a shame there are no sun-baked, Alfa-fied Visions to be found on Craigslist for LeMons money. Why was Fiat Chrysler born too late?
[Photos: Chrysler, Alfa Romeo / Photo manipulation by me]
Visionary: 1994 Eagle Vision Aerie Concept in an alternative timeline
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9 responses to “Visionary: 1994 Eagle Vision Aerie Concept in an alternative timeline”
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DAMMIT ANTTI I HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT TRAVESTY TWICE NOW?
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Destroy the blasphemer!
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It all adds up! Wake up people, Eagle predicted the future of FCA!
First the Eagle Jazz and Lancia Delta thing I pointed out in the last Eagle-related post two days ago and now this. What’s next? Will the new Fiat 124 Spider be a reincarnation of the Talon? Will the AMC Eagle return in shape of the long rumored Alfa-SUV? Only time will tell, but we won’t take any chances! Let’s gather on top of the Lingotto on the 1/9 next year at precisely 17:50 to await the rapture.
or maybe I should just go to bed now -
With the last Alfa sold in North America (prior to the current crop) being the Fiat/Lancia/Saab-related 164, it sort of makes sense for a Mopar sort of related to a hastily rebadged Renault to end up as another Alfa, although the LH’s weren’t quite so fizzy. There is (surprisingly) one cheap Vision in my local classifieds right now, finding a cheap Alfa V6 (and figuring out how to make it work with the longitudinal FWD layout) might be trickier.
Also, I’m getting a whole bunch of Olds Intrigue off that Vision concept. -
Weird…
I can’t unsee it now…
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..but, the headline is not a click bait at all, neither the opening picture! Is this journalism here, or what?
“Alfa recycling 1990ies Eagle design – FCA busted” and a picture of an Eagle crashing into an Alfa, that would be it!
I’m with 1977CT here, I can’t unsee it now, but my perception threshold for car news is “must be older than 15 years”…-
I’ve probably let hundreds of brilliant chances to bait clicks completely unused. Shows my attitude towards writing, I guess 🙂
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It’s probably because you have a soul.
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