U.S. Design Reinvigorated
In the 1970s and 80s, other than a few notable exceptions, North American car design seemed to lag behind Europe. U.S. car manufacturers were mildly updating their over-large, slab-like sedans, while smaller Japanese cars picked away at U.S. market share. Finally, in the 1990s U.S. designers found new life with retro-inspired models and striking pickup trucks that everyone in the United States seemed to want.
Buick Park Avenue, 1990
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,791 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 108 mph (174 km/h) |
This big sedan, made until 1996, was the last Buick officially sold in Europe. U.S. buyers had the option of a supercharged version capable of close to 130mph (209 km/h).
Cadillac Eldorado, 1991
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 4,893 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
This last incarnation of the longest-running U.S. personal luxury car model ended in 2002-despite modern styling, large, space-wasting cars had gone out of style.
Saturn SL, 1990
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 1,901 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
GM founded the Saturn brand in 1985 to counter Japanese imports. The stylish, aerodynamic S-Series was among the most fuel-efficient cars then sold in the United States.
Dodge Neon, 1994
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 1,996 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
The Neon marked a move by Chrysler to sell worldwide, even in Japan and UK, in right-hand-drive form. It was a compact front-wheel-drive sedan with a 2-liter engine.
Oldsmobile Aurora, 1994
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,995 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
GM revitalized the Oldsmobile brand with this striking new low-drag sports sedan. Well built, fast, and immensely strong, the Aurora’s downfall was its high price.
Dodge Intrepid, 1993
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,301 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Closely related to the Chrysler New Yorker, the Dodge had more success; it was built until 1997 and was followed by a second generation. Engines were 3.3 or 3.5 liter
Dodge Ram 1500, 1994
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,211 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 105 mph (169 km/h) |
Styled to look like a trailer truck, the Ram was unsubtle, with engines from a 3.9-liter V6 to a Viper’s 8-liter V10. It was what the U.S. market wanted, and sold rapidly.
Plymouth Prowler, 1997
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,528 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
A brave and truly American concept, the Prowler was based on a design by Chip Foose and boasted 5.9-second 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration to match its exterior.
Ford Mustang GT, 1994
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 4,942 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 136 mph (219 km/h) |
This successful restyle by Patrick Schiavone retained hints of the original Mustang, and also saw the return of a convertible to the Mustang range. Engines were 3.8-liter V6, or V8 like this model.
Ford Windstar, 1994
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,797 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 116 mph (187 km/h) |
Ford’s first front-wheel-drive, seven-seat MPV beat rivals with its smoother performance and handling. It guaranteed Ford a big slice of the U.S. minivan market.
Chevrolet Camaro, 1993
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,733 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
The fourth-generation Camaro was built in Canada with V6 or V8 power, and an optional six-speed transmission on the V8. It was good value against Ford’s Mustang.
Ford Taurus, 1996
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 2,967 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
Jack Telnack’s dramatic 1996 restyle of the Taurus did not prove popular, and it lost its place as the best-selling U.S. car after the first year, despite its user-friendly interior.
Mercury Villager, 1993
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 2,960 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
A joint project with Nissan, which sold it as the Quest, this car could seat seven-with a removable two-seat bench in the middle and a sliding/folding bench for three at the back.
Mercury/Ford Cougar, 1999
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 2,540 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
Ford’s second attempt (after the Probe) to repeat the success of its 1970s Capri was too large for most customers in the rest of the world.
General Motors EV1, 1996
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | electric motor |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
GM’s purpose-built electric two-seater had a 55-150 mile (90-240 km) range; just 1,117 were leased to owners, so GM recalled and crushed them in 2002, due to a lack of consumer interest.
Chrysler New Yorker, 1993
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 3,494 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 134 mph (216 km/h) |
This final version of Chrysler’s flagship model had just a three-year life, during which sales tailed off dramatically despite its high specifications and large, airy cabin.
Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1999
| Origin | USA/Mexico |
| Engine | 2,429 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
Retro-styled and with a resemblance to the Chrysler Airflow, this car sold 1.35 million worldwide in 11 years. The new millennium brought convertible and turbocharged options.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
