Renault Medallion
| Eagle Medallion | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Eagle |
| Also called | Renault Medallion |
| Production | 1987 - 1989 |
| Assembly | France: Maubeuge (Maubeuge Construction Automobile) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Related | Renault 21 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.2 L Douvrin I4 |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length | sedan: 182.2 in (4,628 mm) wagon: 190 in (4,826 mm) |
| Width | 67.5 in (1,714 mm) |
| Height | sedan: 55.7 in (1,415 mm) |
| Curb weight |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | |
| Successor |
Eagle/Dodge 2000GTX (Canada) Chrysler LeBaron (U.S.) Plymouth Acclaim (U.S.) |
The Eagle Medallion, also marketed as the Renault Medallion, was a rebadged and mildly re-engineered North American version of the French Renault 21 marketed by Eagle.
The front-engine, front-wheel drive, four-door mid-size Medallions were imported from France, sharing their platform as the Renault 21. Concurrently with the North American introduction of the Medallion, Renault sold its American business to Chrysler.
The Medallion was developed by Renault and became a captive import for its corporate partner, American Motors (AMC), at the beginning of the 1987 model year. The Medallion replaced the slow-selling Renault 18i/Sportwagon and the venerable AMC Concord that was canceled after the 1983 model year.
The Medallion was an Americanized version of the Renault 21, "a highly successful car in the European market." The Medallion was the second of a three-passenger car line marketing effort to help AMC/Jeep/Renault dealers expand the product mix beyond the four-wheel-drive Jeep utility vehicles and the its established subcompact Renault Alliance. The Medallion sedans and station wagons introduced in late-1986 were followed by the mid-1987 unveiling of the all-new full-sized Premier sedan.
Badged as the Renault Medallion at its launch in the fall of 1986, it remained that way until Chrysler acquired American Motors in August 1987. It then became a captive import for Chrysler. It was part of "Eagle", Chrysler's first new brand created since 1929. The cars were marketed as the "Eagle Medallion" through the newly formed Jeep-Eagle division. As a distinct Chrysler subsidiary, the nearly 1,200 AMC-Jeep-Renault dealer organization would initially remain independent. As part of the buyout, Chrysler would continue AMC's program for U.S. distribution of the new Renault Medallion for five years, but not to sell a specific number of the French imports.
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Wikipedia