1998 Chrysler Concorde World-class looks shrouding a world-class sedan. By Paul A. Eisenstein, New Car Test Drive .com

With their cab-forward styling, Chrysler's LH cars have earned the automaker a reputation for cutting-edge design. LH is an industry insider term referring to a trio of midsize sedans that made their debut in 1992, a time when Chrysler was just beginning one of the most striking turnarounds in automotive history. And these mid-size sedans played a major role in that turnaround.

Now, five years later, Chrysler has completely redesigned its two most popular LH cars, the Chrysler Concorde and the Dodge Intrepid. The third model in the original line-up, the Eagle Vision, is vanishing from the fold as the entire Eagle division is shut down.

The Chrysler Concorde is visually the most striking and, like the 1992 original, the updated Concorde uses cab-forward design to maximum advantage. It noses into view with a grille reminiscent of old Aston Martins and Ferraris. The sloping cowl sweeps into a steeply raked windshield. The visual impression is one of kinetic motion.

The '98 Concorde has plenty to live up to, but also some things to live down. There were early quality problems with the original Concorde. And the first cars were not as refined as they could have been in terms of noise, vibration and harshness, or NVH. So a critical question, as we went to test one of the first of the '98 models was just how much of an improvement we would see under that beautiful skin.