This is an installment in a series of posts looking back on show cars that we feel deserved a little more attention than they got. If you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Concept topic, please shoot us a line or leave a comment below.
Plymouth Voyager III
First Shown: 1990 Chicago Auto Show
Description: Two-in-one economy car and minivan
Sales Pitch: “Challenges conventional automotive design, and addresses future transportation issues.”
Details:
First seen at the 1990 Chicago Auto Show, the Voyager III was something out of Saturday-morning cartoon, where it likely should have stayed. The Two-piece people mover featured a detachable front module that was powered by a 3-cylinder engine, potentially powered by propane, and seating for three passengers. The forward section was designed to be efficient and easy to maneuver when operating independently.
When backed into—and mated to—the passenger module, the Voyager III Concept featured seating for up to 11 passengers (3+8). The rear module was equipped with a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, that, when operating in tandem with the front module’s engine produced 250 horsepower. The rear engine could be engaged and disengaged as power demands warranted, improving fuel economy when cruising or lightly loaded.
When connected to the rear module, the front module’s rear wheels retracted up into the vehicle to reduce drag and improve maneuverability.
Per Plymouth, the fully assembled Voyager III was just 8.5 inches longer than a production Plymouth Grand Voyager. Sadly, interior images of the Voyager III are difficult to come by.
Forgotten Concept: Dodge Kahuna
CG Says:
If you’ve never wondered why you can’t connect your cars together, the Plymouth Voyager III may not make sense to you. That’s okay, because it doesn’t make any sense to me, either. Per legendary auto executive Bob Lutz, then with the Chrysler Corporation, the Voyager III would have cost far too much to bring to market, so it’s chances of seeing production were slim.
Truth is, novel as the idea was, it didn’t make any more sense than simply owning an affordable commuter car and a minivan, and NOT mating them together. Consider this: The Voyager III, for all of its complexity and potential cost, was just a single car—the back half would not function independently of the front. So, the Voyager III was like paying for two cars, and only owning one.
Also…propane, really? Imagine the hassle of hauling both pieces of your mega-minivan down to the local propane dispensary for individual fills. Fun as it is to look at, the Voyager III Concept addressed no actually transportation issues in any convenient or reasonable fashion.
Forgotten Concept: Mercury Marauder Convertible
Plymouth Voyager III Concept Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
Plymouth Voyager III Concept
