The 1994 Plymouth Expresso Concept was Chrysler’s attempt to show off a playful, youth-oriented design direction for the Plymouth brand as it headed into its final years. It wasn’t a production car, but a futuristic concept vehicle that highlighted Chrysler’s interest in small, expressive, and practical vehicles. Very round, whimsical design with exaggerated curves and “toy-like” proportions. Compact hatchback/crossover-style body with upright stance and short overhangs. Bright colors and unusual interior trim materials (including playful shapes and textures).
Inside, the Expresso used fun, youth-market details, like rounded dashboard pods, cupholder shapes, and patterned fabrics. It was intentionally styled to look more approachable and less serious than typical cars of the era. Based on a small-car platform (not production-ready). Focus was on styling and lifestyle, not performance. Positioned as a vision of a practical but fun city car for younger buyers.
- Name: Plymouth Expresso
- Year: 1994 (shown at auto shows through the mid-1990s)
- Type: Concept car / design study
- Designer: Chrysler Corporation (Plymouth division)
- Class: Compact urban runabout
The 1995 Plymouth Back Pack was one of Chrysler’s more unusual mid-1990s concept cars. Like the 1994 Plymouth Expresso, it was aimed at giving Plymouth a youthful, adventurous image, previewing the kinds of practical yet fun vehicles the brand might have offered if it had survived longer. Extremely compact “urban adventure” vehicle. Squared-off body with short overhangs and upright stance.
Most notable feature: a small pickup-style bed in back, but integrated into a compact SUV-like shape — almost a mini-SUV/mini-truck crossover. Bright colors and playful trim, following the design language of the earlier Expresso Concept. The Cabin focused on versatility and youth-oriented design — durable materials, unusual shapes, and “fun” styling touches. Likely based on a small-car platform (Chrysler’s A-platform roots, like the Neon). Front-wheel drive with small-displacement 4-cylinder engine (conceptual only, no full production-spec powertrain was intended). Aimed at buyers who wanted a backpack on wheels: compact, practical, and able to carry gear for sports or weekend trips.
- Name: Plymouth Back Pack
- Year: 1995 (concept vehicle)
- Type: Compact SUV/pickup crossover study
- Designer: Chrysler Corporation (Plymouth division)
- Class: Lifestyle utility vehicle
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