1994 Plymouth Expresso Concept

Story Cars
May 14
2 min read

The 1994 Plymouth Expresso Concept was a bold and whimsical attempt by a struggling American brand to reinvent itself during a turbulent time for the domestic auto industry. Debuting at the 1994 Chicago Auto Show, the Expresso stunned crowds with its banana yellow paint, playful proportions, and unconventional design language that made it look more like a full-sized toy than a production-ready vehicle.

A whimsical glimpse into 1990s concept car experimentation, the 1994 Plymouth Expresso blended playful design with forward-thinking tech—offering a colorful, compact vision that foreshadowed the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Built on a heavily modified version of the Plymouth Neon platform, the Expresso was two feet shorter and fifteen inches taller than the standard Neon, creating a high-roofed, compact silhouette with a bubble-like greenhouse. It featured distinctive cartoonish elements like oversized hubcaps, rounded mirrors, and stylized windows—choices that made it instantly memorable but arguably too quirky for mainstream appeal.

Despite its outlandish exterior, the Expresso’s interior was surprisingly forward-thinking. It was outfitted with features that anticipated future trends, such as a navigation system and an in-car entertainment console with video games. Storage was a highlight too, with numerous compartments and boxes thoughtfully integrated throughout the cabin. Yet, the overall space was limited, and its awkward proportions led to compromises in passenger comfort and cargo capacity.

Under the hood, the Expresso packed a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 132 horsepower, sending power to the front wheels—essentially standard Neon hardware housed in a very unorthodox shell.

Although it never made it to production, the Expresso's spirit lived on. The name resurfaced as a trim level on the Plymouth Neon, Voyager, and Breeze from 1997 to 1999. More significantly, the design philosophy it represented—a blend of retro cues, exaggerated styling, and lifestyle-oriented functionality—can be seen as a precursor to the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which achieved far greater commercial success later in the decade.

Ultimately, the Plymouth Expresso Concept remains a striking example of 1990s design experimentation: daring, imaginative, and a little bit desperate. It marked both a creative peak and a sign of decline for a brand that would disappear entirely by 2001.

Specification	Details
Year Introduced	1994
Manufacturer	Plymouth (Chrysler Corporation)
Vehicle Type	Compact Concept Car
Platform	Shortened Plymouth Neon platform
Engine	2.0L 4-cylinder (Neon engine)
Horsepower	132 hp
Drivetrain	Front-wheel drive
Dimensions	2 ft shorter, 15 in taller than production Neon
Exterior Color	Bright "Banana Yellow"
Design Theme	Toy-like, cartoonish proportions
Key Features	Bubble windows, tall greenhouse, playful styling
Interior Tech	Navigation, video game system, multiple storage bins
Production Status	Concept only, never reached production
Legacy	Influenced Chrysler PT Cruiser design