From Jalopnik · Stephen Achan · · 1m
Patient Zero Of Coupe SUVs
The lifted 4WD AMC Eagle SX4 was the first coupe SUV.
In brief
The lifted 4WD AMC Eagle SX4 was the first coupe SUV. The 1980 AMC Eagle SX4, with its 4.2L engine and 100hp, pioneered the modern coupe SUV design. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
The Eagle's Origin
The American Motors Corporation's Eagle debuted in 1980 as a niche vehicle designed by Roy Lunn.
Eagle's Design Philosophy
Built on the AMC Concord sedan platform, it featured a unibody chassis and lifted fender flares for 4wd.
Eagle's Market Position
The Eagle was marketed as a vehicle that could handle highway, sand, dirt, and snow with 32 mpg in some versions.
Eagle's Performance
The sport version, Eagle SX4, had a 4.2-liter inline-6 engine producing 100 horsepower and 0-60 mph in 15.6 seconds.
Eagle's Legacy
Chrysler bought AMC in 1987, canceled Eagle production in 1988, and the brand faded from memory.
Modern Relevance
The Eagle's design influenced today's unibody coupe SUVs like the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota C-HR.
In short
The 1980 AMC Eagle SX4, with its 4.2L engine and 100hp, pioneered the modern coupe SUV design.
