FCRIII RTRY CREE

Friday, January 8, 1993 ~ “North Shore News - 21

NEWS photo Paut McGrath

‘ONE OF three new Chrysier mid-c sized LH sedans, the Eagle Vision offers the biggest interior in ‘its class, standard driver and passenger’ ‘airbags, : and a:3.3- litre Ve-
engine and four-speed automatic transmission. Base price of the Vision ESi is $19,114.

Greg
Wilson

‘TEST DRIVE

«IN POINT ‘of fact, there’s
‘very little difference  be-
tween Chrysler’s new mid-
sized LH sedans, the Eagle
_ Vision, «Chrysler -
and Chrysler Concorde.
Bach offers the same basic
*, dimensions, interior room and
trunk space, and each offers the
same choice of engines, transmis-
sions, chassis, and suspensions
(with a few exceptions).

“The differences lie primarily in
the packaging. Subtle styling dif.
ferences and varying. levels of
‘standard equipment. are. designed

“to ‘enhance “cach! vehicle’s par-

“ticular “brand image.”’

Intrepid,

64 This is not your ur father’s Chrysler. It looks and
‘feels well- built, inside and out. 99

The Eagle Vision, for example,
is styled and equipped to appeal
io buyers who are more import-
oriented and interested in perfor-
mance.

Chrysler’ describes Vision shop-
pers as those ‘‘seeking a
sophisticated and expressive car
that’s international in character
and inspires driving confiderice.’”

Vision competitors include the
Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry
LE, and Lexus ES300, according
to Chrysler's product literature:

Thus, all Visions come equipped
with standard = four-wheel . disc
brakes, a choice of nimble, . in-
dependent Touring or Perfor-
mance suspensions (the softer
“*Road”’ suspension is not of-
fered), and available dual-
overhead cam 3.5-litre V6 engine,
ABS brakes and traction control.

The Vision's appearance, too, is
a little more “international” t

the other LH cars. The optional -
rear™

wheels and
resemble

16-inch — alloy
taillights, in’ particular,

those of certain import cars, ~
In terms of price, the Vision is,

positioned between the ‘“atford-
able” Intrepid and the ‘‘upscale’’
Concorde. ;

But no matter which LH sedan
you buy, you’ re getting a darn

: fine car.

As I've said before, this is not
your father’s Chrysler. It looks
and ‘feels well-built, inside and
out. ICs the roomiest car in its
class, by far.

The much-touted cab- forward
design allows: plenty of legroom
for front and rear passengers and
abundant hip and shoulder room
for three rear passengers.

The Vision’s performance, even
with the base 3.3-litre pushrod V6
engine and standard four-speed
automatic transmission, is exem-
plary for a family car.

Drop -in the, 214-horsepower
3.5-litre V6 with dual-overhead
camshafts and four valves per cyl-
inder,. and you have an engine
that will happily rev to 5800 rpm

when pressed.

Those who want even-more per-
formance can. order a handling
package . which © includes
performance. sadials, firmer steer-
ing and suspension, and a full-
sized spare tire. «

“Anti-lock brakes, ~ optionat “on

“the ESi and standard on the TSi,

offer’ improved | steering control

16-inch:

“opener.

during emergency braking situa- ‘
tions, while optional low-speed

traction coutrol (TSi only) uses,
the ABS system, and works ‘to

prevent the front driving wheels

from spinning on slippery sur-

faces.

Traction control can be turned
on and off manually using a but-
ton on the dash just behind the
steering wheel.

The Vision's spacious interior is
well designed for visibility and

‘reach. Headlights are operated by

a rotary dial on the left side of the
dash (integrated fog lamps on TSi)
and ‘the buttons for power win- ;
dows and power mirrors are well
positioned on the doors. ;

Instruments are the traditional
round type and a PRNDL in-
dicator on the dash indicates the
position of the -console-mounted
shift lever.

A. console with armrest, pull-
out’: dual cupholders, tape/CD |
storage and coin holder is stand-~
ard. equipment..The TSi has .an
overhead: console’ for storing
sunglasses and,.a_ garage door .

‘See Roomiest page 25

- passenger sedan .

” Warranty

Base price $24,475

Type. four- door, five-

Layout, longitudinal front
engine/front-wheel drive
Engine : 3.5-litre V6, SOHC
(2), 24 valves, multi- “port fuel
injection’ °

Horsepower 214 @ 5, 800 rpm
Torque 221 Ibs-ft. @ 2,800
rpm ; :
Transmission four-speed
automatic

Curb weight §,509 kg/3,327

“Ibs

Wheelbase 2,870. mm/113.0
in.

Length 5,120 mm/201. 6 in.
Width 1,890 mm/74.4 in,
Height 1,430 mm/56.2 in. .
Tires P225/60R16 all-season:

performance radials

. Trunk capacity 473 litres/16.7

cu. fit.

Fuel economy city 13.4 L/100

km, 22 mpg; hwy 8.3 L/100

km, 34 mpg

Gne-year/20,000

km plus... seven-year/ 115,000

km powertrain: OR bumper-

to- bumper" three- year/60, 000

km :

Inquire about the Eagle Vie :
sion at. Mountview Jeep —
Eagle, | 1600 Marine Dr.,'

North Van.

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