Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE
SEPARATING A car’s im-
age from its essence is not
always easy.

Chrysler portrays the Concorde
as a luxury car, the Intrepid as a
family car and the Eagle Vision as
a performance sedan.

All three cars, however, are
based on the same LH platform,
and are built on the same
Bramalea, Ontario assembly line.
They have the same basic dimen-
sions, powertrain options, suspen-
sions, and interiors.

No nievier. The LH cars fit all
three definitions quite well.

They are in fact a significant
step forward in the design of the
large family car. They're also
-good value for the money.

The Concorde — available in
one well-equipped trim level —
has the highest base price of the
three. It is the only LH sedan to
offer interior woodgrain trim on
the dash and doors, standard
four-wheel disc brakes with ABS,
and standard air conditioning.

The Concorde is available with
Road or Touring suspensions,
rather than the stiffer Perfor-
mance suspension.

Notable standard features on
the Concorde include dual air-
bags, power-assisted steering,
four-speed automatic transmission
(a manual transmission is not
available), fully independent
suspension, tachometer, tilt steer-
ing wheel, AM/FM radio,
power-heated outside mirrors, and
console/armrest, with storage bin
and cupholders.

I was disappointed to note that
power windows, power door
locks, and a cassette player are
not standard equipment. In addi-
tion, an anti-theft alarm is not

STANDARD FEA

power-assisted steering, tachometer, tilt steering wheel, and

AN/FM radio.

PIII

Friday, Jun

atecg

Photos submitted

THE CONCORDE’S standard powertrain is Chrystler’s traditional 3.3-litre pushrod V6 engine with 153 horsepower mated to an elec-
tronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

available. After all, this is a lux-
ury sedan.

Luxury options such as leather
upholstery, power front seats,
keyless entry, sophisticated stereo
systems, and 16-inch cast alumi-
num wheels are available. One
unique option is an integrated rear
child seat — which replaces the
rear centre armrest — witha
five-point belt system.

Low-speed traction-control is
an option worth having. It helps
improve traction on gravel or
other slippery surfaces when ac-
celerating at speeds of up to 40
km/h (25 mph).

A dash-mounted button gives
the driver the option of turning
off the traction control in condi-
tions where iraction is so poor
that the driving wheels simply
won't turn.

The Concorde’s standard

44 The steering is precise and

responsive, cornering is flat,

visibility is excellent. $F

powertrain is Chrysler’s tradi-
tional 3.3-litre pushrod V6 engine
with 153 horsepower mated to an
electronically controlled four-
speed automatic transmission.

This base engine is entirely ade-
quate for daily urban and highway
use, and the smooth-changing
automatic transmission is super.

Of course, the optional 24-
valve, overhead cam 3.5-litre V6
offers more punch (214 horse-
power, 22] ft.-Ibs. torque) and
greater flexibility — particularly
during high-speed passing.

But you really don’t need to
spend extra money on this engine
for everyday driving needs.

One of the Concorde’s
highlights is how well it drives.
The steering is precise and respon-
sive, cornering is flat, visibility is
excellent, and the ride is very
pleasant.

Apart from some wind noise al
highway speeds, the Concorde is

an easy, comfortable, manageable
car to drive, despite its size.

Speaking of size, the interior is
extremely spacious, particularly
the rear seat area. Rear passengers
can actually stretch their legs with
the front seats forward. Door
openings are wide, and getting in
and out is easy.

The tastefully applied
woodgrain trim adds a touch of
class,

One complaint: the rear seat
doesn't fold down and there's no
trunk-thru. The trunk itself is
very big, has a flat floor, and a
low loading height.

Even loaded with options, the
Concorde offers good value, par-
ticularly when compared with im-
ported cars. The Concorde will
even stand up against luxury
sedans that cost twice as much.

les a home run for Chrysler, |

Price as tested $25,025
Base price $20,525
Type four-door,
passenger sedan
Layout longitudinal
engine/front-wheel drive
Engine 3.5-litre V6, OHC, 24
valves, sequential multi-port
fuel injection
Horsepower 214 @ 5,800 rpm
Torque 221 ft.-lbs. @ 2,800
rpm
me weight 1,474 kg/3,250
S.
Wheelbase 2,870 mm/113.0
in,
Length 5,120 mm/201.6 in.
Width 1,890 mm/74.4 in.
Height 1,425 mm/56.2 in.
Trunk capacity 473 litres/16.7
cu. ft,
Fuel consumption City 12.9
L/100 km (22 mpg); Hwy 8.2
L/t00 km (34 mpg)
Warranty Basic one year/
20,000 km plus seven years/
115,000 km powertrain: or
Basic three years/60,000 km

Inquire about the Chrysler
Concorde at Jubitee Chrysler,
1177 Marine Dr., North Van-
couver, 980-8506.

five-

front

__ Sea lz!

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