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THE NEW Plymouth/Dodge Neon replaces the Shadow and Sundance com

RISEREES

or, and fun-to-drive character. Base price Is $10,995.

TEST DRIVE

THE NEW Plymouth/Dodge
Neon is probably the most
important new Chrysler car
introduced in Canada since
the K-cars: the Dodge Aries
and Plymouth Reliant.

While Americans prefer bigger
ears fike the popular LH madels
(Intrepid, Concorde and Vision), we
overtaxed Canadians like compact
and subcompuet cars

The best-selling cars in Canada

st year were the Chevrolet
Cavalier and Honda Civic,
The compact Neon is a front-

wheel drive, four-door sedan which
replaces the aging Dodge Shadow
and Plymouth Sundance. Designed
and manufactured in the United
States, the Neon is the first all-new,
all-American compact car int years.

lis major appeal, as I see it, is
value-for-money.

In a nutshell, the Neon offers
cars in its class, including other
domestic models. Base models at
$12,665, and Sport models at
$14,545.

At the moment the Neon is
available as a four-door sedan only
but a two-door coupe wil! be com-
ing later this year.

A hatehback is not available,
though most Neons are available
with fold-down rear seats.

Unlike many economy cars, the
Neon’s exterior styling has charac-
ter. Lots of it,

The Neon has a sporty, well-pro-
portioned appearance with a wide
stance, a definitive hiptine, a large
“greenhouse”, cab-forward styling.
and those unique oval headsamps.

With the longest wheelbase in
the compact citr class (2.642 mm or
104 in.), the Neon has a surprising
amount of front and rear legroom.

The interior has a spacious feel-
ing with lots of window glass and a
modern, youttiful-looking layout.
Front headroom is generous while
rear headroom is adequate. The:
doors are wide for easy entry.

Shad one complaint with the
Neon’s frameless doors.

The door’s windows, which seal

against a rubber strip. appeared to
loosen at certain speeds creating
some wind noise.

The Neon’s standard 2.0-litre
132 horsepower overhead cam four-
cylinder engine, with four valves
per cylinder, is the most powerful
engine in the compact car class,

Acceleration is satisfyingly
quick (remember, this is an econo-
my car), and mid-range passing
power is also better than most small
cars. On the highway in fifth gear at
100 km/h (62 mph) the engine revs

‘at a comfortable 2.400 rpm and
engine noise is minimal.

The standard five-speed manual
transmission is well positioned for
grip and is easy to shift. While the
optional three-speed automatic
transmission is competent, a four-
speed would provide lower engine
speeds on the highway.

Handling and ride are exemplary
for a small car.

The Neon’s independent suspen-
sion, wide stance and fong wheel-
base contribute to its fun-to-drive
character. Steering feel is light yet
positive and direct.

Standard front dise/rear drum
brakes are adequate for this size of
car. Also standard are 13-inch radi-
als but top-of-the-line Neons have
wider 14-inch tires,

Fuel economy is good: 8.1 1/100
km in the city (35 mpg) and 5.7
1/100 on the highway (50 mpg).

Base Neon models start al just
$10,995, Standard equipment
includes the 2.0-litre overhead cam

four-cylinder engine, a five-speed,
manual transmission, dual airbags,
a roomy 11.8 cubic-foot truck and a
spacious five-passenger interior.

However, you'll have to pay
extra for power stecring, AM/FM
radio and intermittent wipers.
Power steering is only available as
part of a package which includes air
conditioning.

In addition, the base model has
rather unattractive black bumpers,
plain vinyl/cloth upholstery and
smaller {65/80R (3-inch tires. Even
Chrysler predicts less than 10% of
Neon buyers will choose the base
model. .

The Neon Highline, which has a
manufacturer's suggested price of
$12,665, is likely to be the most
popular model.

[offers most of the above fea-
tures as standard equipment as well
as a 60/40 split folding rear seat-
back, full cloth upholstery and more
sound insulation.

The top-of-the-line model, the
Neon Sport, is priced at $14,545. It
adds 14-inch wheels and tires,
tachometer, front foglights. power
door focks, power. mirrors, console
and armrest and better trim.
Surprisingly. a cassette player is
optional.

Anti-lock brakes are available as
an option on all models.

Other than the frameless doors
and the fact that the Neon doesn't
hve a locking fucl-door filler, |
found the Neon to bea fantastic lit-
Ue car for the money,

Photo submitted

pact cars. The Neon has the most powerfu! standard engine in its class, a roomy interi-

: First all-new, all-American compact car to be introduced in several ye

Price as tested $12,665

Base price $10,995

Type four-door, 5-passenger
compact sedan

Layout transverse
engine/front wheel drive
Engine 2.0-litre four-cylinder,
SOHC, 16 valves, sequential
multi-port fuel injection
Horsepower 132 @ 6,000
rpm .

Torque 129 ft-lbs @ 5,000
rpm

Transmission five-speed
manual (three-speed automat-
ic) .

Tires P185/70R-13

Curb weight 1,110 kg (2,448
Ibs)

Wheelbase 2.642 mm (104.0
in.)

Length 4,364 mm (176.8 in.)
Width 1.708 mm (67.2 in.)
Height 1.391 mm (54.7 in.)
Trunk capacity 11.0 cu. f.
(33:1 litres)

Fuel consumption City: 8.1
W100 km (35 mpg): Hwy: 5.7
1/100 km (SO mpg) *
Warranty Basic — three
years/60,000 km or basic |
year/20,000 kr + powertrain
seven years/1 15,000 km.
Inquire about the Neon at
Regency Plymouth Jeep
Chrysler, 1177 Marine Dr.,
North Vancouver.

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