Friday,

Fall debut of Chrys sler’s Cirrus and Stratus models will add to company’ ’s growing reputation

- OVERDRIVE

. CHRYSLER IS ona roil.
“Since the debut of its highly
acclaimed LH series of
sedans in the 1993 model
year, Chrysler has steadily
gained respect and recogni-
tion as the most progressive
“North American automaker.

we Auto industry critics and con-
sumers once poked fun at some of
“the Chrysler products a few years |
back. Now they simply nod and
“say, “Chrysler seems to be doing
‘the right thing at the right time.”
After the successful launch of
the LH mid-size sedans, Chrysler
kept the momentum going with the
introduction of the widely publi-
‘cized 1995 Neon — a car that’s cre-
ating tidal waves in the fiercely
competitive smali car segment of
the market. -:
. Though noi the most refined car
.. in its class, the’Neon is expected to
“do very well this year, thanks to its
~< surprising! y ‘powerful four-cylinder
“engine, responsive road manners,
roomy cabin, attractive prices, and
, fashionable, “bubbly” design.
Could Chrysler keep this leading
pace even after the Neon? ~
- Indeed, Chrysler executives are ,
~ betting that it will be able to take
.., another major step forward — for
ithe third time — with the debut of
‘an all-new series of compact cars
: called the Chrysler Cirrus and.
Dodge’ Stratus. .
_: The two stylish sedans, code
“named JA ‘models, are destined to

CHRYSLER IS targeting, the 30-something market with their new JA models, the Dodge Stratus

PHOTO rubmitted

(pictured above) and the Chrysler Cirrus. According to automotive columnist David Chao, the
dashing pair are “the best looking cars in the market.”

hit the streets in the late fall as 1995
models. . ,
“The Cirrus and Stratus are posi-
tioned to go head-to-head with the
best of the import entries and break
their stronghold on the compact
segment by offering products that

; excel i in the areas of design, pack-
_ aging, safety, ride and handling,

and performance,” said Chryster
‘president Robert Lutz in describing
the new model.

. _Chrysler’s new range of com-
pact cars will venture into a territo-
ry currently dominated by such

heavy hitters as the popular Nissan

Altima, sleek Honda-Accord, and
smooth Mazda 626 Cronos.
Chrysler president Lutz admits

de DOOR 4-WHEELER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Luxury; elegance, prestige and all purpose utility!All
comfort amenities including leather sport seats, sunroof,
_ trailer tow and integrated running boards.

or 7 3535 no.

24-Mo.
FORD PLAN

+*Based on 24-morth lease with a down payment or tade equr dient of $5.000 plus ist paymiant ana setunty deposit.
Total oelgaten is $17,840, same mueage conanons apply, feeace, msurance, taxes & apphcanie teas exctuced

R Raven black exterior, 5-speed, AIC, capt.
& chairs, luggage rack and alum. wheels. ,

'94 EXPLORER 4 DR. 4x4 XLT |

"XLT" Edition with auto, A/C, P.W., PLL. tilt,

@ cruise, cassette, capt. chairs, trailer tow and”
8 per. axle. #4X021

Saee *2B,495|

that this is not going to be an easy
battle: “This is by far our toughest
challenge — the compact segment
is where the imports live.”

Ford, the second larges! North
American car company, is also
going to make life more difficult
for Chrysler with its plans this fall
to bring out two similarly sized,
new-from-the-ground-up cars: the
Ford Contour and Mercury
Mystique.

Despite the import manufactur-
ers’ strong presence in this class,
Chrysler is hoping to capture the

. IMMEDIATE DEL IVERY
ON APPROVED CREDIT
* TOP DOLLAR FOR TRADE IN
* WARRANTY ON MOST VEHICLES |
° ON THE SPOT FINANCING

hearts of the 30-something genera- ,
tion of buyers with three major
attractive points: handsonie, stylish
design; sports coupe-like perfor-
mance; and outstanding value.

The first point needs no explana-
tion.

One look at the Cirrus and
Stratus is enough to convince even
the most discriminating import
buyer that these are the best-look-
ing cars in the market.

The exterior design borrows a
hint of design from the Honda
Accord, BMW 3-series, and

Chrysler's own LU sedans, Ets
ayyressive, cab-forward-driven
stance almost resembles a hungry
animal ready to pounce on its prey.
“Exciting design has been lack-
ing in the family sedan arena, but
we started to change that,” said
John Herlitz, executive director of
design at Chrysler. “We think
we've achieved a sedan with the
look of a coupe.”
_ The interior follows the design
trend of many Japanese cars:
smooth, gently sloping curves and
lines grace the user-friendly instru-
ment panel and rich-looking door
panets. :
Gienn Gardner, general manager
of the large car platform engineer-
ing group, said that the JA sedans:
were specifically designed to
express Sportiness and youthfulness
— two factors the young generation
of buyers look for in a car. :
With the Cirrus and Stratus,
Chrysler feels that consumers will,

:not have to give up sporty handling,

fun-to-drive character, or exciting
engine power delivery even though

“theyre buying a vehicle with four
‘doors.

The new compact sedans will _
offer three engine choices: a base
2.0-litre 16-valve engine with 134°
horsepower; a 2.4-litre DOHC =”
engine with 138 horsepower (avail-
able January 1995); and a 2.5-litre
V6 with 162 horsepower. Only the -
base engine can be mated to a five-,
speed manual shifter. ;

Indy 500 winner Emerson .
Fittipaldi worked closely with the
JA Team during the development
stage, so the multi-link independent
suspensions equipped in the JAs
should be a very capable setup.

Like the bigger LH mid-size
sedans and number-one selling
minivans, Chrysler promises to :
pack more features and perfor-
mance into the luxury-oriented
Cirrus and sports-minded Stratus | ;
than anyone else in the market.

We won't know for sure how -
accurate this claim is until Chrysler ©
announces prices and details.

But based on everything we've

heard and seen, it looks like

Chrysler has another “home run” in
store.

DONT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY
_ TO DRIVE A NEAR NEW ‘93 AT
gg HOUSANDS BELOW COST

299-0123

ONLY 5 MINUTES
FROM 2ND ) NARROWS,

4550 Lougheed Hwy. °
at Willingdon