Chrysler Cirrus

The Chrysler Cirrus wis a mid-size 4-door sedan, introduced for the 1995 model year as direct replacement for the agin Chrysler LeBaron sedan. Based on the new midsize JA platform, the Cirrus wis selt in the Unitit States, Canadae, Mexico, an Brazil for the 1995-2000 model years; but DaimlerChrysler (nou Chrysler) selt the Cirrus in Mexico till the 2010 model year.

Design backgrund

The production Chrysler Cirrus wis based on the 1992 concept caur o the same name which debuted at the 1992 North American Internaitional Auto Show^[1]. Development o the Cirrus startit in 1991, wi the goal tae creaut a caur that wis expressive lookin an fun tae drive, yet safe enough tae transport an iveryday faimily^[2].

The oreeginal concept featurt rear suicide doors an a 400 hp turbocharged 3.0-liter twa stroke ingine^[2]. Baith the concept an eventual production model uised the Chrysler Corporation's new cab-forward design, which wis launched on the lairger LH sedans in 1993. Cab-forrit design wis characterized bi the lang, dramatically slantit windshield, an short owerhangs. The wheels wur pusht further tae the corners o the vehicle, which creatit a much lairger passenger cabin than maist ither similarly sized vehicles o that time.

The Cirrus wis designed wi flowin lines wi nae distinct beginnin or end. This wis done tae eliminate the common three-box design, which wis characterized bi distinct breaks atween the ingine, passenger, an trunk compairtments^[3].

1995–2000

The production Chrysler Cirrus wis introduced alangside the seemilar Dodge Stratus for the 1995 model year. A third JA variant, the Plymouth Breeze arrived the follaein year. The JA sedans wur kent collectively as the "Cloud Caurs" acause thair names which referenced meteorological terms (cirrus, breeze, stratus).

The Cirrus wis oreeginally available in twa trim levels: the well-equipped base LX an the luxury LXi. Baith models featurt sporty, black twin-post side mirrors, fog lichts, the same body-side moldins, chrome bumper accents, an a law extendin waterfall grille that wis either chrome or body coloured dependin on colour o the vehicle. The Cirrus wis ane o the first Chryslers tae featur the rose medallion logo, which haed no been uised in 41 years^[4].

Trim levels

Frae 1995 tae 1997, the Cirrus wis affered in twa trim levels: the entry-level LX an the luxury LXi. The LX model wis dropt for the 1998 model year, but returned in 2000 tae compensate for the Plymouth Breeze which wis discontinued early in the 2000 model year.

LX • 1995–1997; 2000
LXi • 1995–2000

Ingines

2.4 L I4
2.5 L V6

Model year changes

1995: The aw-new Chrysler Cirrus sedan is launched in the Unitit States an Canadae.
1996: This year, a new DOHC 4-cylinder ingine wis available for 1996. The Chrysler-biggit 2.4 L 4-cylinder which produced 150 hp (112 kW)

wis standard in the LX, an wis ae available wi a 4-speed automatic transmission as wi the V6-pouered Cirrus. The V6 wis optional on LX models. Rear headrests war added this year.

1997: The 4-cylinder ingine wis made standard in baith models, wi the V6 as an option. The interior gained a new centre console wi a storage compairtment an integratit armrest.
1998: The 4-cylinder ingine an the LX trim level wur eliminatit, leavin ae V6 LXi models.
1999: For its fift model year, the Cirrus received a redesigned open grille wi Chrysler's new winged grille badge. Chrysler's Sentry Key seestem wis a new option. Sentry Key disabled the ignition unless the proper key wis insertit. Standard 15-inch (380 mm) wheel covers coud be upgradit tae new 15-inch (380 mm) alloy wheels. Cirrus wis the ae ane o the JA "cloud caurs" tae receive ony form o facelift ower the course o its production.
2000: For its final model year, the 4-cylinder LX model returned tae join the V6-pouered LXi sedan. Previously optional rear bairn seat anchorages, aluminum wheels, an an 8-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo wur nou leetit as standard features. Last year o production; aw mid-size Chryslers (redesigned for 2001) wad cairy the Sebring name beginnin in 2001.

Accolades

The Cirrus wis Motor Trend magazine's Caur o the Year for 1995 an on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best leet for 1996 an 1997.

Replacement

The replacement for the Cirrus wis the 2001 Chrysler Sebring sedan, biggit on an updatit version o the JA platform kent as the JR. The base model for new Sebring sedan an aa served as replacement for the Plymouth Breeze. It is interestin tae note that the 2001 Sebring sedan, Chrysler's midsize sedan an coupe/convertible shared the same name. This wis an aa true for the Cirrus' predecessor, the LeBaron, which wis selt in a sedan version an a coupe/convertible version.

Cirrus in Mexico

The first generation Cirrus wis selt in Mexico wi a turbocharged version o the 2.4 L DOHC I4 ingine an a 4-speed automatic transmission wi AutoStick. The Cirrus' ingine wis ratit at 168 hp (125 kW) at 5200 rpm an 216 lb·ft (293 N·m) torque at 2200 rpm.

When the Cloud Caurs wur redesigned, the Cirrus name wis dropt in the U.S., (the Chrysler Sebring sedan wis its replacement) but in Mexico the name continued (Sebring wis awready registered for a product name thare, an Chrysler's uisage wad constitute trademark infringement.)

Trim levels on the 2001 versions wur LX an LXi for the sedan, the convertible wis available in ane trim level ae. Aw versions wur equipt wi automatic transmissions.

The seicont generation Mexican Cirrus comes in twa versions: a sedan wi Chrysler's turbocharged 2.4 L DOHC ingine, an a convertible wi the Mitsubishi 2.5 L V6. The turbocharged 2.4 L ingine received a pouer upgrade tae 215 hp (160 kW) in 2001.

In Mairch 2004, pouer wis increased tae 225 hp (168 kW) at 5200 rpm an 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) o torque at 4200 rpm. Cirrus models wi this ingine are identified wi a "High Output" badge on the back o the vehicle.

In Mexico the current Chrysler Sebring sedan wis still selt as the Cirrus till the 2010 model year, whan the Chrysler 200 replaces baith the Sebring/Cirrus nameplates for the 2011 model year.

The third generation Cirrus sedan wis released in 2007. Thare are three ingines available: a 2.4 L DOHC I4 ingine producin 172 hp (128 kW)

 at 6000 rpm, a 2.7L V-6 wi 189 hp (141 kW) or a 3.5 L V6 ingine producin 232 hp (173 kW)
at 6400 rpm. It is available in base, Touring, an Limited trims (the same as the 2007 U.S. an Canadian-specification versions).

The convertible continues, wi same trim levels as the sedan version.

See an aa

References

↑ "1995-2000 Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze, and Chrysler Cirrus" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–05–09.
↑ ^a ^b "Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus development story" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–05–09.
↑ "Styling" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–05–09.
↑ "How Chrysler Works: The Chrysler LHS and Chrysler Cirrus" by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, retrieved on 2010–05–09.

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2128/ Archived 2006-12-07 at the Wayback Machine

External links

AllPar.com
ChryslerMexico.com^{[deid airtin]} - The 2007 Cirrus's hamepage at Chrysler Mexico

Template:Chrysler timeline

Template:Chrysler

[1] "1995-2000 Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze, and Chrysler Cirrus" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–05–09.

[allpar.com-2] "Chrysler Cirrus and Dodge Stratus development story" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–05–09.

[3] "Styling" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved on 2010–05–09.

[4] "How Chrysler Works: The Chrysler LHS and Chrysler Cirrus" by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, retrieved on 2010–05–09.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]