From: brd@images1.Waterloo.NCR.COM (Barry Drodge)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Review: Eagle Vision (Chrysler LH cars)
Date: 1 Sep 92 00:16:03 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Imaging Systems Division, NCR Corp, Waterloo, Ont., CANADA


             CHRYSLER'S NEW EAGLE HIGH FLYING SUCCESS

From Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Aug 14/92
By Alex Law - Automobile Journalists Association of Canada

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Although it may not be all things to all people at all times, I
believe Chrysler's new line of LH family sedans is the best of an
extraordinary talented bunch of competitors.

We're talking here of the Eagle vision and the Chrysler Concorde
and Intrepid being better than more than a dozen competitors from
three continents.  (Note: in Canada the Intrepid is a Chrysler,
not a Dodge as in the USA)

Yes, I can hardly believe it myself, but there is no way of
denying it following extensive, concentrated tests in various
models.  To put it directly, the LH cars are an exceptional
accomplishment.

In the first places, the cars look great.  While that may be a
shallow reaction to another person, it's perfectly sensible when
it comes to a car.  After all, why shouldn't you enjoy eyeing
your vehicle when you walk up to it and why shouldn't you enjoy
other people knowing that you have taste?

That design excellence continues inside, resulting in a wildly
handsome, totally ergonomic and exceptionally well executed
interior.

And it's sooo roomy in there, thanks primarily to its cab forward
configuration, which means the windshield is pushed way forward
on the hood and the wheels are pulled out toward the corners.

This is easily the most cavernous mid size car on the market,
having edged out the Hyundai Sonata for that honor.  With a
column shifter it seats six normal adults in real comfort, of the
hip, shoulder and knee variety.

Indeed, although the LH is a mid size car on the outside, it has
a full size car's interior.  there's a set of dimensional rules
outlining what qualifies as what, in case you were wondering, but
is's too boring to repeat.

Design and roominess and what have you are great, but they
wouldn't mean a thing if the LH cars didn't also have great
ability while moving, which they certainly do.  It's fast, it's
stable, its quiet.

Which brings us to the only questions still to be answered
definitively - can Chrysler build endless numbers of production
vehicles to meet today's high quality standards, and will people
shopping this market visit a Chrysler franchise?

On that point, I tend to listen to that little voice in the back
of my mind that's saying Chrysler will indeed turn out quality
product.  There are several reasons for me to think this, but one
that keeps coming up is that the Chrysler people know they have
no choice.

If these cars are rushed into production before the quality is
exceptional, causing customers to turn their backs on them, the
company is dead.  Dead as in step right into the history books
along with Nash and Studebaker and AMC and a bunch of others. 
This is a powerful incentive.

As for customers actually going into Chrysler or Jeep - Eagle
dealers to look at these cars, Chrysler Canada is currently
spending several million dollars on a program called Customer
One, which will retrofit 6,500 dealerships and head office
employees wit upgraded politeness features.

When these people get to these dealerships, they'll find one trim
level of Concorde, two of Intrepid (base and ES) and two of
Vision (ESi and TSi).  Next winter, a fourth model called the
Chrysler New Yorker will follow.

Prices aren't final yet and are almost never set in stone, but
you can expect these cars to list for $19,000 (Canadian) and up. 
For that money you get a very, very well equipped car powered by
a 3.3 litre engine.  But many people will pop for the optional 24
valve, SOHC 3.5 litre V6, and for very good reason.  Although the
base engine is altogether adequate, more power always seems to be
welcome by todays car buyers.

OK, it's not expensive at more than $20,000 when you consider
taxes and all, but it's competitive and then some to the rest of
the market, especially some Japanese models.

I tested the Eagle Vision TSi the most, and I can tell you that
there isn't one single thing I dislike about the vehicle.  Oh, I
might chirp about the lack of pass through to the trunk or the
appropriateness of the typeface on the console mounted shifter
telling you which gear you're in, but that sounds like hair
splitting of the first order to me.

Called to actually spend money for a mid size family sedan, I'm
pretty sure I'd settle on one of the LH cars.

By the way., LH does not stand for "last hope" as so many writers
are fond of saying, it stands (if you consider the well deserved
success of the Viper and Grand Cherokee) for "latest homer."


Note:  Production spec 3.5 litre V6 has 214 HP
	  The air conditioning system is CFC free and has the same
	  capacity as central air for a 1500 sq ft house.
--
Barry.R.Drodge@Waterloo.NCR.COM
Imaging Systems Division, NCR Canada LTD. 580 Weber ST. N, Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2J 4G5                         Voice: 519-884-1710 FAX:519-884-0610
"My job is so top secret that it keeps me from knowing what I am doing!"