Cars - Chrysler Cirrus

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	Cars - Chrysler Cirrus

Overview

The Chrysler Cirrus was a mid-size 4-door sedan sold in the United States from 1995 to 2000; In Mexico, the current Sebring sedan is still sold as the Cirrus. It and its siblings, the Dodge Stratus and the Plymouth Breeze, were known as the "Cloud Cars". The Cirrus was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1995 and on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.

Design

Originally, the Chrysler Cirrus was a concept car that debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show. Three years later, the Cirrus was introduced in 1995 as the higher-end model of the Cloud Cars (the Stratus being the middle, and the Breeze being at the lower-end); however, many of the same features and options were available on all three, such as a four-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, an anti-theft system, power windows, remote keyless entry, power door locks, a power driver's seat, leather seats, a power antenna, a six CD changer, and a sunroof.

Trim levels

From 1995 to 1997, the Cirrus came in two trim levels: the LX and the more luxurious LXi. In 1998, the LX model was dropped but returned in 2000 to replace the Plymouth Breeze, which was going to be discontinued later that year

Specifications

Wheelbase: 108 inches
Overall length: 187 inches
Overall Width: 71 inches
Overall Height: 54.1 inches
Track (front and rear): 60.2 inches
Curb weight
: 2,995 lb
Towing capacity: 1,000 lb
Torque: 168 ft·lbf

Engines

2.4 L I4 (option on LX in 1996)
2.5 L V6 (standard on LX and LXi)

Year-to-year changes

1996: A DOHC 4-cylinder engine was available for 1996. The Chrysler-built 2.4 L 4-cylinder which produced 150 hp was standard in the LX. It only came with a 4-speed automatic transmission as did the V6-powered Cirrus. The V6 was optional on LX models. Rear headrests were also new this year.
1997: A new center console with storage and integrated armrests were available for this year. The the 4-cylinder engine was now standard in both models, with the V6 as an option.
1998: For '98, the 4-cylinder engine and the LX trim level were no longer available.
1999: A new open grille with Chrysler's new winged eagle grille badge and chrome wheels were now standard. Sentry Key, a system that disabled the ignition unless the proper key was used could now be instaled.
2000: The 4-cylinder engine was brought back adding a 4-cylinder LX model to join the V6-powered LXi sedan. Rear child seat anchorages were standard on '00 Cirrus's and aluminum wheels and an 8-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo were now standard, rather than optional.

Cirrus in Mexico

The first generation Cirrus was sold in Mexico; a turbocharged version of the first-generation Cirrus was sold there, with the 2.4 L DOHC 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. The Cirrus' engine was rated at 168 hp at 5200 rpm and 216 ft·lbf of torque at 2200 rpm.

When the Cloud Cars were redesigned, the Cirrus name was dropped in the U.S., but in Mexico the name stayed. The second generation Mexican Cirrus comes in two versions: a sedan with a turbocharged 2.4 L DOHC engine, and a convertible with the Mitsubishi 2.5 L V6. The turbocharged 2.4 L engine went through some improvements in 2001, when hp was increased to 215. Engines built from March 2004 and later generate 225 hp at 5200 rpm and 235 ft·lbf (319 N·m) of torque at 4200 rpm. Cirrus models with this engine can be recognized by a rear badge saying "High Output".

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