Our first hands-on experience with the new Dodge Stratus took place during an introduction drive through Napa Valley in Northern California. A JA-platform mate to the Chrysler Cirrus, this value-oriented four-door (price ranges from $14,500 to $17,800) is aimed squarely at the upwardly mobile thirtysomething market. It's also looking to steal shares from such established players as the Honda Accord and Pontiac Grand Am, as well as the recently introduced Ford Contour.
Available in base and ES trim levels, the aggressively styled Stratus benefits from an extremely spacious passenger compartment, heavily laced with a variety of comfort and convenience touches. Key standards include dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, and air conditioning. Three engines are available: a Chrysler-built 2.0-liter/132-horsepower DOHC 16-valve four which comes standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, a 2.4-liter/150-horse twin-cam/balance-shaft derivative of the above engine, and a 2.5-liter/164-horse SOHC V-6 sourced from Mitsubishi. The latter two are paired only with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic.
We spent most of our time behind the wheel of a 2.4-liter base Stratus, which Dodge expects to be the volume leader of the lineup. Its torquey new ChryCo four delivers near-V-6 performance and smoothness. Despite lacking the ES's more aggressive wheel/tire/suspension package, the standard model's well-sorted double wishbone front/rear underpinnings provide impressive ride and handling. Complaints are few: Road noise is a bit on the high side, and steering feels a tad heavy and dead on center. However, based on our initial encounter, this new Dodge appears ready, willing, and quite able to hold its own against the current benchmark cars in this segment.
Chrysler Sebring Topless For '96Chrysler finally announced that it will produce the long-rumored Sebring ragtop-and says the car will be created from the chassis and mechanicals of the Chrysler Cirrus sedan, Motor Trend's 1995 Car of the Year.
Two models will be offered: a JX and JXi. Drivetrain details are sketchy, but the top-line JXi will be powered by the familiar Mitsubishi-sourced 2.5-liter SOHC V-6 producing 164 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. That engine will be paired with Chrysler's 41TE electronically controlled four-speed automatic with torque management.
"The car possesses a fresh and aggressive cab-forward appearance that provides greatly improved interior space and useable trunk volume," said John E. Herlitz, vice president of Product Design. "If you detect more than a hint of Chrysler 300 heritage in the grille design and graphics, I can assure you that the coincidence is purely intentional."
Joe Caddell, general product manager of the Small-Car Platform, said, "The Sebring JX is a true four-seater. It provides the design and the fun-to-drive excitement of a convertible, plus the spaciousness for four adults."
The Sebring JX and JXi convertibles are expected to reach Chrysler showrooms this fall.
GMC Introduces The Ultimate JimmyGeneral Motors will meet Ford, Mitsubishi, and Jeep on the premium sport/utility battlefield if the GMC Jimmy Ultimate is approved for production, as expected, for the '96 model year. "Many BMW and Lexus owners are intrigued by the versatility and convenience intrinsic to a contemporary compact sport/utility," said GMC Truck Market Planner Al Buhl. "We intend to make them feel right at home in the new Ultimate."