Chrysler Cirrus

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Chrysler Cirrus
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation DaimlerChrysler
Production	1995–2000(U.S.A.) 1995-present(Mexico)
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan
Predecessor	Chrysler LeBaron
Successor	Chrysler Sebring
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Chrysler JA platform
Engine	2.4 L EDZ I4 2.5 L Mitsubishi 6G73 V6
Transmission	4-speed 41TE automatic
Wheelbase	108 in
Length	187 in
Width	71 in
Height	54.1 in
Curb weight	2995 lb
Related	Dodge Stratus Plymouth Breeze
Similar	Mercury Mystique Nissan Altima Oldsmobile Cutlass

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.

Contents 1 Design 1.1 Trim levels 1.2 Styling Influences 1.3 Engines 2 Year-to-year changes 3 Cirrus in Mexico 4 See also 5 External links 6 References

[edit] 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 more than one, or all three. Examples of such options include 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. It should be noted that a Base Breeze and Base Stratus both came with similar price tags, however the list of available options on Breeze was much shorter that Stratus.

[edit] 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 as compensate for the Plymouth Breeze.

• LX - 1995-1997; 2000
• LXi - 1995-2000

[edit] Styling Influences

The basic design for the Chrysler Cirrus was influenced by the 1994-1997 Honda Accord and the 1993-1997 Lexus GS

[edit] Engines

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

• Auto-stick was not offered in the Cirrus, nor Breeze, but rather only the V6 powered Stratus "ES".

[edit] 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 1998, the 4-cylinder engine and the LX trim level were no longer available.
• 1999: A new open grille with Chrysler's new winged 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 installed. Alloy wheels became an option on LXi, with 15 inch wheel covers standard.
• 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 2000 Cirruses and aluminum wheels and an 8-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo were now standard, rather than optional.

[edit] 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 I4 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".

[edit] See also

• Chrysler Sebring
• Dodge Stratus
• Plymouth Breeze

[edit] External links

• AllPar.com links:

[edit] References

• http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2128/

Chrysler, part of DaimlerChrysler since 1998, road vehicle timeline, North American market, 1990s-present  v • d • e
Type	1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Compact												PT Cruiser
Mid-size	LeBaron						Sebring
	Le Baron					Cirrus						Sebring
Full-size	Fifth Avenue				Concorde
	Imperial				LHS
	New Yorker									300M						300
Sports								Prowler							Crossfire
Crossover SUV															Pacifica
SUV																		Aspen
Minivan											Voyager
	Town and Country
GT	TC

v • d • e Chrysler Corporation (Category • Vehicles)
Current:
Cars:	300 • Crossfire • PT Cruiser • Sebring
Vans / SUVs:	Aspen • Pacifica • Town and Country • Voyager / Grand Voyager (outside North America)
Historic:
Cars:	300 series • 300M • Airflow • Airstream • Cirrus • Concorde • Conquest • Cordoba • E-Class • Fifth Avenue • Imperial • Imperial Parade Phaeton • Laser • LeBaron • LHS • Neon • Newport • New Yorker • Prowler • Royal • Saratoga • TC by Maserati • Town and Country • Turbine Car • Windsor
Vans / SUVs:	TEVan • Voyager
Concept:
Cars:	Airflite • Akino • Atlantic • California Cruiser • CCV • Chronos • Citadel • Falcon • Firepower • Imperial Concept • Java • ME Four-Twelve • Nassau • Norseman • Pacifica  • Phaeton • Pronto Cruizer