Chrysler Cirrus
The Chrysler Cirrus was an American built car in
the mid-size 4-door sedans class introduced in 1995. Like other
Chrysler vehicles, the Cirrus has its Dodge and Plymouth counterpart
(Dodge Stratus and the Plymouth Breeze). These three vehicles are
collectively called the "Cloud Cars" for its name.
The Chrysler Cirrus was based on the Chrysler JA
platform. Upon introduction, it received the Motor Trend magazine's Car
of the Year award for 1995. The JA cars were also on Car and Driver
magazine's Ten Best list for two consecutive years in 1996-97.
The first year of the Cirrus made available the LX
and the the LXi trims. Three years later, in 1998, the LX version was
dropped and the LXi became the only Cirrus model in the market. It came
in a standard 2.5 L V6 engine rated at 168 hp. It was equipped with a
four-speed automatic shift, anti-lock brakes, tilt steering wheel,
cruise control, power windows, and power door locks.
In 2000, the LX model was revived. This was also
the last year that Chrysler will produce the Cirrus which was destined
to be replaced by the Chrysler Sebring sedan, an entirely different car
from the earlier Mitsubishi-derived Sebring coupe and convertible.
Meanwhile, its counterpart Plymouth was discontinued in 1998. The
Stratus on the other hand remains the last Cloud Car to survive until
2007 when it will be replaced by new vehicles using the GS platform.
