Chrysler Cirrus

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Chrysler Cirrus
Pre-facelift Chrysler Cirrus
ManufacturerChrysler Corporation
DaimlerChrysler
Production1995-2000
AssemblySterling Heights, Michigan, United States
PredecessorChrysler LeBaron
SuccessorChrysler Sebring
ClassMid-size
Body style(s)4-door entry-level luxury sedan
LayoutFF layout
PlatformChrysler JA platform
Engine(s)2.4 L EDZ I4
2.5 L Mitsubishi 6G73 V6
Transmission(s)4-speed 41TE automatic
Wheelbase108 in (2743 mm)
Length187 in (4750 mm)
Width71.7 in (1821 mm)
Height54.4 in (1382 mm) (1999-2000 LX)
54.2 in (1377 mm) (1999-2000 LXi)
52.5 in (1334 mm) (1995-97 LX)
54.3 in (1379 mm) (1998 LXi)
Curb weight2,995 lb (1,359 kg)
RelatedDodge Stratus
Plymouth Breeze
ManualsService Manual

The Chrysler Cirrus is a mid-size 4-door entry-level luxury sedan, marketed by Chrysler in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil from 1995 to 2000.

The Cirrus and related JA platform models, the Dodge Stratus and the Plymouth Breeze, were known collectively as the "Cloud Cars" because their names referenced meteorological terms (cirrus, breeze, stratus).

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 Cirrus was a concept car and debuted at the 1992 North American International Auto Show.

Three years later, Chrysler transferred the name Cirrus to the variant of the new midsize JA platform which replaced the LeBaron.

The Cirrus used Chrysler's then-new "cab-forward" design. "Cab-forward" was achieved by pushing the wheels to the corners of the car and brought the windshield's touchdown point near the centerline of the front wheels. By doing this, interior cabin space was greatly amplified.

In keeping with the sports/luxury image, the Cirrus standard features included twin-post, rear-view mirrors, fog lights integrated into the front bumper, chrome front and rear bumper trim, and a chrome (sometimes body-colored) vertical grille.

Market positioning

The Cirrus was marketed by Chrysler as the premium brand in the "cloud cars" trio. It was commonly advertised as the top-of-the-line, leather-trimmed LXi form, which had a Mitsubishi-sourced 2.5-litre V6 engine.

An entry-level LX model was offered, as a Plymouth variant of the JA was not originally planned. Ultimately, Plymouth did get the Breeze in 1996, but the Cirrus continued to be offered as an LX through 1997.


Trim levels

From 1995 to 1997, the Cirrus came in two trim levels: the entry-level LX and the luxury LXi.

For 1998, the LX model was dropped, but returned in 2000 to compensate for the Plymouth Breeze which was discontinued mid-way through the 2000 model year.

  • LX • 1995–1997 — returned in 2000 when the Plymouth Breeze was discontinued
  • LXi • 1995–2000

Engines

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

Year-to-year changes

  • 1995: Chrysler Cirrus sedan launched in the United States and Canada.
  • 1996: A DOHC 4-cylinder engine was available for 1996. The Chrysler-built 2.4 L 4-cylinder which produced 150 hp (112 kW) was standard in the LX. Available only with a 4-speed automatic transmission as with the V6-powered Cirrus. The V6 was optional on LX models. Rear headrests were added this year.
  • 1997: A new center console with storage and integrated armrests was made available for this year. The 4-cylinder engine was made standard in both models, with the V6 as an option.
  • 1998: The 4-cylinder engine and the LX trim level are no longer available.
    1999-2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  • 1999: A new open grille with Chrysler's new winged grille badge and chrome wheels was now standard. Sentry Key; a system that disables the ignition unless the proper key was now able to be installed. Alloy wheels also became an option on LXi, with 15-inch (380 mm) wheel covers standard. Cirrus was the only one of the "cloud cars" to receive any form of facelift over the course of its production.
  • 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 added as a standard feature. Aluminum wheels and an 8-speaker AM/FM cassette stereo were now standard (previously optional). Last year of production.

Replacement

The replacement for the Cirrus was the 2001 Chrysler Sebring sedan, built on an updated version of the JA platform known as the JR. The base model for new Sebring sedan also served as replacement for the Plymouth Breeze. It is interesting to note that the 2001 Sebring sedan, Chrysler's midsize sedan and coupe/convertible shared the same name. This was also true for the Cirrus' predecessor, the LeBaron, which was sold in a sedan version and a coupe/convertible version.

Cirrus in Mexico

The first generation Cirrus was sold in Mexico with a turbocharged version of the 2.4 L DOHC I4 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. The Cirrus' engine was rated at 168 hp (125 kW) at 5200 rpm and 216 lb·ft (293 N·m) torque at 2200 rpm.

When the Cloud Cars were redesigned, the Cirrus name was dropped in the U.S., (the Chrysler Sebring sedan was its replacement) but in Mexico the name continued (Sebring was already registered for a product name there, and Chrysler's usage would constitute trademark infringement.)

Trim levels on the 2001 versions were LX and LXi for the sedan, the convertible was available in one trim level only. All versions were equipped with automatic transmissions.

The second generation Mexican Cirrus comes in two versions: a sedan with Chrysler's turbocharged 2.4 L DOHC engine, and a convertible with the Mitsubishi 2.5 L V6. The turbocharged 2.4 L engine received a power upgrade to 215 hp (160 kW) in 2001.

In March 2004, power was increased to 225 hp (168 kW) at 5200 rpm and 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) of torque at 4200 rpm. Cirrus models with this engine are identified with a "High Output" badge on the back of the vehicle.

In Mexico the current Chrysler Sebring sedan is still sold as the Cirrus.

The third generation Cirrus sedan was released in 2007. There are three engines available: a 2.4 L DOHC I4 engine producing 172 hp (128 kW) at 6000 rpm, a 2.7L V-6 with 189 hp (141 kW) or a 3.5 L V6 engine producing 232 hp (173 kW) at 6400 rpm. It is available in base, Touring, and Limited trims (the same as the 2007 U.S. and Canadian-specification versions). The convertible continues, with same trim levels as the sedan version.

See also

References

External links