- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
98kW, 177Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 7.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 60000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Few bright signs for Neon
FOR: Distinctive styl ing, responsive steering and handling, improved quality and big list of features.
AGAINST: Engine noise, outdated trans mission, firm ride and overall lack of refine ment.
HOW IT RATES: 3 stars (out of 5)
Apart from the fact Chrysler's profile needed to be re- established after a long absence from these shores, there was the Neon itself, which was a small car at a medium car price, even if it is well equipped and with a bigger-than-usual engine.
With the launch of the new PL2000 Neon a few weeks ago, Chrysler seems to be facing much the same situation.
This Neon should slot into the same category as Toyota's Corolla, Mazda's 323 and all the other traditional small cars. It is just five millimetres shy of the Ford Laser in length but with prices starting at just under $24,000 is closer in price to larger cars such as the Holden Vectra or Daewoo Leganza.
Despite having a similar appearance to the old Neon, this is an all- new car and has a fresh and appealing look. Chrysler calls the styl ing, with its short bon net and steeply raked windscreen, a "cab forward" design, and there's no doubt it offers the visual attraction of a speedy, wedge-like shape.
The longer wheelbase also offers the possibility of increased cabin length, and despite the Neon not being big by absolute standards it does have better than average amounts of rear leg room.
As already men tioned, Neon prices start at $23,990 for the manual version of the SE, and the automatic gearbox adds another $1750 to that price. Standard equipment includes air condition ing, twin airbags and power windows, but for more convenience items buyers can opt for the LE model.
The LE is mechanically identical apart from the addition of rear disc brakes and ABS, and it also gets remote central locking, traction control a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an alarm thrown in for the price of the $25,990 manual or $27,990 automatic.
The engine is a 2.0 litre four which drives the front wheels, and, for its size, it is quite a powerful unit. Maximum power of 98kW is produced at 5600rpm, and there's a useful 177Nm of torque, even if it is produced quite high in the rev range at 4600rpm.
Initial acceleration from a standing start in the automatic version - there are no five-speed manuals available at launch - seems strong, but the news isn't particularly good from there.
The engine is relatively noisy and becomes harsh at higher revs, but it is the three speed transmission which is the main culprit in mak ing the Neon a less than pleasant car to drive. While the auto's shifts through the gears seem smooth enough an extra ratio would be handy for manoeuvres like overtaking.
At highway speeds there's a marked reluc tance to kick-down into second gear, and when it eventually happens the sudden rise in revs add plenty to the noise factor and not a lot to acceleration.
Having to work the engine and trans mission harder then usual will result in a 0-100km/h time of around 11.4 seconds, which is slower than expected, and fuel con sumption also suffers despite the Neon being a relatively lightweight and powerful car for its size.
Granted, the car tested here was low on kilometres and the engine felt tight, but better than 11 litres/100km could have been expected, and the small 47 litre fuel tank seems to empty at an alarming rate. The lack of refine ment and flexibility of the drivetrain is more of a pity when it is con sidered the Neon could otherwise be a pretty entertaining car to drive.
The old Neon's some what loose and soggy suspension has been replaced with much tauter, tighter underpinnings which offer excellent levels of grip, and the steering is nice and direct as well.
The pay off is in ride quality, because there is no doubt the Neon's suspension feels every bit as firm as the flat handling would suggest.
The LE version has switchable electronic traction control which we'd guess could be handy on North American snow, but is made more or less redundant by the amount of grip and the lack of sudden acceler ation available from low in the rev range.
Still, we're waiting to have a go in the five- speed manual version because with the right ratios to explore the engine's pulling power properly this could be quite a sporty little machine.
Inside, the Neon is a big improvement over the old model in a num ber of areas with a more homogenous design, and a nice airy cabin. The driver sits low and grips a thick chunky steering wheel, the white-backed instru ments continue the exterior's feeling of indi viduality and, while quality of fit and finish isn't quite up to Japan ese standards, it is bet ter than before.
There's a couple of strange features, how ever, including the steering wheel which looks like it has been fitted upside down (belied by the chintzy Chrysler badge) and the front seats are narrow enough to have the seat buckle digging into broader behinds.
Why a huge rotary knob is needed to switch from flow- though to recirculated cabin ventilation is any one's guess.
And while the Neon has a long wheelbase compared with its over all length, it isn't the paragon of roominess it could be. There's enough space for a couple of pairs of lanky legs in the rear, but those same back seat occupants will find their scalps pressed against the rear glass behind the roof lining and it is not a comfortable feeling.
Placing the rear wheels as far towards the back of the car as possible might help with interior packaging, and perhaps handling balance, but the intrusion of the wheel arches into the boot do nothing for carrying capacity in what is a smaller than average luggage space. It can, however, be made larger by lowering the split-fold rear seat.
Overall, the Neon LE in automatic form is not as good a car to drive as it could be, and con sidering that at more than $27,000 it is up against good mid-sizers such as Holden's Vectra, it's not as roomy either.
The three-speed auto is an anachronism that for many other manu facturers disappeared at least a decade ago and counts against this small Chrysler, but a lack of engine refine ment and an overly firm ride do it no favours either.
Potential buyers might be swayed by the Neon's high equipment levels and its solid grip on the road, but other wise there are nicer small cars around for less money.
ENGINE: 2.0-litre, DOHC, 16-valve four cylinder.
POWER: 98kW at 5600rpm and 177Nm at 4600rpm.
TRANSMISSION: Five speed manual or three speed automatic.
STEERING: Rack and pinion, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock. Turning circle 10.8m.
BRAKES: Ventilated discs front, iscs rear. ABS standard.
SUSPENSION: Front - Independent by MacPherson struts with coil springs and stabiliser bar. Rear - Independent by Chapman struts, with coil springs and stabiliser bar.
WHEELS/TYRES: 5.5 x 15-inch steel wheels, tyres 185/60R15
DIMENSIONS: Length 4390mm, width 1715mm, height 1440mm, wheelbase 2667mm, kerb weight 1163kg.
ECONOMY: 11.6 L/100km. Fuel tank 47 litres.
PRICE: $25,990 manual, $27,990 automatic.
ALTERNATIVES:
Mazda 323 Protege 1.8 - $24,490
Honda Civic GLi 1.6 - $24,950
Subaru Impreza RX 2.0 - $26,990