Plymouth lazer

21-05-2018

The Plymouth Laser Sports Compact Coupe was manufactured by Chrysler Diamond Star Motors, a subsidiary of the company at the plant in Normal (Illinois).

MotorWeek | Retro Review: '89 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS and Plymouth Laser RS

The Laser debut took place in January 1989, and the car was introduced as a 1990 model.

At the same time, a similar Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe was put into production, and a little later in the same year, their twin Eagle Talon. All of them were constructively one car, with minor external differences. Also, Laser had a great resemblance to Dodge Stealth, despite the fact that it was built on a different platform.

During the four years of production, the Laser underwent a facelift several times: for example, in 1992 the “pop-up” headlights were replaced with fixed ones, the shape of the body elements, rear optics, aerodynamic body kit and decor elements changed.

At the base of the Laser design, the Chrysler D proprietary platform was located. The car body was a 3-door 4-seater liftback with dimensions of 4389/1694/1306 mm with a wheelbase of 2469 mm and a track gauge of 1465/1450 mm. The standard volume of the luggage compartment is 290 liters, the maximum with the rear seat backs folded forward - 730 liters. Laser curb weight was 1148 kg. Minimum ground clearance - 160 mm.

The cabin equipment included a CD player, something that was not on Eclipse and Talon. The top version of the RS could be purchased with a limited demand “gold” package, which included gold-colored alloy wheels and moldings.

The engines were located transversely in front. Three types of 4-cylinder petrol engines were offered, all of which were from Mitsubishi: a basic 8-valve 4G37 I4 with a volume of 1,755 liters (92 hp, 102 Nm), a two-liter DOHC 4G63 I4 (135 hp, 125 Nm) and the top RS version used a turbocharged 195 horsepower 4G63T I4 engine with a maximum torque of 271 Nm. In 1993, the power of the turbocharged engine was reduced to 180 hp.

The maximum speed of the Laser with the base engine was 175 km / h, and the consumption of AI-92 gasoline in the urban cycle was 10 liters (on a highway, 6 liters per 100 km). The RS version could accelerate to 230 km / h, having a fuel consumption of 13 liters in the city and 8 liters on the highway.

Engines are aggregated with standard 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions.

10 Second Plymouth Laser Turbo on Hoosiers! Kyle Cimbron 10.60 @ 132mph

Automatic transmission was offered as an option, with the exception of machines with supercharged power plants (since 1991), where it was standard. It should be noted that the manual was also produced by Mitsubishi.

The drive of the base model is front, but since 1992, customers have the opportunity to order a full extra charge. In the suspension front and rear wheels used coil springs. The type of steering gear-rake with power.

In 1991, Laser began to equip ABS, by 1993 all modifications except the base had this security system. In addition, the standard equipment included Brake Assist. Front brakes were installed ventilated disc, rear - disc. The standard tire size is 185/70 R14.

From 1989 to 1992, Plymouth Laser was repeatedly included in the list of the ten best cars in Car and Driver magazine. Despite this, the production of the model declined annually due to insignificant demand: if in 1990 42150 cars were produced, in 1993 it was only 14,300. Until mid-1994, 5,284 cars left the assembly line. On this production Plymouth Laser was completed.

Also, one of the reasons for the end of the release of Plymouth Laser was the reluctance of the manufacturer to create competition to another car: the new Plymouth Neon, also in the sports car class. The Eagle Talon was produced until 1998, right up to the demise of the Eagle brand, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse is still being produced.