Chrysler's compact front-wheel drive corporation (DaimlerChrysler since 1998) Plymouth Neon was produced from 1995 to 2001 at factories in Belvidere (Illinois, USA) and Toluca (Mexico). The predecessor of the model was Plymouth Sundance. Neon premiered in January 1994. This model has received much greater fame under the Chrysler and Dodge brands. It should be noted that under the Chrysler brand Neon was sold in many foreign markets: in Mexico, Japan, Australia and Europe.
In the domestic market of the United States and in Canada, the car was offered under the brands Plymouth and Dodge. At the base of the design of the car was the platform Chrysler PL. Neon released with two body styles: 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan.
Dimensions were 4364/1715/1394 mm with a wheelbase of 2642 mm. The sporty character of the car was emphasized both in its appearance, often with unpainted bumpers, but from plastic in body color, and in the interior: the absence of electric drive for rear power windows, for example, is unusual for America. There were 7 options for completing the model 1995-1999 release: Vase, Highline, Sport, EX, ACR and Style. The most complete equipment offered for the Australian market. On the Neon, the first generation installed 2-liter inline 4-cylinder 16-valve A588 gasoline engines SOHC (132 hp / 6000 rpm, 175 Nm / 5000 rpm) and 420A DOHC (150 hp / 6500 rpm, 180 Nm / 5600 about).
They were overhead with a lower camshaft and longitudinally placed in front; the first engine was equipped with a sedan, the second - a coupe. The maximum speed of the car was limited by the electronic cut-off at 190 km / h, however, there was an ACR version with 210 km / h, which had almost no external differences from the base model. The Neon was more powerful than all its competitors in the niche of compact cars such as the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Ford Escort and Toyota Corolla. In Europe, the model was only available with a 1.8 liter DOHC engine (131 hp), a modified suspension, rear spoiler and alloy wheels.
The engines were paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox NVG T-350 or 3AKPP 31TH. In the version with the sport package since 1997, adjustable Koni shock absorbers were used in the suspension, and all brakes were fitted with disc brakes. In 2000, the production of the second generation Neon began. In general, the model has become more advanced than the previous version. The list of changes consisted of more than 1000 items. Of the bodies remained only 4-door 5-seater sedan, which had dimensions of 4430/1712/1422 mm with a wheelbase of 2667 mm and a track 1474/1472 mm. The luggage compartment was 371 liters.
The doors have acquired a frame for glass, as the first generation had a frameless “hardtop” design. The interior was also redesigned and became even more “sporty”. As a result, the curb weight of the car increased to 1170 kg. In most markets, including the USA, the car was offered with one engine: a 4-cylinder A588 SOHC of 2 liters (132 hp).
The maximum speed, as before, was limited to 190 km / h, and the average consumption of AI-92 gasoline was 7.8 liters per 100 km. As an option, the Magnum power unit was supplied, which developed a power of 150 hp. But the choice of transmissions has expanded due to the use of the new 4-speed automatic 41TE. The front suspension included a double wishbone, springs and a lateral stabilizer, the rear one was a continuous axle beam, springs and a lateral stabilizer. The front brakes were fitted with ventilated disc brakes in the basic configuration, while the rear brakes were installed.
The standard tire size is 185/65 R14. The most powerful version with the sport package R / T, in addition to the 150-horsepower engine, had a spoiler, a double chrome exhaust system, stiffer suspension springs and 16-inch wheels. 2001 was the final year in the production of the Plymouth Neon, the last silver sedan of this brand left the assembly line on June 28. Nevertheless, the release of the remaining versions of this model lasted for two more years and ended on September 23, 2005.
