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New Car Test Drive - 1994 Chrysler LHS
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| Updated |
Jul 7, 2004 20:17:15 |
| Rating |
 664 ( -92 -13.85% ) |
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Description:
Chrysler Corporation created quite a stir with the successful introduction of its LH-platform cars. The breakthrough cab-forward design and head-turning style of these four-door sedans have been meeting with buyers' approval ever since.
With the introduction of the 1994 Chrysler LHS, it seems that Chrysler wanted to step up the pace in the high-end sedan market. True to the image its nameplate conjures, the Chrysler LFIS is a large, spacious, utterly luxurious sedan whose sticker price includes nearly every power assist and creature comfort imaginable.
In exchange for an MSRP base price that sneaks in just over $30,000-$30,283 to be exact-the Chrysler LFIS four-door sedan gives the luxury-car buyer precious few decisions to make, but a lot to appreciate. The decisions are few because practically everything that makes a luxury car just that - including an ultra-posh leather interior a power moonroof, dual air bags and virtually every power assist-are all standard equipment on the Chrysler LHS.
And here's the kicker: To move all that equipment and as many as five occupants comfortably and smartly down Country Club Lane, Chrysler has incorporated a healthy 215-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that, based on our tests, gives this elegant luxury sedan one of the highest performance profiles in its class.
Walkaround
In addition to the expansive raked windshield, comparatively abbreviated hood and graceful sweeping roof line that are inherent to the LH cab-forward design, Chrysler has managed to give the LFIS a styling signature all its own. in profile, a European-style, gracefully rounded rear window distinguishes this luxury sedan from its counterparts.
Our Chrysler LHS test vehicle was a vision of rich, flawless black beauty. Out front, a vertical chrome grille with the Chrysler insignia in the middle was flanked by plastic-encased halogen headlamps and cornering lights that wrapped around the raked front fenders. Underneath, a massive vinyl-covered bumper wrapped under the front end and was protected by a chrome-encased vinyl molding.
A stroll along the side of our test vehicle revealed the special touches that give the Chrysler LFIS its unique styling signature. Striking cathedrals e aluminum wheels should raise a few eyebrows. On the doors, a large brushed-chrome side molding began just below the beltline of the vehicle and continued under the rocker panels. Combined with our vehicle's flawless black finish, the side moldings and wheel treatments imparted a look of sheer class.
Out back, the gracefully rounded, nearly vertical window design was complemented by a huge wraparound bright-chrome bumper that added to this car's image. Taillight/cornering lamp assemblies didn't wrap around the rear fenders; instead, Chrysler opted to place rectangular red side marker lamps on the lower portion of the rear fenders, another small but deliberate effort to give the '94 Chrysler LHS a truly unique look. In that effort, we believe that the Chrysler design team succeeded.
The Inside Story
A traditional but elegant combination of wood trim and rich, black leather beckoned our test driver. The plush, deeply gathered leather front buckets and contoured rear seats seemed to embrace us rather than merely seat us. A thickly padded and cushioned console separated the front seats and housed a floor-mounted shift lever for the four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
One of the many thoughtful and driver-friendly touches we found was that the transmission indicators were incorporated in both the console and the speedometer/ tachometer dials, and in clear view through the steering wheel. The graceful arc of the instrument panel also showed analog fuel and temperature gauges and the expected comfort element of warning lights, while the leather steering wheel housed handy cruise control buttons.
Overhead, a roof console displayed the outside temperature as well as the setting for the standard automatic climate control. Other controls for the LHS's nearly endless complement of power assists-including antenna, trunk release and automatic security and headlamp systems-were carefully positioned and easily located on either the driver's armrest or on the dash beneath the instrument cluster.
A wood-grain enclosure for the vehicle's AM/FM stereo and climate control switches extended from the center of the instrument panel to the armrest. We were impressed not only with the rich wood grain that set off the Chrysler LHS's instrument panel and continued along the doors, but also with the cover for the passenger-side air bag, which was integrated unobtrusively with the dash and didn't impart the "tacked on" look we've seen in other vehicles.
There's an abundance of leg and shoulder room up front. The exclusion of rear seat headrests was perhaps the only reason that we didn't give this luxury sedan a comfort rating of 11 on a 10-point scale. Thickly cushioned leather trim on all doors, entry straps, and enough map and courtesy lights to illuminate the interior for any purpose assured us that Chrysler has left little out of this high-style sedan.
Ride & Drive
We expected a luxurious ride from the Chrysler LHS and we weren't disappointed. What really caught us by surprise was this big sedan's powerful and agile performance during every stage of our road test. In highway passing trials, the big 3.5-liter, 24valve V6 took just a shade longer than three seconds to go from 30 to 60 mph. We were duly impressed to find that the LHS rocketed from a standing start in near performance-car fashion.
The vehicle's superb traction control system and variable-assist power steering provided precise handling, cornering and a sense of total driving ease and control throughout our road test. On both wet and dry pavement, the four-wheel anti-lock brakes treated us to smooth, swift stops without a hint of skidding or lockup.
Any negatives? A bit of wind noise at around 70 mph and some rumbling from that big, powerful engine during acceleration. Otherwise, we think the Chrysler LHS will give competitors a new set of performance standards to match.
Final Word
Those in search of all the amenities and comforts of a spacious sedan won't be disappointed with the LHS. Those who crave the prestige of a luxury nameplate and a unique look to match will find both in this beautiful Chrysler creation. Most of all, luxury-car buyers hoping to treat themselves to pulse-quickening response and superior overall performance should put this superbly engineered sedan at the top of their wish list. |
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