Plymouth Laser

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Plymouth Laser

Manufacturer:	Diamond Star Motors
Production:	1990-1994
Class:	Sport compact
Body style:	3-door hatchback
Platform:	FF/AWD D
Engine:	1.8 L Mitsubishi 4G37 I4 2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63 I4 2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63T I4
Transmission:	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Related:	Eagle Talon Mitsubishi Eclipse
Similar:	Hyundai Scoupe Ford Probe Geo Storm Toyota Celica

3 Plymouth Lasers, showing an all around view

The Plymouth Laser was a sports coupe made by Diamond Star Motors. It was a rebadged Mitsubishi Eclipse and was also twins with the Eagle Talon.

The Laser debuted in January 1989 as a 1990 model, with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Eagle Talon. Even though the three looked similar, both the Eclipse and the Talon had minor details that made them stick out from the Laser. The Laser sported a racey look, with a plastic panel in the place of a grille, a full rear lightbar, a bulge on the hood for 2.0 L engined models (not necessarily turbocharged), and stylish alloy wheels.

1 Engines
2 Year to year changes
3 Awards
4 End of production
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Engines

Base Lasers carried a 1.8 L four-cylinder engine, whereas a 135 hp, 2.0 L DOHC four was optional with the Laser RS. The top-of-the-line RS Turbo used a turbocharged 2.0L rated at 190 hp. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard. A 4-speed automatic was optional, except with the turbocharged engine, which could only be ordered with the manual transmission.

[edit] Year to year changes

1991: The Laser got antilock brakes, and the Laser's turbocharged engine could now be ordered with an automatic transmission instead of a manual. The Laser RS could now only be ordered with the 135 hp engine.

1992: The Laser got some cosmetic changes for 1992, and a new all wheel drive model joined the lineup. The RS Turbo AWD came only with a manual transmission, while the 2WD version could still be ordered. There was also a freshening to the front and rear fascias. The pop-up headlights were removed and Eclipse-style headlights were added, making the car look more aerodynamic. It also got a new hood and front and rear bumpers. The rear lightbar was gone and two separate taillights were added instead.

1993: All wheel drive Lasers could now be ordered with an automatic transmission. With the automatic, the power rating of turbocharged models dropped to 180 hp (134 kW). All Lasers except for the base model could be equipped with antilock brakes.

1994: Production of the Laser ended this year, due to poor sales. Nothing was changed.

1992-1994 Plymouth Laser

1992-1994 Plymouth Laser rear view

[edit] Awards

The Laser Turbo was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list from 1989 through 1992.

[edit] End of production

The Laser did not sell very well. This could be attributed to several reasons. First, the Laser wasn't advertised much, and the heavy marketing of the Mitsubishi Eclipse and the Eagle Talon winning awards quickly overshadowed the Laser and made it seem "invisible". And the fact that it was a product of badge-engineering and Chrysler already sold a version of the Eclipse as the Eagle Talon wasn't good for it either. ^[1]

[edit] References

Consumer Guide
↑ The American Automobile - Tony Beadle, 2000

[edit] External links

Plymouth Laser Review at Consumer Guide.com
DSMTuners.com - Online owners' club
DSMTalk.com - Online owners' club

Plymouth Vehicles Category	(edit)
	Historic:
	Cars:	Acclaim \| Arrow \| Barracuda \| Belvedere \| Breeze \| Caravelle \| Champ \| Colt \| Conquest \| Cricket \| Duster \| Fury \| Gran Fury \| GTX \| Horizon \| Laser \| Neon \| Plaza \| Prowler \| Reliant \| Road Runner \| Sapporo \| Satellite \| Savoy \| Sundance \| TC3 \| Turismo \| Valiant \| VIP \| Volare
	Vans/SUVs:	Adventurer \| Voyager/Grand Voyager \| Trailduster
	Trucks:	Arrow Truck
	Concept:
	Cars:	Backpack \| Expresso \| Howler \| Pronto \| Pronto Spyder \| Slingshot \| Speedster \| Voyager 3