Plymouth Laser

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Plymouth Laser

Manufacturer	Diamond Star Motors
Parent company	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1990-1994
Predecessor	Plymouth Reliant Coupe
Class	Sport compact
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive/Four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler D platform
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
Wheelbase	97.2 in
Length	172.8 in
Width	66.7 in
Height	51.4 in
Related	Eagle Talon Mitsubishi Eclipse
Similar	Geo Storm Hyundai Scoupe Mazda MX-3

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, replacing the Plymouth Reliant coupe, while the Reliant sedan was replaced by the Acclaim. It was launched 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
- 2.1 Production figures
3 Awards
4 End of the line
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 untill 1991 models were made.

[edit] Year to year changes

1991: The Laser received anti-lock brakes, and the 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 received 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 hood and front and rear fascias. The pop-up headlights were removed in favor of multi-form fixed headlights, making the car look more aerodynamic. The rear lightbar was replaced by two separate taillights.

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 anti-lock brakes.

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

[edit] Production figures

1990 - 42,105
1991 - 30,198
1992 - 24,094
1993 - 14,300
1994 - 5,284(not full production year)

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 the line

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] Badge-engineering in fact, can be attributed to the demise of both the Plymouth and Eagle brands in 2001 and 1998, respectably.

[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

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