Plymouth Acclaim

The Plymouth Acclaim is a mid-size sedan produced in the 1989 to 1995 model years. The Acclaim was Plymouth's updated replacement for the similarly sized E-body Caravelle;^[1] both cars were built on the Chrysler K platform. At the same time, many automotive publications identified the Acclaim as the de facto replacement for the smaller Reliant which was offered in 1989 alongside the Acclaim.^[2][3][4] Badge engineering was employed to give Dodge and Chrysler their own versions of the AA-body Acclaim: the Dodge Spirit, the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, and the export-market Chrysler Saratoga. The Acclaim was a considerable market success, selling nearly half a million examples over its 7-model year run.^[5] It was replaced by the Plymouth Breeze in 1996.

Platform

The Acclaim was a version of the Chrysler Corporation's AA-body 4-door sedan, which was an evolutionary development of Chrysler's extended K-car platform. Ending production in 1995, the Acclaim was one of the last K-car derivatives produced by Chrysler.

Market positioning

The AA-body cars were badge-engineered triplets, as were most Chrysler products of this time. The Plymouth Acclaim differed from its siblings primarily in wheel choices, bodyside molding, and fascias where it sported its unique taillights and the corporate Plymouth eggcrate-grille. Like the K-body and E-body vehicles they replaced, the Plymouth Acclaim (and Dodge Spirit) were marketed as mainstream variants, while the Chrysler LeBaron filled the luxury position. Despite this, there was frequent overlapping of trims and equipment between the three cars. For example, a fully loaded Acclaim was nearly identical to a base LeBaron in features and price.^[6]

In addition to is entry-level base model, the Acclaim was initially available in mid-range LE and high-end LX trim. LE and LX models came equipped with features such including premium cloth seating, power windows/locks, premium sound systems, bodyside cladding, additional exterior brightwork, and on the latter 15-inch lace-spoke aluminum wheels.^[7] In spite of this, nearly 85 percent of Acclaim sales accounted for the base model.^[8] Unlike the Spirit, the Acclaim received no sport-oriented models.^[9]

Changes through the years

For 1992, the Acclaim's three trim levels were consolidated into one base model.^[10] At extra cost, it could be equipped with packages and stand-alone options previously included in LE and LX models. The Acclaim was mildly facelifted for 1993, with a new radiator grille and other minor trim detail changes including a new chrome Pentastar hood ornament. Starting in 1993, the Acclaim was offered with a "Gold Package". This included gold pinstripes, gold bodyside trim, and gold-accented alloy wheels accented with gold paint.

A motorized shoulder belt was added to the front passenger seating position of US-market Acclaims in 1994, to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208's requirement for passive restraints. These motorized belts did not comply with Canada's safety standards. As a result, Canadian-market Acclaims continued to use a manual passenger seatbelt, and 1994-1995 Acclaims could not be legally imported in either direction.^[11] For 1995, its final year, the 2.5-liter engine got a slightly revised cylinder head and both the 4-speed A604 automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes were dropped. Otherwise, the Acclaim remained mostly unchanged throughout its 6-year run.

Trim levels

• base • 1989-1995
• LE • 1989-1992
• LX • 1989-1992

Engines

The Acclaim was available with several different engines. A 2.5 L (153 cu in) Chrysler inline-4 engine producing 100 hp (75 kW) with throttle-body fuel injection was standard equipment. A 3.0 L (183 cu in) Mitsubishi V6 producing 141 hp (105 kW) with multi-point fuel injection was standard on Acclaim LX, optional on the others. Also available on base and LE models from 1989 through 1992 was a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 150 hp (112 kW). In 1993, 1994 and 1995, a flexible-fuel Acclaim was offered, powered by a 107 hp (80 kW) multipoint fuel injected version of the 2.5-liter engine specially modified to run on fuel containing up to 85% methanol.

Transmissions

Several five-speed manual transmissions were available, depending on which engine was installed, but relatively few Acclaims were equipped with manual transmissions. The three-speed Torqueflite automatic was the most popular installation on Acclaims with TBI and MPFI 4-cylinder engines, and was also widely installed in conjunction with the V6 in 1993 through 1995. From 1989 to 1992, most V6 Acclaims came with the four-speed A604 electronically controlled automatic.

• 5-speed manual
• 3-speed A413 automatic
• 3-speed A670 automatic
• 4-speed A604 automatic

Discontinuation and replacement

Production ended after a short run of 1995 models was produced. Chrysler did not initially replace the Acclaim, but in 1996 released the Plymouth Breeze version of the JA platform.^[9]

References

External links

• IMCDB: Plymouth Acclaims in movies & TV shows
• Allpar Plymouth Acclaim/Dodge Spirit page
• ConsumerGuide.com's page on the Acclaim