Plymouth Acclaim

The Plymouth Acclaim was a mid-size sedan produced in the 1989 to 1995 model years. The Acclaim was Plymouth's updated replacement for both the similarly sized E-body Caravelle and the K-body Reliant.[2] 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. It was replaced by the Plymouth Breeze in 1996.

Plymouth Acclaim
Overview
ManufacturerChrysler Corporation
Also calledChrysler Acclaim (Japan)
Production1989–December 9, 1994
Model years1989-1995
AssemblyNewark, Delaware, United States
Toluca, Mexico
Body and chassis
ClassMidsize car
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutTransverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformAA-body
RelatedChrysler LeBaron
Chrysler Saratoga
Dodge Spirit
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual[1]
3-speed A413 automatic
3-speed A670 automatic
4-speed A604 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase1991-95: 103.5 in (2,629 mm)
1989-1990: 103.3 in (2,624 mm)
Length181.2 in (4,602 mm)
Width68.1 in (1,730 mm)
Height1989-1990: 55.5 in (1,410 mm)
1991-95: 53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Curb weight2,783 lb (1,262 kg) base
Chronology
PredecessorPlymouth Caravelle
Plymouth Reliant
SuccessorPlymouth Breeze

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. Acclaim (and Dodge Spirit) production ended on December 9, 1994 after a short 1995 model year and the Cab-forward Plymouth Breeze was introduced as a replacement for 1996. The Acclaim was one of the last K-car derivatives produced by Chrysler. In all, just under half a million examples of the Acclaim were built in its 7-model year run.[3]

Market positioning

The AA-body cars were badge-engineered triplets, as were most Chrysler products of this time. The 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 Acclaim and Dodge Spirit were both marketed as mainstream variants, while the Chrysler LeBaron was marketed as the luxury variant. Despite this, there was substantial overlap in trims and equipment among each car. For example, a fully loaded Acclaim was almost similar to a base LeBaron in features and price.[4]

In addition to its 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/door locks, premium sound systems, bodyside cladding, additional exterior brightwork, and on the latter 15-inch lace-spoke aluminum wheels.[5] In spite of this, the base model accounted for nearly 85 percent of Acclaim sales.[6] Unlike the Spirit, the Acclaim did not receive any sport-oriented models.[7]

The Acclaim has also been characterized as the replacement for the smaller Reliant,[8][9][10] though the Sundance launched in 1987 is closer than the Acclaim in most dimensions to the Reliant.

Changes through the years
1989-1990 Plymouth Acclaim
1989-1992 Plymouth Acclaim LX
1993-1995 Plymouth Acclaim

For 1992, the Acclaim's three trim levels were consolidated into one base model.[6] 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 model year, the 2.5-liter engine got a slightly revised cylinder head and the 4-speed A604 automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes were both dropped. Otherwise, the Acclaim remained mostly unchanged during its 6-year run.

Trim levels
  • base • 1989-1995
  • LE • 1989-1992
  • LX • 1989-1992
Production Figures[12]
Year Units
198977,752
1990110,330
199197,146
199277,105
199355,531
199440,294
199512,331
Total Production = 470,489

Engines
Plymouth Acclaim LE rear view

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% ethanol.

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.

Discontinuation and replacement

Production ended on December 21, 1994, along with the Dodge Spirit and the Chrysler LeBaron 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.[13]

References
  1. http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/New-Brochures---Sept/1989-Plymouth-Acclaim-Brochure/1989-Plymouth-Acclaim-16-17
  2. Chrysler Corporation Master Technician Service Conference book "New Model Service Highlights '89" p.4: "Spirit and Acclaim are the new midsize sedans, replacing 600 and Caravelle."
  3. Encyclopedia of American Cars "Plymouth" p. 719: "Plymouth Production Figures."
  4. "Plymouth Acclaim Prices" Archived 2012-03-15 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2011–01–17.
  5. Chrysler Corporation Factory Sales Brochure "1990 Plymouth Acclaim"
  6. "How Plymouth Works: 1990, 1991, 1992 Plymouths" by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide, retrieved 2011–01–17.
  7. "Plymouth Acclaim, Dodge Spirit, Chrysler LeBaron and Saratoga" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved 2011–01–17.
  8. Fifty Years of American Automobiles, the editors of Consumer Guide, Beekman House 1989, p. 335
  9. Swern, Michael; Aaron Gold (September 26, 2006). "K-Chronology - Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries, year to year". Allpar, LLC. Retrieved June 6, 2007.
  10. Consumer Guide Archived 2006-05-29 at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Registrar of Imported Vehicles".
  12. The Encyclopedia of American Cars, p718-19, 2006 Edition
  13. "1995-2000 Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze, and Chrysler Cirrus" Information courtesy of Chrysler, allpar, retrieved 2011–01–18.
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