Background: If nothing else, DaimlerChrysler's compact, front-wheel-drive Neon enjoys one claim to fame; it's the first 2000 model year vehicle to roll off the assembly line. Now totally redesigned and arriving at dealers, the 2000 Neon represents the compact's second-generation. Chrysler Corp. debuted Neon in January of 1994. The next-generation Neon took 28 months to develop (compared with 31 months for version one) at a cost of $703 million (less than the original's $1.3 million .) When first introduced, Chrysler Corp. decided upon a marketing approach where both Dodge and Plymouth divisions would sell upstart Neon with the only difference being interior and exterior brand name badging. This approach continues with 2000 Neons. Most times when manufacturers market virtually identical cars under separate divisions, new names and sales strategies are devised for each. Neon joins other small cars recently refreshed or replaced. Ford Motor Co. will jettison its venerable Escort subcompact in the U.S. market this fall, and debut an all-new compact vehicle, the Focus. Why all the interest in small cars, which carry a very low profit margin for automakers when compared with sport utility vehicles, trucks and minivans? Industry analysts estimate small cars will represent nearly 30 percent of all cars sold in the United States by the year 2000, exceeding two million units. All second-generation Neons are built close to home along the Northwest Tollway at DaimlerChrysler's Belvidere facility, 30 miles west of Elgin. First-generation versions were built at two locations: Belvidere and Mexico. To date, an excess of 1.5 million Neons have been sold worldwide.
New for 2000: Neon offers several updates for the new century. Visually, Neon includes a softer, more mainstream exterior. First-generation Neons made a bolder, more radical statement. This 2000, second-generation version looks more refined, but still incorporates a racy, backward to front stance thanks in part to more pronounced wheel arches. For 2000, two-door coupes are no more. Neon incorporates four doors exclusively. Neon is now more solid with less rattle. The number of parts have been reduced by 24 percent and welding units have replaced many screws. Neons are lighter, taller and longer than before. Both interior room and cargo volume increase from last model year. It's an inch taller, more than two inches longer and a smidgen wider. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) stretches an inch for increased road stability.
Engine: For the 2000 model year, Neon offers a "one size fits all" four-cylinder, 2.0-liter, 16-valve powertrain delivering 132 horsepower in a single overhead cam, inline package. It's similar to last year's engine, and Chrysler claims the powertrain purrs with less noise. Neon offered an optional 150 horsepower, four-cylinder engine in 1999 models and it's anticipated to return in 2001. Domestic rivals including the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier and 1999 Ford Escort don't match Neon's 132 horses. Cavalier's four-cylinder engine registers 120 horsepower while Escort sedans churn out 110.
Trim Levels: Dodge Neon comes in two basic trim levels: a Base sedan which includes a "D" level of standard features and Neon ES, which includes the more posh "G" equipment group. When shopping at Plymouth dealers, the two trim level choices include Base and Neon LX.
Safety features: Reduced-force front dual air bags, rear-door child locks and a battery saver feature that automatically turn off lights when inadvertently left on, come standard. Anti-lock brakes and traction control, are optional. Side-impact air bags are not offered. Remote keyless entry and theft deterrent systems come standard in Neon ES while optional in Base editions.
Standard equipment: Rear defroster; AM/FM cassette radio with six speakers; power rack & pinion steering; intermittent front windshield wipers and five-speed manual transmission come standard.
Options: Tilt steering wheels, cruise control, three-speed automatic transmission, aluminum wheels, compact disc player along with front ashtrays and cigar lighters are options.
Price: Our silver, Neon ES test drive vehicle included a base price of $12,390. After factoring in options including anti-lock brakes ($740), automatic transmission ($600), cruise control and upgraded wheel, the bottom line totaled $16,680 with $500 destination charge and customer discounts factored into play.
Interior: Throughout its short history, Neon offered one of the most spacious interiors in the compact class. With added hip room in front and back this year, the roomy feel grows. The instrument panel, newly designed this year, includes large, circular tachometers and speedometers analog gauges flanked by a circular fuel gauge right and temperature gauge left. Only the odometer readout illuminates digitally. Our Neon ES included white circular backgrounds that turned black at night. Headlights operate from the turn signal area while windshield wipers monitor from a right-hand side stalk. Three easy-to-grab dials control temperature, fan speed and blower direction and situate above the stereo system. DaimlerChrysler locates the ignition cylinder on the steering column. The rear window defroster toggle switch under the sound system. Two permanently-molded beverage holders situate perpendicular to the floor-mounted gearshift. A third is found between front bucket seats adjacent to the hand-operated parking brake and in front of a deep, flip top bin. A fourth cup holder, built into the inside top of the storage bin along with a tissue holder, services back seat travelers when the top flips back 180 degrees. Both the glove box and door map pockets increase in size this year. All cruise control functions are found on the steering wheel. During the weeklong test drive, the sun actually peaked from the clouds, which happens occasionally during March in Chicagoland. But Neon's sharply slopped front window and huge dashboard surface contributes to window glare. Power window lock buttons are found on the two front doors next to chrome interior door handles. An circular dial monitoring both outside mirrors is found on the driver's door arm rest. Back windows manually crank down, even in editions with front power windows.
Seating comfort: Headroom, enormous in front, is average in back. Cloth seating comes standard in every Neon. All models now include a 60/40 back seat fold down split for carting long items including skis or lumber. Like most compact sedans promoted as five seaters, two adults fit most comfortable in back. Three preteens could manage in back. Three adults would be a tight fit. Drivers experience decent road perception in front and to the sides, but the back window sill's upward curvature hides the trunk top, making backups a bit more challenging. All four doors swing open wide enough for easy entry and exit.
Exterior: Front headlights now reflect a jewel shape, contrasting from the more rounder look of the first generation. Flush-mounted door handles share the same color as the body. Black, oval side view mirrors fold in when brushed against immovable objects; a nice touch. The rectangular, back brake light indicator now locates on top of the trunk lid. A circular key cylinder is centrally located on the trunk lid. The non-locking, circular fuel door with tethered cap, is found on the passenger side rear fender. In front, the Dodge medallion, centered between the new-look headlights, adds to a small-grille front look. A mast radio antenna extends from the right-side front fender. Fourteen-inch steel wheels and all-season tires are standard fare while fifteen-inch tires with bolt-one wheel covers come optional. Exterior colors include: silver metallic, cinnamon glaze metallic, salsa red pearl coat, flame red, bright white, black, bright silver, amethyst cranberry, and forest green.
Trunk: Trunk capacity increases to 13.1 cubic feet from the previous generation's 11.8 cubic feet; more than Toyota Corolla's 12.1 cubic feet and Ford Escorts 12.8 cubic feet, but still less than the Chevrolet Cavalier sedan's 13.6 cubic feet. A temporary spare tire situates below the trunk bottom's flat floor.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 105.0 inches Overall length: 174.4 inches Overall width: 67.4 inches Overall width: 67.4 inches Weight: 2,567 pounds
Fuel economy: Mated with a five-speed manual transmission, Neon averages 27 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 m.p.g. on the highway. Three-speed automatic transmissions average 25 m.p.g. in city driving and 32 m.p.g. highway; good estimates for a compact segment automobile. The tank holds 12.5 gallons of regular, 87-octane unleaded fuel.
Final thoughts: First-generation Neons didn't quite reach the sales potential originally predicted by Chrysler executives earlier this decade. A rounded, radical, bubble look and a marketing effort steered toward young Generation Xers may have turned off a more seasoned audiences. This second-generation Neon confronts these issues with tamed down exterior nuances and more room inside. DailmerChrysler readily admits boomers and empty nesters are fair game for Neon this time around. The 2000 Neon also will attempt to reverse a downward spiral. Neon sales totaled 196,487 last year, about 50,000 units less than 1997. While the optional three-speed automatic transmission was adequate, Cavalier, Escort and Toyota Corolla offer four-speed versions. Neons engine whine was noticeable at higher speeds in our three-speed test-drive edition; although Chrysler added sound-deadening features making interior noise less intrusive than the first generation's. |