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Suspension is struts front and rear all four of which benefit from 10 years of CAD/CAM experience by the auto industry. This is most noticable at the rear where multiâ€"links and twin trailing rods are immensely better than the old solid beam of Kâ€"car days. The tighter touring suspension which is standard on * the Sport and optional: on the Highline Chrysler Neon instant contender in competitive family car market By JIM ROBINSON Special to the Beaver ~ _ et me say right off the top I am g very impressed with the new M_4; Neon from Plymouth/Dodge. Chrysler‘s latest entry level sedan is just plain clever in it‘s design, systems, and more importantly, it‘s ability to deliver the promise of it‘s exciting new shape. I guess I just wasn‘t ready for Chrysler‘s latest price leader to be so entertaining to drive while providing all the room a family of four, or five, needs on a wheelbase of just 2640 mm (104â€" inches) and length of 4,365 mm (171.8â€" inches). My test car was a Highline with the five speed with as delivered standard features like power steering, front buckâ€" et seats, tinted glass, a uplevel stereo with four speakers, split/folding 60/40 rear seats, variable wipers, and a curious mostly grey but colorâ€"flecked upholâ€" stery, all of which added up to $1,670. Other options included $280 for cruise, $105 for the Pearlâ€"Coat Light Iris paint; and $820 for a package which boasts four floor mats with Neon logo, remote trunk release and air conditioning. Lastly the car came with antiâ€"lock brakes. The retail on the Neon as equipped is approximately $14,500. It is safe to say the Neon has come from nowhere to the top rank of smartâ€" efficient small cars like Saturn, Civic, Protege, Golf, and Corolla. That‘s pretâ€" ty heady company where discerning buyers want real value for money and aren‘t fooled by geeâ€"gaws and empty advertising claims. Currently Neon is only offered as a four door sedan as a Plymouth or a Dodge. All come with a new, 2.0â€"litre, 16â€"valve, inline fourâ€"cylinder engine mounted transversely and driving the front wheels. There are three versions: the entry level car; the ‘"Highline" which comes with most options North Americans buy like power steering and brakes, air conditioning and power mirâ€" rors/locks; and a Sport model with a handling package optional on the Highline standard along with upgraded tires and wheels. A fiveâ€"speed manual is standard on all three with a threeâ€"speed automatic offered across the board as an option. A new fourâ€"speed autobox is coming in the near future. This car was just a delight on the highway as four family of four headed down to visit grandpa at his farm over Easter. Vision was firstâ€"rate. The seats where a little hard by North American standards but that initial feeling of a stiff seat back was gone in a few kilometres, the seats being fatigue free for the next 500. Incidentally, fore/aft adjustment is made possible by a superâ€"easy to reach grab bar which extends across the lower portion of both front seats. Acceleration is surprising. Chrysler says the car will do 0â€"60 mph in under 9.0 seconds. No quibbling from me on this as I found the engine willing and pull in all gears exhibiting a rather racey whine from the gear train under full load. Fifth is very much a cruising/econâ€" omy gear so you find yourself in fourth a lot of the time around town. Even down around 2000 rpm, the engine comes up to the speed range nicely, something not found in most smallâ€"bore, multiâ€"valve engines. makes a difference; but so too does the costly addition of Goodyear GA radials, the type of tire found on the big Japanese luxury sedans. Nifty things on this car included two big cup holders; heating/cooling system using big (for older fingers) rotary knobs; a clever hologramâ€"like Neon logo on the dash which changes colors with the refraction of sunlight (my son was enthralled); and praiseâ€"be a pushâ€" pull knob for turning on the headlights and adjusting the instrument illuminaâ€" tion. Bottom line is there is no question in my mind the Neon has instantly become a contender for the family looking for affordable, smart, spirited transportation. 1995 Chrysler Neon 175 Wyecroft Road 845â€"6653 SHow Your HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS THEY WERE RIGHT. Now that you actually have lived up to your potential, it‘s time you graduated to the car you‘ve always wanted. Test drive an affordable E320 Sedan at your local authorized Mercedesâ€"Benz dealer. 300 SOUTH SERVICE RD., OAKVILLE 845â€"6623 (exit QEW at Dorval Road) > r, 4 oyl., amamatvc, , p.b., air, AMEM stereo, â€" roof rack, ioâ€"tone blus, one . . Stk. 1@92392. BETWEEN KERR DORVAL â€" OAKVILLE EAGLE TALON TS MERAY of OAKVILLE * LICENSE AND TAXES ARE EXTRA SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE i eal eré one ownerStk #AT26â€"1.. V6B, automaitic, air, stereo/casâ€" sette, tit, cruise, power locks, balance of factor warranty available.Stk. #P2369. Authorized Mercedesâ€"Benz Dealers