Plymouth Breeze
Encyclopedia
The Plymouth
Breeze is a mid-sized 4-door sedan introduced in 1996 as a badge-engineered
Plymouth version of the Chrysler Cirrus
and Dodge Stratus
released in late 1995. These three JA-platform
cars were collectively known as the Cloud Cars because of their loosely sky-themed names. At introduction, the Breeze came in only one trim level. It was on Car and Driver
magazine's Ten Best list
for 1997.
The Breeze was discontinued early in the 2000 model year, as part of the Chrysler
's phaseout of the Plymouth
brand; it was Plymouth's last mid-size model. Although it did not match the sales of its predecessor, the Acclaim
, the Breeze did manage to sell over 230,000 units and total production was greater than that of its Chrysler Cirrus sibling, which was produced for nearly two additional years.
design, originally introduced by the full-size LH cars
(Chrysler Concorde
, Dodge Intrepid
, and Eagle Vision
) in 1993.
Though the Breeze was similar in appearance to the Cirrus and Stratus, there were two distinct features that made it stand out: ridged taillights which incorporated the reverse and turn signals into it instead of a separate strip and an eggcrate grille (a Plymouth staple of that era).
transmission, all of which were offered on the Stratus and Cirrus.
The Plymouth Breeze came only as one basic model. Equipped nearly identically to a base model Dodge Stratus, the Breeze came standard with the 2.0 L I4 engine, five-speed manual transmission, 14-inch wheel covers, air conditioning, and driver and front-passenger air bags. In light of this, the Breeze was still available with many options, such as a four-speed automatic transmission
, anti-lock brakes, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control
, power window
s, power door locks, power mirrors, and a sunroof. Additionally, 1998 and 1999 Breezes offered an "Expresso Package". Similar to Expresso packages offered on the Voyager
and Neon, content included special badging, unique wheel covers, upgraded audio system, and premium interior cloth in unique "Rhythm" pattern.
The last Breeze rolled off the Sterling Heights Assembly
line on January 7, 2000.
Plymouth (automobile)
Plymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, produced by the Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
Breeze is a mid-sized 4-door sedan introduced in 1996 as a badge-engineered
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
Plymouth version of the Chrysler Cirrus
Chrysler Cirrus
The Chrysler Cirrus was a mid-size 4-door sedan, introduced for the 1995 model year as direct replacement for the aging Chrysler LeBaron sedan. Based on the new midsize JA platform, the Cirrus was sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil for the 1995-2000 model years; DaimlerChrysler ...
and Dodge Stratus
Dodge Stratus
The Dodge Stratus was a mid-size 4-door sedan introduced in 1995. It was based on the Chrysler JA platform Cab forward . The Stratus, Breeze, and Cirrus were all on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. It received critical acclaim at launch, but ratings fell over time...
released in late 1995. These three JA-platform
Chrysler JA platform
The JA platform was Chrysler's smaller complement to the LH cars which were larger than the K's, and a direct size replacement for the last extended K cars, the Acclaim and Spirit. It was a mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform and was the basis for the Cloud Cars - the Chrysler...
cars were collectively known as the Cloud Cars because of their loosely sky-themed names. At introduction, the Breeze came in only one trim level. It was on Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
magazine's Ten Best list
Car and Driver Ten Best
Car and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:# The vehicle must be on sale by January...
for 1997.
The Breeze was discontinued early in the 2000 model year, as part of the Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
's phaseout of the Plymouth
Plymouth (automobile)
Plymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, produced by the Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
brand; it was Plymouth's last mid-size model. Although it did not match the sales of its predecessor, the Acclaim
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; both cars were built on the Chrysler K platform...
, the Breeze did manage to sell over 230,000 units and total production was greater than that of its Chrysler Cirrus sibling, which was produced for nearly two additional years.
Design
The Plymouth Breeze used the cab forwardCab forward
The term cab forward refers to various rail and road vehicle designs which place the driver's compartment substantially farther towards the front than is common practice.- Rail locomotives :...
design, originally introduced by the full-size LH cars
Chrysler LH platform
The LH platform served as the basis for the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and the final Chrysler New Yorker. A Plymouth to be called the "Accolade" was planned, but never saw production...
(Chrysler Concorde
Chrysler Concorde
The Chrysler Concorde was a large four-door, full-size, front wheel drive sedan produced by Chrysler from 1993 to 2004. It replaced the Chrysler Fifth Avenue on the lineup. One of Chrysler's 3 original Chrysler LH platform models derived from the American Motors/Renault-designed Eagle Premier, it...
, Dodge Intrepid
Dodge Intrepid
The Dodge Intrepid is a large four-door, full-size, front-wheel drive sedan car model that was produced for model years 1993 to 2004. It was mechanically related to the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler New Yorker, Eagle Vision, and also the 300M sedans...
, and Eagle Vision
Eagle Vision
The Eagle Vision was a full-size, front-wheel drive sedan, marketed as a sports version of the Chrysler LH platform, produced from 1993-1997. It was sold by the Eagle division of the Chrysler Corporation, replacing the AMC/Renault-designed Eagle Premier...
) in 1993.
Though the Breeze was similar in appearance to the Cirrus and Stratus, there were two distinct features that made it stand out: ridged taillights which incorporated the reverse and turn signals into it instead of a separate strip and an eggcrate grille (a Plymouth staple of that era).
Specifications
- Track (front and rear): 60.2 in (1,529 mm)
- Curb weightCurb weightCurb weight or kerb weight is the total weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating consumables , a full tank of fuel, while not loaded with either passengers or cargo.This definition may differ from definitions used by governmental regulatory agencies or other...
: 3181 lb (1,443 kg) - Towing capacity: 1000 lb (454 kg)
- TorqueTorqueTorque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
: 165 lbft- 167 lbft
Features
As part of Chrysler's new marketing strategy which addressed concerns that its brands were treading into each other's marketing territory, Plymouth, as Chrysler Corporation's low-price brand for essentially its entire existence, was to focus exclusively on value. As a result, the Breeze (as well as the base model Stratus) filled the position as the entry-level JA car. Due to this, the Breeze lacked certain features including an available V6 engine, alloy wheels, leather interior, body-colored door handles, fog lights, and Chrysler's AutostickAutostick
The name Autostick has been used both for a Volkswagen semi-auto transmission and a system designed by Chrysler which allows for manual selection of gears with an automatic transmission. Another similar system designed by Porsche is called Tiptronic...
transmission, all of which were offered on the Stratus and Cirrus.
The Plymouth Breeze came only as one basic model. Equipped nearly identically to a base model Dodge Stratus, the Breeze came standard with the 2.0 L I4 engine, five-speed manual transmission, 14-inch wheel covers, air conditioning, and driver and front-passenger air bags. In light of this, the Breeze was still available with many options, such as a four-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, anti-lock brakes, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control
Cruise control
Cruise control is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver.-History:...
, power window
Power window
Power windows or electric windows as well as electric or power window lifts are automobile windows which can be raised and lowered by depressing a button or switch, as opposed to using a hand-turned crank handle.- History :Packard introduced the first power windows in the 1940 Packard...
s, power door locks, power mirrors, and a sunroof. Additionally, 1998 and 1999 Breezes offered an "Expresso Package". Similar to Expresso packages offered on the Voyager
Plymouth Voyager
In 1984, the Voyager name was applied to Plymouth's variant of Chrysler's all new minivan. This Voyager used the Chrysler S platform, which was derived from the K-platform . In addition to using a derived platform, the Voyager shared many components with the K-cars, most notably the interior...
and Neon, content included special badging, unique wheel covers, upgraded audio system, and premium interior cloth in unique "Rhythm" pattern.
Engines
- 2.0 L SOHC four-cylinder engine (standard, five-speed manualManual transmissionA manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
was available) - 2.4 L DOHC four-cylinder engine (this was available as an upgrade, also available on Expresso trim)
Year-to-year changes
- 1996: Plymouth Breeze sedan is released. It was available with 2.0-litre 132 hp inline-4 engine.
- Model yearModel yearThe model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
production: 46,355 units.- 1997: A new center console which included storage space, an integrated armrest, and rear-seat cupholders were some of the changes for 1997.
- Model year production: 70,549 units.
- 1998: A more powerful engineInternal combustion engineThe internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
was now available. The DOHC 2.4 L 4-cylinderStraight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
was 150 hp, the regular 2.0 L was 132 hp. However, only an automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
was available with the DOHC 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine. Like the Neon and VoyagerPlymouth VoyagerIn 1984, the Voyager name was applied to Plymouth's variant of Chrysler's all new minivan. This Voyager used the Chrysler S platform, which was derived from the K-platform . In addition to using a derived platform, the Voyager shared many components with the K-cars, most notably the interior...
, a new trim level, the Expresso, was also new for 1998. The Expresso added new features including different wheel covers.
- 1998: A more powerful engine
- Model year production: 66,620 units.
- 1999: Revised suspension tuning for 1999 which promised a smoother ride, was one of the few changes this year.
- Model year production: 47,911 units.
- 2000: Breeze production was halted early in 2000, due to the phaseout of the Plymouth brand name. Only a base model Breeze was available for this year. Part of most Plymouths being rebranded as ChryslersChrysler (division)Chrysler is the flagship brand of Chrysler Group LLC, named after founder Walter P. Chrysler.-Overview:The Chrysler brand was originally a premium luxury position competing with Cadillac and Lincoln, owned respectively by Chrysler Group's Detroit rivals, General Motors and Ford Motor Company...
(e.g. ProwlerPlymouth ProwlerThe Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a "retro" styled production car built in 1997 and 1999-2002. The Prowler was based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.- Design :...
, VoyagerChrysler VoyagerThe Chrysler Voyager or Chrysler Grand Voyager is a minivan sold by the Chrysler division of American automobile manufacturer Chrysler Group LLC...
), the Breeze (along with the Chrysler CirrusChrysler CirrusThe Chrysler Cirrus was a mid-size 4-door sedan, introduced for the 1995 model year as direct replacement for the aging Chrysler LeBaron sedan. Based on the new midsize JA platform, the Cirrus was sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil for the 1995-2000 model years; DaimlerChrysler ...
) were both replaced by the Chrysler SebringChrysler SebringThe Chrysler Sebring is a line of mid-size cars that was sold by Chrysler from 1995 to 2010.The Sebring came in three generations. The first, from 1995 to 2000, was available first only as a coupe and starting in 1996 as a convertible. The two body designs did not share many components nor any...
sedan.
- 2000: Breeze production was halted early in 2000, due to the phaseout of the Plymouth brand name. Only a base model Breeze was available for this year. Part of most Plymouths being rebranded as Chryslers
- Model year production: 2,030 units.
The last Breeze rolled off the Sterling Heights Assembly
Sterling Heights Assembly
Sterling Heights Assembly is a Chrysler automobile factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The factory opened in 1953 to produce missiles. Volkswagen converted it for automobile production in 1980 and it was subsequently purchased by Chrysler in 1983. The nearby Sterling Stamping opened in 1965...
line on January 7, 2000.
- Grand total production for the 4.5 years: 233,465 units.