Chrysler’s new Avenger

Press, 9 June 1978, Page 8

Chrysler’s new Avenger

By

RUSSELL JONES, motoring editor

Brand new models are al) very well when manufacturers have the money and time to devote to making them fully servicable

before releasing them to an eager, but sometimes gullible, public. A facelift for an old old model can often perform more of a service to motorists. The new Series Seven Avenger is a case in point. The original model sold well enough but it was never a world-beater. The new model is not a world-beater either, but it is a significant improvement—the car has been genuinely improved, instead of just having received a face-lift. Those familiar with the old Hillman Avenger would immediately notice these things: the word Hillman has disappeared because the car is now a Chrysler; the grille and headlamps have been replaced with a much more attractive unit; the old L-shaped rear light cluster has been redesigned; and the seats and instru-

ments have been improved almost beyond belief. Chrysler cheated with the new instrument panel because it is lifted straight from the much more expen-

sive and well-equipped Alpine. But no matter. It fits well into the Avenger and gives the car a touch of class it did not have before. The seats are more comfortable and seem to be positioned more carefully in relation to the pedals and the new, soft-feel steering wheel (also lifted from the Alpine). The Avenger is available in the Super model (1295 cu cm) with a four-speed manual gearbox and a GLS (1598 cu cm) in both manual and automatic form. The car I tested was the Super, and the responsiveness and power of the engine impressed me a great deal. It is rated at 44kW (59 b.h.p.) and although that is not very startling for a 1300, on the road it seemed willing to give all its power all the time.

At 885 kg the Avenger is not a particularly light car (the four doors have something to do with it) but all the same the performance is lively enough to satisfy most drivers. According to Chrysler, the engine has been improved by altering the compression ratio, fitting a thermostatically - controlled electric fan, and a thermal control on the air , cleaner is said to make the engine more efficient. Although these changes are designed for economy —I found the car thrifty, although I did not. have the opportunity to do a controlled economy check—they also aid smoothness and flexibility. The engine seems a little more reluctant than some to pull strongly when cold, and the unit in the car I tested made a buzzing noise at high revs which 1 attribute to a “soft” valve spring, but, especially around town, the engine would hold its own with any in its class. On the open road the car pulls willingly in top gear and is quite happy cruising at much higher than the legal limit. On hills, the power-assisted disc-drum brake system shows up well. For me, one of the most impressive features of the car was its handling. It is stable and predictable under all normal conditions and has reserves of roadholding which will never be tested by most drivers. Some people might take this as an insult, but it is intended only as praise: this British Avenger is moving towards the best that Japan can offer in this class, and at $6040 for the four-door Super it undercuts some of its Japanese competitors by hundreds of dollars. No, the Chrysler Avenger is not a new car. But as I said at the beginning, that might be to its advantage, and to the advantage of drivers who want an uncomplicated, sturdy small car with some pleasant refinements. (Test car from Todd Motors.)