‘Car of the year’

Press, 21 December 1978, Page 10

‘Car of the year’

The compact, five-door Chrysler Horizon (above) has won the 1978-79 European “Car of the Year” award, making it the third time in the last five years that a French-built car has taken the coveted award. The Horizon was selected from the 17 eligible cars by a panel of 53 motoring writers from 16 European countries. They judged the cars on general design, comfort, safety, handling and general roadworthiness, performance, functionalism, driver satisfaction and value for money.

The snappy little Chrysler scored 251 points, just

beating Fiat’s new family saloon, the Ritmo (239 points). The third-placed car, the recently revised Audi 80, was well back with 181 points, and next came the Opel Monza and Senator (145), the Peugeot 305 (134), Alfa Romeo Giulietta (112), Renault 18 (104) and the BMW 323 i (57).

Rover’s 2600 saloon was the highest-placed British car, in twelfth place with only four points.

The award winners over the last five years were: Mercedes 450 (1974), Citroen CX (1975), Chrysler Alpine (1976), Rover 3500 (1977) and the Porsche 928 (1978). Chrysler’s Horizon was launched in January and already 200,000 have been sold.

Prices in England start at $2740 for the LS, which has a 1120 cu cm motor.' The GL, which has the same motor, costs $3103 and the 1300 cu cm GLS costs $3500, about the same as an Austin Maxi in England.

John Langley, writing in the London “Daily Telegraph,” wrote of the Hori« zon: “Within the 13ft

length of its neat and businesslike five-door body it encompasses nearly all the features thought desirable by the European small-car buyer — transverse engine with front-wheel-drive, fully independent suspension, a tailgate and folding rear seat, good performance with excellent fuel economy, agreeable handling and pleasantness to drive. If. to me, it seems a little short of that elusive quality, character, perhaps that just proves that even today you can’t have everything.” “Motor” magazine said: “Chrysler’s new entry into the Golf/Renault 14 market is expensive in GLS form but is plushly trimmed and extremely well equipped. The 1300 engine gives an impressive blend of performance and economy; refined cruising is marred by booms at same speeds. Smooth but rather noisy ride and surefooted handling is somewhat spoiled by very lows geared (but commendably Tight) steering. It is not as roomy as might be expected, and driving position is cramped for taller-than-average drivers."