Chrysler’s Okay-Automobile pulled the corporate again from the brink of monetary collapse. This platform and its multitude of fashions and physique types was the mind baby of automotive legend Lee Iacocca, and so they introduced spacious and well-built autos again to the stagnant Chrysler line up. Whereas the corporate offered thousands and thousands and may very well be had with quite a lot of turbocharged engines, automotive’s on the platform got here with little in the way in which of efficiency. Take MotorWeek’s 1982 take a look at of the Chrysler LeBaron Coupe.
MotorWeek examined a totally loaded $13,000 LeBaron Coupe, full with wire wheels and Landau prime. Styling each inside and outside was what you’d anticipate of the interval; sprint gauges that seemed like a clock at your grandparents’ home and the leather-based seats wouldn’t look misplaced in a attorneys workplace.
Braking efficiency was the worst a part of the take a look at. Whereas MotorWeek didn’t precisely come for the LeBaron due to it, the numbers converse for themselves. Braking from 30 mph took 46 ft. This automotive took some planning in the event you discovered your self in an emergency braking scenario and reveals simply how dangerous a automotive with out ABS might be. From 55 mph the Lebaron took 149 ft.
For reference, that’s worse than a GMC Hummer EV. Motor Development’s testing of the huge EV noticed it do the identical deed in 137 ft. MotorWeek gave this distance the OK “contemplating the mission of the automotive.” No matter which means, it’s wild to assume engineers at Chrysler signed off on braking that’s farther than a basketball court docket is lengthy.