1996 Eagle Vision Review

The $23,835 Eagle Vision TSi sports sedan is competitive with $35,000-plus foreign sedans--and brings clutchless manual shifting to a mass audience with its innovative Autostick transmission.

The well-mannered, roomy Vision is one of Chrysler Corp.'s often-overlooked ``import-fighter'' Eagle cars. In TSi form, this handsome four-door is the sportiest of Chrysler's big front-wheel-drive LH sedans, which include the Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concorde.

The $19,245 Vision base model has a 3.3-liter, 161-horsepower V-6 and conventional four-speed automatic transmission--a ho-hum setup. But the TSi is powered by a 3.5-liter, 214-horsepower V-6 and offers Autostick, which switches between four-speed automatic and clutchless four-speed manual transmission modes with the flick of a lever.

Even the ESi is well-equipped, with items such as dual air bags, air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette, conventional power steering and power windows, door locks and mirrors.

The TSi, which I tested, adds anti-lock brakes, variable-assist power steering for better road feel at higher speeds, a traction-control system that enhances tire grip on slippery roads, automatic temperature control, power front seats, keyless entry system and 16-inch chromed aluminum wheels.

The smooth, quiet, double-overhead-camshaft TSi V-6 provides strong acceleration (0-60 m.p.h. in 8.8 seconds) and delivers an estimated 17 m.p.g. in the city and 26 on highways with Autostick. Economy for the ESi is 19 city, 27 highway. Neither model needs premium fuel.

The TSi is a genuine import battler, with excellent steering and handling and pretty good braking. The ride generally is good, but the comfort-oriented suspension allows the car to ``float'' a bit over road dips at high speeds.

The seats should offer more lateral support for spirited driving. And shorter drivers will have to stretch to reach the climate controls at the base of the dashboard. Despite added sound insulation for 1996, road noise remains noticeable in the otherwise-quiet TSi. But the 3,494-pound car has sports sedan instrumentation, limousine-style room and a big trunk.

As for Autostick, the first genuine automatic/manual transmission first appeared in--of all things--a 1989 Ferrari grand prix race car. Since then, a few costly, specialized cars like the $60,000-plus Porsche have offered a transmission that acts like a regular automatic or clutchless manual.

But only the Vision TSi provides one at a fairly low price.

The Autostick functions as a fully automatic transmission, with Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gears. In the manual mode, the floor-mounted shift lever can be tapped a short distance either left to downshift or right to upshift through all four gears.

The taps end against a solid stop, and the lever then quickly snaps back to center, prepared for your next move.

The manual shifting is a sequential process in that you always must move to the next gear, either higher or lower, as with a motorcycle. For instance, you must shift up from first to fourth gear by going through second and third gears, with no way of skipping either of them.

Autostick automatically prevents you from damaging the engine by exceeding its 6,500-r.p.m. redline and causing the V-6 to scatter its parts all over the landscape.

Chrysler has thought of everything. For instance, Autostick makes the Vision automatically shift into first gear when it slows to a stop. A driver thus isn't sitting there trying to start out in fourth gear.

A lighted indicator near the speedometer tells what gear the car is in when the Autostick manual mode is used. But the indicator should be placed near the tachometer; one shifts according to engine speed shown by the ``tach''--not road speed shown by the speedometer.

Don't confuse the limited manual shifting of conventional automatics with the manual shifting of Autostick. While a conventional automatic has a mind of its own when you put it in the drive position, you can use such an automatic's shifter in a limited way. You can, say, move the shifter from the Drive position to second gear. But then you're stuck in second gear with nowhere to go but back to the drive position.

With Autostick, a clutch suddenly seems like a bothersome, old-fashioned device. And you can use Autostick in a variety of helpful ways.

For instance, you can put it in first gear for fast takeoffs or in second or third gear to prevent wheelspin when starting out on slippery surfaces. You can use it for downshifting to allow engine braking to help the brakes when driving down mountain roads--and also to use a lower gear for better acceleration during steep uphill drives. While passing, Autostick can be used for instant downshifts to get around vehicles more quickly. And you can use it for better control on winding roads.

The Vision TSi would be a good buy with a conventional transmission. Autostick is icing on the cake.