Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Chrysler Horizon shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Chrysler Horizon offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Chrysler Horizon at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Chrysler Horizon? Wrong! If the Chrysler Horizon is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Chrysler Horizon then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Chrysler Horizon? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Chrysler Horizon and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Chrysler Horizon wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Chrysler Horizon then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Chrysler Horizon site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Chrysler Horizon, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Chrysler Horizon, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Automobile| boxcolor = darkgreen| name = Chrysler/Simca/Talbot Horizon| image = | manufacturer =
Chrysler CorporationPSA Group| layout = [FF layout| body_style = 5-door [hatchback
1.3 L [Straight-4
1.5 L Straight-4
1.9 L
diesel Straight-4| predecessor =
Simca 1100| aka = Simca Horizon
Talbot Horizon| related = [Dodge Charger (L-body)Dodge OmniDodge Omni 024Dodge Rampage
Plymouth HorizonPlymouth Horizon TC3
Plymouth ScampPlymouth Turismo
Simca Alpine-->
The
Horizon, was a
subcompact automobile developed by Chrysler Europe and was sold in Europe between 1977 and 1985 under the Chrysler, Simca and Talbot nameplates. A derivative version of the Horizon was also in the United States under the
Dodge (car) and Plymouth (car) marques until 1990.
Origins
The Horizon was designed by
Simca, the France division of Chrysler Europe in the 1970s and introduced in 1977. It survived in various guises until 1990. In France it was initially sold originally under the Simca brand, whilst elsewhere in Europe it was initially badged as a Chrysler (including the United Kingdom, where it fitted into a Chrysler range which also included former Hillman models). As a result of the acquisition of Chrysler's European car division by Peugeot in 1978, both the Chrysler and Simca brands were dropped and the car was then sold under the Talbot brand in all its European markets.
The Horizon, or Project C2 as it was known inside Simca during development, was intended to be a "world car", meaning that it was designed for consumers on both sides of the
Atlantic Ocean, but in execution, the European and
North American versions of the vehicle actually turned out to have very little in common.
Born largely out of the need to replace the ageing Simca 1100, the Horizon was essentially a shortened version of the larger
Chrysler/Simca Alpine model, giving the vehicle an unusually wide track for its length. Featuring Simca 1100 engine of Simca-designed 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 L
overhead valve engines, and
torsion-bar suspension, the Horizon gained praise for its crisp styling, supple ride, and competent handling. It was voted European Car of the Year in 1978. Its launch saw to the end of the 1100 and the rear-engined Simca 1000.
The Horizon was the first British-built hatchback of this size - launched two years before the
Vauxhall Astra, three years before the Ford Escort and five years before the
Austin Maestro. It did not officially replace any of the British Chryslers, despite being a similar size to the traditional rear-wheel drive Hillman Avenger saloon and estates which had been on sale since 1970 and did not finish production until 1981.
North American variants - "Omnirizon"
The North American versions of the Horizon were known as the
Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon. Although they appeared to share the same external panelwork as the European Horizon (the panels were in fact not interchangeable), they were vastly different mechanically — using a larger engine (of Volkswagen origins) and
MacPherson strut suspension at the front instead of the more complex torsion bar arrangement. They also sported much heavier looking Bumper (automobile)s so as to comply with stricter US
safety legislation. Despite the car's European origins, then Chrysler chairman
Lee Iacocca played this down, emphasizing that features such as the
trip computer and electronic ignition were of American design.
Production life
In Europe, the Horizon had a turbulent existence. The collapse of Chrysler Europe in 1978 and its subsequent sale to Peugeot meant that the car was hurriedly rebadged using the exhumed Talbot brand for the remainder of its life.
In 1981, Series II models were introduced, with some minor improvements. By then however, the Horizon was becoming increasingly uncompetitive next to rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf,
General Motors Astra and the third generation
Ford Escort. The rattly and unrefined ohv engines which had been carried over from the Simca 1100 were largely to blame, while body corrosion was a serious issue, at least until Series II, giving many cars a short service life.
The main production lines of Talbot Horizon were
Poissy factory in France and
Ryton-on-Dunsmore in England. It was also manufactured in Spain and in Finland by
Saab-Valmet from 1979 onwards. The Finnish Talbot Horizons integrated many
Saab Automobile components, especially in the interior.
The Horizon was produced in France and also Britain (where production had begun in the 1980s) until the end of 1985, and in
Spain and Finland until 1987, when it was replaced by the Peugeot 309, a car developed in the UK, originally destined to be sold as the Talbot Arizona. The end of Horizon production in 1987 also marked the end of the Talbot badge on passenger cars. However, the North American version of the car continued to be produced until 1990.
The PSA XUD9 diesel engine of 1905 cc
diesel engine was fitted to certain models of the Horizon, which was the first example of this engine available in the UK. All UK diesel Horizons were made in Spain. The Peugeot-Talbot brochure of October 1984 shows the only diesel Horizon being the LD1.9, the XUD9 engine only available in the Peugeot 305 GRD as well. The Horizon was not the first diesel in the Talbot family of cars with the
Chrysler 180 in Spain being powered by diesel.
The Peugeot 309 continued to use the Horizon range of Simca based engines in early life, until replaced with the more modern Peugeot TU, XU and XUD engines.
Horizon in the UK
In Britain, it was seen as a modern alternative to the existing Rootes-designed
Chrysler Avenger models, offering buyers a front-wheel drive hatchback alongside the rear-wheel drive saloon. The Avenger was produced alongside it until 1981. UK sales of the Horizon were initially quite strong, but within five years of its launch it was starting to lose sales in a segment dominated by an increasing number of newer models including the Ford Escort,
Vauxhall Astra, Austin Maestro and
Volkswagen Golf.
The last British Horzions were sold in 1986, soon after the launch of Peugeot Ryton Peugeot 309 which was based on the
Peugeot 205, which was originally intended to be sold as the
Talbot Arizona and was to use much of the Horizon's underpinnings.
The Horizon is now a rare sight on British roads, as many were accounted for by rust and mechanical problems. In eight years on sale in the UK, it failed to live up to the maker's expectations and as time passed it became an increasingly less viable competitor for market leaders such as the
Ford Escort and even the Vauxhall Astra and Austin Maestro.
Specifications range
{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; width: 50%;"|-|
Capacity|1118–1905 cc|-|
Power|59–90 hp|-|
Max. speed| – |-|
Acceleration|0–60 mp/h: 17.9–11.4 seconds|}
Models
The Horizon was available as the following versions:
- 1100 GL
- 1300 GL
- 1300 GLX
- 1500 GLS
- 1600 GLS
- 1.3 LX
- 1500 SPL (limited edition)
External links
- The Chrysler Horizon and Simca 1100
- Chrysler Horizon cars
- Simca Matra Talbot Club UK.
{{Infobox Automobile| boxcolor = darkgreen| name = Chrysler/Simca/Talbot Horizon| image = | manufacturer = Chrysler Corporation
PSA Group| layout = [FF layout| body_style = 5-door [hatchback
1.3 L [Straight-41.5 L Straight-4
1.9 L
diesel Straight-4| predecessor =
Simca 1100| aka = Simca Horizon
Talbot Horizon| related = [Dodge Charger (L-body)Dodge Omni
Dodge Omni 024
Dodge RampagePlymouth Horizon
Plymouth Horizon TC3Plymouth Scamp
Plymouth TurismoSimca Alpine-->
The
Horizon, was a subcompact automobile developed by Chrysler Europe and was sold in Europe between 1977 and 1985 under the Chrysler,
Simca and
Talbot nameplates. A derivative version of the Horizon was also in the
United States under the
Dodge (car) and Plymouth (car) marques until 1990.
Origins
The Horizon was designed by Simca, the France division of
Chrysler Europe in the 1970s and introduced in 1977. It survived in various guises until 1990. In France it was initially sold originally under the Simca brand, whilst elsewhere in Europe it was initially badged as a Chrysler (including the
United Kingdom, where it fitted into a Chrysler range which also included former
Hillman models). As a result of the acquisition of Chrysler's European car division by
Peugeot in 1978, both the Chrysler and Simca brands were dropped and the car was then sold under the Talbot brand in all its European markets.
The Horizon, or Project C2 as it was known inside Simca during development, was intended to be a "world car", meaning that it was designed for consumers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but in execution, the European and North American versions of the vehicle actually turned out to have very little in common.
Born largely out of the need to replace the ageing
Simca 1100, the Horizon was essentially a shortened version of the larger Chrysler/Simca Alpine model, giving the vehicle an unusually wide track for its length. Featuring
Simca 1100 engine of Simca-designed 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 L
overhead valve engines, and torsion-bar suspension, the Horizon gained praise for its crisp styling, supple ride, and competent handling. It was voted European
Car of the Year in 1978. Its launch saw to the end of the 1100 and the rear-engined Simca 1000.
The Horizon was the first British-built hatchback of this size - launched two years before the
Vauxhall Astra, three years before the Ford Escort and five years before the Austin Maestro. It did not officially replace any of the British Chryslers, despite being a similar size to the traditional rear-wheel drive
Hillman Avenger saloon and estates which had been on sale since 1970 and did not finish production until 1981.
North American variants - "Omnirizon"
The North American versions of the Horizon were known as the
Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon. Although they appeared to share the same external panelwork as the European Horizon (the panels were in fact not interchangeable), they were vastly different mechanically — using a larger engine (of
Volkswagen origins) and
MacPherson strut suspension at the front instead of the more complex torsion bar arrangement. They also sported much heavier looking
Bumper (automobile)s so as to comply with stricter US
safety legislation. Despite the car's European origins, then Chrysler chairman
Lee Iacocca played this down, emphasizing that features such as the
trip computer and electronic
ignition were of American design.
Production life
In Europe, the Horizon had a turbulent existence. The collapse of Chrysler Europe in 1978 and its subsequent sale to Peugeot meant that the car was hurriedly rebadged using the exhumed Talbot brand for the remainder of its life.
In 1981, Series II models were introduced, with some minor improvements. By then however, the Horizon was becoming increasingly uncompetitive next to rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf,
General Motors Astra and the third generation
Ford Escort. The rattly and unrefined ohv engines which had been carried over from the Simca 1100 were largely to blame, while body corrosion was a serious issue, at least until Series II, giving many cars a short service life.
The main production lines of Talbot Horizon were
Poissy factory in France and Ryton-on-Dunsmore in England. It was also manufactured in Spain and in Finland by
Saab-Valmet from 1979 onwards. The Finnish Talbot Horizons integrated many Saab Automobile components, especially in the interior.
The Horizon was produced in France and also Britain (where production had begun in the 1980s) until the end of 1985, and in
Spain and Finland until 1987, when it was replaced by the
Peugeot 309, a car developed in the UK, originally destined to be sold as the Talbot Arizona. The end of Horizon production in 1987 also marked the end of the Talbot badge on passenger cars. However, the North American version of the car continued to be produced until 1990.
The PSA XUD9 diesel engine of 1905 cc diesel engine was fitted to certain models of the Horizon, which was the first example of this engine available in the UK. All UK diesel Horizons were made in Spain. The Peugeot-Talbot brochure of October 1984 shows the only diesel Horizon being the LD1.9, the XUD9 engine only available in the Peugeot 305 GRD as well. The Horizon was not the first diesel in the Talbot family of cars with the Chrysler 180 in Spain being powered by diesel.
The Peugeot 309 continued to use the Horizon range of Simca based engines in early life, until replaced with the more modern Peugeot TU, XU and XUD engines.
Horizon in the UK
In Britain, it was seen as a modern alternative to the existing Rootes-designed
Chrysler Avenger models, offering buyers a front-wheel drive hatchback alongside the rear-wheel drive saloon. The Avenger was produced alongside it until 1981. UK sales of the Horizon were initially quite strong, but within five years of its launch it was starting to lose sales in a segment dominated by an increasing number of newer models including the Ford Escort,
Vauxhall Astra, Austin Maestro and Volkswagen Golf.
The last British Horzions were sold in 1986, soon after the launch of Peugeot
Ryton Peugeot 309 which was based on the
Peugeot 205, which was originally intended to be sold as the
Talbot Arizona and was to use much of the Horizon's underpinnings.
The Horizon is now a rare sight on British roads, as many were accounted for by rust and mechanical problems. In eight years on sale in the UK, it failed to live up to the maker's expectations and as time passed it became an increasingly less viable competitor for market leaders such as the
Ford Escort and even the Vauxhall Astra and Austin Maestro.
Specifications range
{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; width: 50%;"|-|
Capacity|1118–1905 cc|-|
Power|59–90 hp|-|
Max. speed| – |-|
Acceleration|0–60 mp/h: 17.9–11.4 seconds|}
Models
The Horizon was available as the following versions:
- 1100 GL
- 1300 GL
- 1300 GLX
- 1500 GLS
- 1600 GLS
- 1.3 LX
- 1500 SPL (limited edition)
External links
- The Chrysler Horizon and Simca 1100
- Chrysler Horizon cars
- Simca Matra Talbot Club UK.
Chrysler Horizon
he Horizon was simultaneously launched in Europe and the USA in December 1977. Chrysler had had ambitions that the Horizon would become its world car, loved by everyone from Italy ...
Chrysler/SIMCA Horizon Index Page
The Horizon was simultaneously launched in Europe and the USA in December 1977. Chrysler had ambitions that the Horizon would become its world car, loved by everyone from Italy to ...
Rootes-Chrysler.co.uk - covering Chrysler Europe, Rootes Group, and ...
Chrysler Horizon Cars The Horizon was simultaneously launched in Europe and the USA in December 1977. Chrysler had ambitions that the Horizon would become its world car, loved by ...
Rootes-Chrysler.co.uk - covering Chrysler Europe, Rootes Group, and ...
The Horizon was to be the last “Chrysler Europe” car to be produced, surviving in the US into 1990, and in some versions - including the Dodge Omni GLHS - continued the ...
Chrysler Horizon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Horizon, was a subcompact automobile developed by Chrysler Europe and was sold in Europe between 1977 and 1985 under the Chrysler, Simca and Talbot nameplates.
Category:Talbot Horizon - Wikimedia Commons
Media in category "Talbot Horizon" The following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total.
Amazon.co.uk: Chrysler Omni, Horizon, Rampage (1978-89) (Chilton Total ...
Amazon.co.uk: Chrysler Omni, Horizon, Rampage (1978-89) (Chilton Total Car Care): Chilton Book Company, Chilton's Automotives Editorial, Chilton: Books ...
Chrysler HORIZON Car Insurance | Go Compare
Looking for cheap Chrysler HORIZON car insurance? Then Go Compare Chrysler HORIZON car insurance quotes with Gocompare.com
Chrysler Horizon and Simca 1100
Site dedicated to little known facts about the original Eurosedan (for example, the "Peugeot" engine in early Omni/Horizons was actually a Chrysler design)
Chrysler Horizon - Wikipedia
La Horizon era una vettura di fascia medio bassa, prodotta dalla sezione europea della Chrysler nel 1977 e nel 1978, e dal Gruppo PSA con marchio Talbot dal 1979 al 1985.
