A LARGE car with a 2.0-litre engine, leather upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control and alloy wheels, all for less than £13,500. That'll be the Dae . . . actually, that'll be the Chrysler.

The new Neon offers an attractive blend of space, equipment and competitive pricing giving a value-for-money package, which is set to continue its position as a UK favourite.

The original car arrived here in 1996, marking the rebirth of the Chrysler marque in the UK, and quickly emerged as a showroom success. The UK rapidly became the top-selling market for the Neon in Europe with about 10,000 on the road.

The new range, which starts in price at £10,995, consists of two models - 2.0 SE and 2.0 LX - and comes with a choice of five speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic transmission at no extra cost.

Quieter, better-built and better finished than the original Neon, the new Illinois-built models look set to be just as successful as their predecessors. Distinctive looks house a new, roomier and altogether classier interior. On the move the car has much-reduced noise, much-improved ride and greater to attention to detail including more efficient headlights and windscreen wipers. Power comes from a proven 131 horsepower, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, which has a potential top speed of 124mph but, more importantly, has the ability to deliver fuel consumption of close to 40 miles per gallon.

The low-cost Neon 2.0 SE is fitted as standard with air conditioning, twin air bags, power assisted steering, remote control alarm/immobiliser plus six speaker stereo radio cassette player.

The test model, the LX, has all the specification of the SE and includes additional equipment, ranging from anti-lock brakes, traction control, 15-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery to a height-adjustable driver's seat, leather-covered steering wheel and wood grain trim. In addition, the LX Automatic is fitted with cruise control as standard.

The front of the car has a stronger look and the grille contains - for the first time in the UK - the new worldwide winged emblem symbol for the Chrysler brand.

Chrysler research shows the car has attracted a loyal customer base in the UK, but while the car appeals to younger driver in the US, Chrysler found in the UK that:

The average age of a Neon buyer is 53

86 per cent are married and largely male

More than three quarters are without children living at home.

While more than a third are retired, almost the same number have high profile jobs. For nearly half, Neon is the only household transport.

Chrysler believes the no-cost automatic transmission option looks set to be a popular choice on Neon 2000.

On the previous Neon, about 70 per cent of customers took up this option while 85 per cent of all Neons sold were the top specification versions.

As with all Chrysler and Jeep models sold in the UK, the package includes a three-year/60,000 mile warranty plus three-year roadside assistance and six-year anti-corrosion cover.

Auto facts

Model: Chrysler Neon LX Automatic

Price: £13,495 on the road

Insurance group: 12P

Fuel consumption:

24.4 mpg Urban

39.8 mpg Extra Urban

32.5 mpg Combined

Top speed: 121 mph

Fuel tank: 10.4 gallons

Comfort: Excellent

Luggage space: 13.1 cu ft

Length: 172.8in

Width: 67.3in

Story date: Wednesday 16 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.