Plymouth Laser - Overview

Overview

Introduced as "The First Plymouth of the 90's" in advertising, the Plymouth Laser debuted in January 1989 as a 1990 model. Promotional commercials for the 1990 Laser featured R&B singer Tina Turner who was featured in a series of 1990 promotional ads for Plymouth. With three engine offerings, two transmission offerings, and sporty "aero" styling, the Laser was the most performance-oriented Plymouth since the Barracuda, Duster, and Road Runner muscle cars of the 1970s.

Despite its close resemblance to its Mitsubishi and Eagle siblings, the Laser was slightly more upscale, having several unique styling cues intended to set it apart from the other two. Apart from badging, Lasers sported a racey look, with a plastic panel in the place of a grille, a full rear lightbar, a bulge on the hood for 2.0 L engined models (not necessarily turbocharged), and available stylish "lace" patterned alloy wheels. RS, or "Rallye Sport", models were set apart from the base model by their black roof with body color targa band, power steering, lower bodyside accent striping, dual power mirrors, as well as an array of options not available on base Lasers.

Base Lasers carried a 92 hp (69 kW) 1.8 L 4-cylinder engine, whereas a 135 hp (101 kW), 2.0 L DOHC 4-cylinder was optional with the Laser RS. The top-of-the-line RS Turbo used a turbocharged 2.0 L rated at 195 hp (145 kW). A 5-speed manual transmission was standard. A 4-speed automatic was optional, except with the turbocharged engine, which could only be ordered with the manual transmission until 1991 models debuted.