The 2001 CHRYSLER LHS LUXURY SEDAN- Chrysler's LHS offers an elegant design in a big luxury sedan that makes a statement of status and achievement. Fortunately, the distinctive design is backed up by the driving experience. The LHS is a joy to drive. It rides smoothly and handles remarkably well for a full-size front-wheel-drive sedan. Designed to compete with the Buick Park Avenue, Oldsmobile Aurora and Lincoln Continental, the LHS comes standard with just about everything.

After three years, the LHS design still looks great. The big egg-crate grille, sculptured headlamps and fluted hood on the LHS demonstrate Chrysler wasn't afraid to step out of the box.

Graceful, fluid lines emulate the craftsmanship of classic automobiles. It is a classic, yet contemporary design. The LHS looks sleeker than other four-door sedans in its class. The most noticeable design element is its grille, edged in chrome and adorned with a big winged Chrysler medallion. The front fascia on the LHS was engineered to meet federal impact requirements without the need for a visible external bumper. Sculptured headlamp bezels surround compact projector beams with integrated fog lamps and turn signals. The shape they describe flows seamlessly into the fluted aluminum hood. Augmenting the headlamps are driving lights molded into the lower fascia. New windshield pillar moldings reduce wind noise and improve water management.

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The LHS delivers a smooth ride quality, filtering out unwanted vibration without isolating the driver from the road: Noise and vibration, though not the best in the class, are low. The LHS is tuned a bit more in the direction of luxurious ride quality, but it feels extremely stable at high speeds. Steering is direct and precise and is among the best in the class. Quiet when cruising, the engine serves notice with an aggressive growl when provoked. Plenty of power is on tap for accelerating away from intersections, onto freeways and passing cars. A broad torque curve means it's ready to provide instant throttle response at any speed. The automatic transmission selects the appropriate gears and does not hunt excessively. The brakes have been refined and provide good stopping power and pedal feel.

LHS comes with an aluminum 3.5-liter V6, that delivers 250 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque. Designed to deliver power across a broad torque range, it emulates the power characteristics of classic American V8s. With 24 valves and single overhead cams, it delivers an 18-percent increase in power over the cast-iron engine it replaces. It meets the governments Low Emission Vehicle, or LEV, standards for all 50 states. LHS uses the same suspension architecture as the new 300M, but the LHS strut valves were tuned with longer ride motions than on the 300M for a more luxurious ride quality. That's not to say the LHS is sloppy; it provides excellent handling response and agility for a car of its size.

The flowing shapes that grace the exterior are carried through inside: Interior surfaces are soft to the touch for a luxurious feel. No seams are visible where the passenger airbag resides. Elegant white-faced analog gauges, surrounded by thin chrome bezels, use electroluminescent lighting with stylish typefaces that give them a classic look. Flanked by the Chrysler wings, it complements the design theme. Major controls use large twist dials. Very few manufacturers get radios right and the LHS features slider tone controls that are challenging to operate when driving. Fortunately, steering wheel-mounted audio controls have been added for 2001. Power window and door locks switches are bright and the power mirror switches are color-keyed.

Some inside news about Chrysler LHS: The 2001 LHS will boost sales at Chrysler abundantly. Chrysler's LHS represents a big improvement over its predecessor. An elegant interior, solid acceleration performance and excellent handling complement eye-catching styling. With its roomy back seats and generous legroom, it can haul four people in comfortable, luxurious surroundings. Supremely smooth and stable at highway speeds, we could spend many miles in one of these. JH/AutoNetDirect.com

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