Simca Horizon
| Chrysler Horizon | |
|---|---|
1979 Talbot Horizon
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
Chrysler PSA Group Saab-Valmet |
| Also called | Chrysler Horizon (UK: 1978-79) Talbot Horizon (Europe: 1979-1986) |
| Production | 1978–1987 |
| Assembly |
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| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact (B) |
| Body style | Hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | L-body |
| Related |
Dodge Charger Dodge Omni Dodge Omni 024 Dodge Rampage Plymouth Horizon Plymouth Horizon TC3 Plymouth Scamp Plymouth Turismo |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,118 cc Poissy I4 (gasoline) 1,294 cc Poissy I4 (gasoline) 1,442 cc Poissy I4 (gasoline) 1,905 cc I4 (diesel) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Simca 1100 |
| Successor | Peugeot 309 |
The Horizon is a supermini developed by Chrysler Europe and sold in Europe between 1978 and 1987 under the Chrysler, Simca, and Talbot nameplates. Derivative variants of the Horizon were manufactured and marketed in the United States and Canada as the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon until 1990.
The Horizon was developed by Chrysler Europe under the codename C2. It was designed in the United Kingdom at the Whitley design studio by Roy Axe and engineered in France at Poissy by Simca as a replacement for their ageing 1100 range. It was introduced to market in summer 1978. In France it was initially sold under the Simca brand, whilst elsewhere in Europe it was initially badged as a Chrysler. 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 was intended to be a "world car", meaning that it was designed for consumers on both sides of the Atlantic, 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 in France, the Horizon was essentially a shortened version of the larger Alpine model, giving the vehicle an unusually wide track for its length. Featuring "Poissy engine" of transversely mounted, Simca-designed 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 litre OHV engines, 4-speed gearbox and torsion-bar suspension, the Horizon gained praise for its crisp styling, supple ride, and competent handling. The SX version which joined the range for the Paris Motor Show, in October 1978, attracted much interest on account of its innovative trip computer. The device took information from three sources, a clock, a "débitmètre" mounted on the fuel feed to the carburetor and a distance information from the feed for the odometer. Using these three pieces of information the "computer" was able to report current fuel consumption and average speeds as well as information on distances and times.
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