1999 Chrysler LHS Elegance and panache at any speed. By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief, New Car Test Drive .com

Surely this car influenced the folks at Mercedes-Benz before closing the recent Daimler-Chrysler mega-merger. The 1999 Chrysler LHS is a beautiful car. Its big egg-crate grille, sculptured headlamps and fluted hood show once again Chrysler isn't afraid to step out of the box. Its designers have forged ahead, leaving the rest of Detroit and much of the world back in the 1990s. LHS fills out Chrysler's line of expressive leading-edge designs.

Fortunately, the distinctive design is backed up by the driving experience. Totally new for 1999, the LHS is a joy to drive. It rides smoothly and handles remarkably well for a full-size front-wheel-drive sedan.