Dodge Spirit: Американдық орта класты седан туралы ақпарат

American car model
the mid size sedan by Dodge

The Dodge Spirit is a midsize automobile marketed by Dodge from the 1989 to the 1995 model years. The singular successor of the Dodge Aries, Dodge Lancer, and the Dodge 600 (initially marketed alongside the former), the Spirit was slotted between the Shadow and the Dynasty within the Dodge product line. In contrast to its predecessors, the Spirit was sold exclusively as a four door notchback sedan. The Spirit used the Chrysler AA platform, an extended wheelbase variation of the Chrysler K platform. A design used across all three Chrysler divisions, the Spirit was marketed with alongside the Plymouth Acclaim and the 1990 1994 Chrysler LeBaron sedan. The model line was exported to Europe under the Chrysler Saratoga nameplate. Chrysler assembled the Spirit alongside the Acclaim and LeBaron sedan at Newark Assembly (Newark, Delaware) and Toluca Car Assembly (Toluca, Mexico). The final example was produced on December 9, 1994. For 1995, the Dodge Stratus replaced the Spirit.

The Spirit could accommodate six people with an optional front split bench seat. It had a solid beam rear axle, and a MacPherson strut front suspension. The Spirit differed from the other A bodies primarily in the grille and rear lamp styling, and in the availability of a sportier, higher performing R/T version.

The base engine for Spirit and Spirit LE models was a TBI 4 cylinder engine producing Optional on all models except the Spirit R/T was a , L V6 made by Mitsubishi. Also available in 1989 through 1992—and standard equipment on the Spirit ES—was a turbocharged version of the 2.5 L engine. In 1993, 1994, and 1995, a flexible fuel Spirit was offered, powered by a multipoint fuel injected version of the 2.5 L engine specially modified to run on fuel containing up to 85% methanol. The R/T version came with a powerful DOHC turbo III with cylinder head engineered and made by Lotus. This engine was rated at and
Several five speed manual transmissions were available with the naturally aspirated and turbocharged 4 cylinder engines, but relatively few Spirits were equipped with manual transmissions. All the Spirit R/Ts came with the A 568 heavy duty 5 speed manual transmission. From 1989 to 1991, all V6 Spirits came with the electronic four speed A604 overdrive automatic, which became optional equipment in 1992 and remained optional until 1995. The three speed Torqueflite automatic was the most popular installation on 4 cylinder Spirits, and was also standard equipment with the V6 engine from 1992 through 1995. A 5 speed manual was offered with the V6 engine in the smaller Shadow, but this combination was not available in the Spirit.

1990 – A driver airbag was added as standard equipment. 1991 – Anti lock four wheel disk brake system was added as a new option. 1992 – A 3 speed automatic transmission became available with the V6 engine. 1993 – A facelift included a body color grille with the Dodge crossbars theme and new full width taillamps that despite their amber lower sections, did not include amber rear turn signals. Only two trim levels went on sale: Highline and ES. The Chrysler corporate Pentastar emblem was replaced with the brand's new RAM emblem. Stainless steel exhaust system and tinted glass became standard on all Spirits. 1994 – A motorized passenger's side seat belt was added to U. S. market Spirits to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208's requirement for passive restraints. These motorized belts do not comply with Canada's safety standards; Canadian market Spirits continued to use a manual passenger seatbelt, and 1994–1995 Spirits therefore cannot legally be permanently imported across the US/Canada border in either direction. 1995 – The 2.5 L engine received a slightly revised cylinder head, and both the 4 speed A604 automatic transmission and anti lock brakes were dropped from the option list. Otherwise, the Spirit remained mostly unchanged, much as it had throughout its six year run.

In 1991, Chrysler introduced the Spirit R/T, featuring a version of the 2.2 L engine with a 16 valve DOHC head designed by Lotus, who won a design competition against Maserati and Hans Hermann. Fed by a Garrett intercooled turbocharger, the Turbo III engine produced and The R/T also featured unique interior and exterior trims. The only transmission was a heavy duty A568 5 speed manual transmission built by Chrysler's New Process Gear division, with a gearset supplied by Getrag. Heavy duty vented four wheel disc brakes were standard equipment, with optional anti lock brakes. Color keyed 15 inch alloy wheels were standard, with P205/60R15 tires. At the time, the R/T was advertised as "the fastest sedan made in America", and one of the quickest performance sedans under $40,000, with Chrysler placing its performance above the BMW M5. It could reach in 5.8 seconds, according to Car and Driver, making it one of the quickest front wheel drive cars ever offered in the American market. It was chosen as Motor Trend magazine's "Domestic Sport Sedan of the Year", beating the Ford Taurus SHO for 1991 and 1992. All R/Ts were built in Mexico. A total of 1,208 were sold in the U. S. in 1991 – 774 in red and 434 in white. An additional 191 were sold in the U. S. in 1992 – 92 red, 68 white, and 31 silver. The only discernible changes for 1992 were a lower first gear ratio for reduced turbo lag, woodgrain dashboard trim as used on the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, blacked out upper and lower grille inserts, clear rather than amber lenses for the front parking and turn signal lights, and a speedometer calibrated to rather than .