Dodge Dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Dodge
Dynasty was a front-wheel drive
sedan that was introduced in 1987 as a 1988 model to replace the 600
as Dodge
's mid-size car
. The Dodge Dynasty was related to the Chrysler New Yorker
; both car lines were built on the Chrysler C platform
in Belvidere, Illinois
.
The Dynasty is also similar to the Chrysler Imperial
, which was available from 1990 to 1993 on an extended wheelbase as was the Fifth Avenue version of the Chrysler New Yorker
.
-sourced 3.0-litre V6
, the 6G72 engine, and a Chrysler
-built 3.3-litre V6 were available, although the 3.3 L V6 was not available until 1990. The four-cylinder and 3.0 L V6 were available with an TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission (the A413 on the 4 cylinder and the A670 on the 6 cylinder engines), while the 3.3 L was offered solely with Chrysler's then-new electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission
, known as the Ultradrive or A604 (List of Chrysler transmissions).
Dynasty models were all equipped with a driver's side airbag from 1990 to 1993.
A Bendix antilock braking system was available on all models during those years as well. The 1993 models were the only year to feature a stainless steel exhaust system and a tamper-proof odometer.
Although fairly popular, the Lee Iacocca
-dictated styling was boxy and conservative compared to aerodynamically styled competitors such as the Ford Taurus.
Production ended on May 28, 1993, and the Belvidere plant was retooled to build the Dodge Neon. The Dynasty was replaced by the smaller Stratus
for the United States
, while in Canada
, Chrysler, in turn, replaced it with the Intrepid
. Chrysler also introdued the Dodge
brand in Mexico
as Chrysler replaced the Dynasty in Mexico with the Intrepid as well, just like in Canada.
It is most likely that Chrysler named its late 1980s and early 1990s C cars on a "royalty" theme—stemming from the classic Imperial badge—to attract customers, including the Chrysler Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue and the standard Chrysler New Yorker (the Dynasty was considered the budget auto of the three, with the standard New Yorker in the middle and the Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue as the top of the line model).
and Mexico
it was marketed as the Chrysler Dynasty. In Mexico, the cars were only available with the V6 engine. In Canada the four-cylinder variant was available, but seldom ordered.
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
Dynasty was a front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
sedan that was introduced in 1987 as a 1988 model to replace the 600
Dodge 600
The 600 was Dodge's version of the Chrysler E-Class luxury car of the 1980s. It was introduced in 1982, as a 1983 model, as a small mid-size car on the Chrysler E platform and was discontinued after the 1988 model year. It was Chrysler's attempt to compete with the GM A-body, whereas the M-body...
as Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
's mid-size car
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
. The Dodge Dynasty was related to the Chrysler New Yorker
Chrysler New Yorker
The Chrysler New Yorker was a premium automobile built by the Chrysler Corporation from 1939–1996, serving for several years as the brand's flagship model. A model named the "New York Special" first appeared in the 1930s...
; both car lines were built on the Chrysler C platform
Chrysler C platform
Chrysler's C platform was the basis for rear wheel drive full-size cars from 1965 to 1978. Although often misclassified, 1964 and earlier full-size Chrysler products, and 1966 and earlier Imperials are not C-bodies.Wheelbases:* 119 in...
in Belvidere, Illinois
Belvidere, Illinois
Belvidere is a city in Boone County, Illinois, United States. The population was 25,585 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Boone County. Belvidere is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
The Dynasty is also similar to the Chrysler Imperial
Chrysler Imperial
The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was the company's top of the range vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, and again from 1990 to 1993. The company tried to position the cars as a prestige marque that would rival Cadillac and Lincoln...
, which was available from 1990 to 1993 on an extended wheelbase as was the Fifth Avenue version of the Chrysler New Yorker
Chrysler New Yorker
The Chrysler New Yorker was a premium automobile built by the Chrysler Corporation from 1939–1996, serving for several years as the brand's flagship model. A model named the "New York Special" first appeared in the 1930s...
.
Specification
A 2.5-litre inline-4 Chrysler engine, a MitsubishiMitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
-sourced 3.0-litre V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
, the 6G72 engine, and a Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
-built 3.3-litre V6 were available, although the 3.3 L V6 was not available until 1990. The four-cylinder and 3.0 L V6 were available with an TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission (the A413 on the 4 cylinder and the A670 on the 6 cylinder engines), while the 3.3 L was offered solely with Chrysler's then-new electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, known as the Ultradrive or A604 (List of Chrysler transmissions).
Dynasty models were all equipped with a driver's side airbag from 1990 to 1993.
A Bendix antilock braking system was available on all models during those years as well. The 1993 models were the only year to feature a stainless steel exhaust system and a tamper-proof odometer.
Although fairly popular, the Lee Iacocca
Lee Iacocca
Lido Anthony "Lee" Iacocca is an American businessman known for engineering the Mustang, the unsuccessful Ford Pinto, being fired from Ford Motor Company, and his revival of the Chrysler Corporation in the 1980s...
-dictated styling was boxy and conservative compared to aerodynamically styled competitors such as the Ford Taurus.
Production ended on May 28, 1993, and the Belvidere plant was retooled to build the Dodge Neon. The Dynasty was replaced by the smaller Stratus
Dodge Stratus
The Dodge Stratus was a mid-size 4-door sedan introduced in 1995. It was based on the Chrysler JA platform Cab forward . The Stratus, Breeze, and Cirrus were all on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. It received critical acclaim at launch, but ratings fell over time...
for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, while in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Chrysler, in turn, replaced it with the Intrepid
Dodge Intrepid
The Dodge Intrepid is a large four-door, full-size, front-wheel drive sedan car model that was produced for model years 1993 to 2004. It was mechanically related to the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler New Yorker, Eagle Vision, and also the 300M sedans...
. Chrysler also introdued the Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
brand in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as Chrysler replaced the Dynasty in Mexico with the Intrepid as well, just like in Canada.
It is most likely that Chrysler named its late 1980s and early 1990s C cars on a "royalty" theme—stemming from the classic Imperial badge—to attract customers, including the Chrysler Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue and the standard Chrysler New Yorker (the Dynasty was considered the budget auto of the three, with the standard New Yorker in the middle and the Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue as the top of the line model).
International versions
In CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
it was marketed as the Chrysler Dynasty. In Mexico, the cars were only available with the V6 engine. In Canada the four-cylinder variant was available, but seldom ordered.