Plymouth Caravelle

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Plymouth Caravelle
Manufacturer	Plymouth
Parent company	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1985-1988 (U.S.) 1983-1988 (Canada)
Predecessor	Chrysler E-Class
Successor	Plymouth Acclaim
Class	Mid-size
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 2-door coupe
Layout	FF layout
Platform	E-body (Sedan) K-body (Coupe)
Engine(s)	2.2 L K I4 2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.5 L K I4 2.6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4
Transmission(s)	5-speed A520 manual 5-speed A525 manual 3-speed A413 automatic 3-speed A470 automatic
Wheelbase	103.3 in (2624 mm)
Length	185.2 in (4704 mm)
Width	68.0 in (1727 mm)
Height	53.1 in (1349 mm)
Curb weight	2598 lb (1178 kg)
Fuel capacity	14 US gallons (53.0 L/11.7 imp gal)
Related	Chrysler New Yorker Dodge 600

For the pre-1982 Plymouth Caravelle and 1983-1989 Caravelle Salon sold in Canada, see Plymouth Gran Fury.

The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-sized sedan that was originally a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600. It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim in 1989.

[edit] United States

For 1985, Chrysler dropped its unsuccessful entry-level variant of the E platform, the Chrysler E-Class (the idea of a more mainstream Chrysler was not well received by consumers). Even though the Dodge 600 was mainstream, Dodges were not generally sold with Chryslers, so rather than only having the upscale New Yorker on Chrysler-Plymouth dealer lots, the former E-class was given a new grille, and thus the U.S. Caravelle was born. This model was slotted between the compact Reliant K and the large rear-wheel drive Gran Fury.

For its first year the Caravelle came in one trim level with a number of standard features, the Caravelle SE. These standard features including: AM/FM stereo, power windows, power locks, power adjustable mirrors, deck lid release, cruise control, air conditioning, and a 50/50 split-folding front bench seat, with dual recliners. For 1986, the Caravelle was given a facelift, which rounded many of the sharp angles, giving it a more aerodynamic appearance. Also from 1986 onward, a base model was offered, without some of the standard features of the "SE". The Caravelle continued in the U.S. until 1988, when it was replaced by the new A body Acclaim for 1989. Unlike the identical Canadian Caravelle, a 2-door coupe model was never offered in the U.S.

[edit] Engines

• 2.2L I4 - 96 hp (72 kW) and 119 ft·lbf (161 N·m) of torque - 1985-1988
• 2.2L I4 Turbo - 146 hp (109 kW) and 168 ft·lbf (228 N·m) of torque - 1985-1988
• 2.5L I4 - 100 hp (75 kW) and 136 ft·lbf (184 N·m) of torque - 1986-1988
• 2.6L I4 - 1986 (replaced by Chrysler's 2.5 L engine)

[edit] Trim levels

Trim levels for U.S. version, 1985-1988

• SE - 1985-1988
• base - 1986-1988

[edit] Canada

In Canada, the Caravelle first appeared for the 1977 model year, as a version of the Dodge Diplomat for Canadian Chrysler-Plymouth dealers. As all Chrysler Canada dealers sold Chryslers, only the top of the line LeBaron was sold in Canada, and the Diplomat and Caravelle did not offer the top line models. In 1983, Chrysler Canada added the E-body version of the Dodge 600, also calling it the Caravelle. The rear wheel drive Caravelle then became the Caravelle Salon, rather than taking the American "Gran Fury" name. Also in 1983, Chrysler Canada added a Caravelle version of the Dodge 400 2-door coupe. Thus the Caravelle came in three sizes based on three platforms - K, E, and M.

The coupe was dropped after 1986 while sedan production came to an end in 1988. Like the U.S. version, the Canadian Caravelle was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim for 1989. The Caravelle Salon, which was the original rear wheel drive version, survived until 1989.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Plymouth Caravelle

• Allpar.com - Plymouth Caravelle front wheel drive
• Allpar.com - Plymouth Caravelle Salon rear whell drive