Dodge Dynasty

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.

Specification

A 2.5-litre inline-4 Chrysler engine, a Mitsubishi-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).

International versions

In Canada 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.