Dodge Daytona: Encyclopedia II - Dodge Daytona - 1980s-1990s

Dodge Daytona - 1980s-1990s

In 1984, Dodge issued another Daytona model, a front wheel drive hatchback based on the Chrysler G platform, along with a twin, the Chrysler Laser.

This Daytona used the 2.2L Chrysler K engine in normally-aspirated (93 hp) or turbocharged (142 hp) form. The 96 hp 2.5L K engine was added for 1986. In 1985 the 2.2 Turbo I engine's horsepower was increased to 146 hp.

The 1984 Daytona was available in three trim lines - standard, Turbo and Turbo Z. Total production was 49,347.

The Daytona Turbo was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1984.

Dodge Daytona - Chrysler Laser

The Chrysler Laser was Chrysler's attempt at creating a sporty car for their lineup. The Laser was a virtual clone of the Dodge Daytona. It was produced from 1984 to 1986. The only differences were limited to cosmetics and the use of a digital instrument cluster in the XE trim. The 1984 Laser was available in two trim lines - standard and XE. In mid-1985, the XT trim was added as the top-of-the-line version. The standard, XE and XT trim lines would continue until the Laser's demise in 1986. The turbo version of the Laser could be recognized by its use of black hood louvers. The 2.2 Turbo I engine was only available in the XE and XT trim lines. In 1987, the Chrysler LeBaron was restyled as a more proper sports car and there was no need for the Laser anymore. However, the Laser's luxury performance image would be carried over into the 1987 Dodge Daytona Pacifica model. Production numbers were as follows:

• 1984 - 59,858 (Laser- 33,976/Laser XE- 25,882)
• 1985 - 50,866 (Laser- 29,221/Laser XE- 18,193/Laser XT- 3,452)
• 1986 - 36,672 (Laser- 14,134/Laser XE- 15,549/Laser XT- 6,989)

Dodge Daytona - 1985

Changes were minimal for the Daytona's second year of production. The Turbo Z model was no longer listed as a package but was now a model in its own right. The wrap-around spoiler, formerly exclusive to the Turbo Z model, was now offered on all three models. But the biggest change was under the hood — the 2.2 Turbo was given more power 146 hp (109 kW), and a new shift linkage was added. Total production was 47,519.

Dodge Daytona - 1986

There were numerous changes for the final year of the first generation Daytona. The middle "Turbo" model was dropped, leaving just two models — Base and Turbo Z. Engine changes were also made: A new 2.5L 100 hp (75 kW) 4 cylinder engine was added for the base model. A new targa top package was added to the option list, but just 5,984 Daytona owners chose this option. The biggest addition was the optional C/S (Carroll Shelby) Handling Package. This consisted of 32 mm front and 28 mm rear anti-sway bars, performance tuned struts, and speed rated tires. This package would foreshadow the Daytona Shelbys of 1987 and beyond. Only 7,704 owners added this handling package to their Daytonas. Total production this year would be 44,366.

Dodge Daytona - 1987

In 1987, the Daytona was restyled externally, and featured pop-up headlights. New in 1987 was a Shelby Z trim level with an available Turbo II (175 hp) intercooled version of the 2.2 L Chrysler K engine, as well as a heavy-duty A-555 transaxle manufactured by Getrag. The Shelby Z also featured numerous suspension upgrades, including larger diameter front and rear sway bars and rear disc brakes. A more luxury-oriented Pacifica trim line was also added to replace the Chrysler Laser, which was dropped in 1986. In 1990, a 3.0 L SOHC V6 from Mitsubishi was made available. 1991 saw the addition of an IROC model with the turbocharged 2.5 L engine, and the 2.2 L engine was dropped.

Note that, although there were Shelby options on Daytonas of this generation, there was no "Shelby Daytona". This is fortunate, since Shelby had created another vehicle of the same name in the 1960s.

Dodge Daytona - 1992

This restyling replaced the pop-up headlights with rounded ones, along with a new grille and rear fascia. The IROC got the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6 as its standard engine, and a new IROC R/T version got a 224 hp Turbo III version of the 2.2 L Chrysler K engine. Production of the later Daytona model ended on March 17, 1993 at the Sterling Heights, Michigan assembly plant, and the 1995 Dodge Avenger replaced it in the Dodge lineup.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "1980s-1990s", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki