Dodge Daytona

Dodge Daytona

Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Also called	Plymouth Laser Chrysler Laser Chrysler Daytona Chrysler GTS
Production	1984–1993
Assembly	St. Louis, Missouri, United States Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States
Predecessor	Dodge Challenger
Successor	Dodge Avenger
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	G-body
Engine(s)	2.2 L K I4 2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.2 L Turbo II I4 2.2 L Turbo III I4 2.5 L K I4 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 3.5 L Lamborghini V8
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	1987-89: 97.0 in (2464 mm) 1990-93: 97.2 in (2469 mm)
Length	1987-1991: 179.2 in (4552 mm) 1990-93 ES & IROC: 179.8 in (4567 mm) 1992-93 Base: 179.0 in (4547 mm)
Width	69.3 in (1760 mm)
Height	1987-89: 50.1 in (1273 mm) 1990-93: 50.3 in (1278 mm) 1990-91 IROC & 1992-93 IROC R/T: 50.6 in (1285 mm) 1992-93 IROC: 50.4 in (1280 mm)

The Dodge Daytona was a front-wheel drive hatchback based on the Chrysler G platform, which was derived from the Chrysler K platform. The Daytona was produced from 1984 to 1993. The Chrysler Laser was an upscale near twin version of the Daytona. The Daytona was restyled for 1987, and again for 1992. It replaced the Mitsubishi-based Challenger, and slotted between the Charger and the Conquest. The Daytona was replaced by the 1995 Dodge Avenger, which was built by Mitsubishi Motors. The Daytona derives its name mainly from the Dodge Charger Daytona, which itself was named after the Daytona 500 race in Daytona Beach, Florida.

History

The Daytona originally used the 2.2 L Chrysler K engine in normally-aspirated (93 hp) or turbocharged (142 hp) form. The 96 hp 2.5 L K engine was added for 1986. In 1985, the 2.2 L Turbo I engine's horsepower was increased to 146 hp (109 kW). 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. Both the Daytona and Chrysler Laser were available with the Chrysler Electronic Voice Alert system through 1987. A performance oriented "Shelby" version of the Daytona was introduced in 1987.

Chrysler Laser

Chrysler Laser, nearly identical to the 1984–1986 Daytona

The Chrysler Laser was Chrysler's attempt at creating a sporty car to expand their upscale brand 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, such as spoilers, side skirts and air dams, 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 mid-1986. After 1986, the Daytona was exported to Canada as the Chrysler Daytona, officially ending Canadian Daytona sales under the Dodge marque. The turbo version of the Laser could be recognized by its use of black hood louvers. The 2.2 L Turbo I engine was available as standard equipment in the XE and XT trim lines and optional on the standard model. The Daytona and Laser were intended to replace the Chrysler Conquest, a rear wheel drive vehicle which competed directly against the Toyota Celica Supra. The Laser name was silently terminated after the first half of 1986 model year, then resurrected for the 1989/1990 model year with a new Plymouth Laser, built by Diamond Star Motors, a joint venture between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. The rebranded Laser shared its chassis with the Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi Eclipse.

In 1987, the Chrysler LeBaron was restyled as a more proper sports car, removing Chrysler's need for the Laser. However, the Laser’s luxury performance image would be carried over into the 1987 Dodge Daytona Pacifica as well as the Lancer Pacifica and other Chrysler vehicles styled by Chrysler's Pacifica Studios.

The Laser was specified to have an estimated 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway fuel mileage. Chrysler offered a 5 year or 50,000-mile (80,000 km) warranty, or a Protection Plan with outer body rust-through protection, based on United States Automobile Club tests. Mark Cross leather seats and a six-way power options were available as options.

Production numbers

• 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)

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.

1986

There were changes for the 1986 Daytona. The middle "Turbo" model was dropped, leaving just two models: Base and Turbo Z. Engine changes were also made: A new 2.5 L 100 hp (75 kW) 4-cylinder engine was added for the base model. A new t-roof 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 (1.3 in) front and 28 mm (1.1 in) 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.

1987–1991

1987–1991 Dodge Daytona

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 (174 hp - 200lb-ft) intercooled version of the 2.2 L Chrysler K engine, as well as a heavy-duty A555 transaxle with Getrag gears. The Shelby Z also featured numerous suspension upgrades, including a larger diameter front sway bar and rear disc brakes. This version was sold in Europe under the name Chrysler GS Turbo II. A more luxury-oriented Pacifica trim line was also added to replace the Chrysler Laser buyers, which was dropped by mid-year 1986. Among the standard and optional equipment: leather interior, an 8 way power enthusiast drivers seat (with mechanical Thigh/Lumbar controls), digital dash, 12 button navigator (with instant fuel ratings as well as trip averages and estimated travel times), among several other features.

Following the Chrysler takeover of Lamborghini, product programs general manager Jack Stavana introduced a program to fit a Lamborghini Jalpa V8 into a Daytona. The motor was linked to an all-wheel drive (AWD) system designed by Carroll Shelby, and the car was called the Decepzione. Despite its performance and media buzz generated by articles in Car and Driver magazine, the project was abandoned due to the car having just 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) of ground clearance, necessitated by the comparatively tall engine block.

1989 saw the introduction of the ES model offered with silver contrasting ground affects, along "snowflake" patterned rim design. ES was offered as an appearance package/equipment group on base models in order to attract the "average" Daytona buyer’s eye without a major price hype. 1989 also saw a C/S "Competition package", which offered most of the Shelby options (alloy wheels, turbo engine etc), but without any of the frills, such as a body kit or fog lights, in an effort to reduce weight.

In 1990, a Variable Nozzle Turbocharger (VNT Turbo IV) was offered in the Shelby model producing the same 174 hp (130 kW) as the Turbo II but, it reduced turbo lag and improved driveability. Chrysler dropped the package citing problems with the turbocharger. Also for 1990 a 3.0 L SOHC V6 from Mitsubishi was made available, as well as a redesigned interior similar to that of the Chrysler LeBaron coupe and convertible. In addition, 1990 saw the introduction of a standard driver's side airbag to the Daytona. This was in keeping with Chrysler's decision to offer a driver's side airbags across most models. 1991 saw the addition of an IROC model with the turbocharged 2.5 L engine, and the 2.2 L engine was dropped. Visually, Iroc models differed from lesser models, having a ground effects kit and alloy wheels, among other differences.

1992–1993

Chrysler Daytona

Production was moved from the St. Louis, Missouri plant to the Sterling Heights, Michigan plant. This second Daytona restyling replaced the pop-up headlights with flush-mounted rounded ones, along with a new grille and rear fascia. Window surround moldings on the doors were also new, and rounder than the sharper angles of moldings on the 1984 to 1991 models. While 6 cylinder power became an option on lower end models, the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6 was the standard engine on IROC models. Optional on IROC was the 2.5l "High Torque" Turbo, available as a very rare option (less than 230 produced). A new IROC R/T version got a 224 hp (167 kW) Turbo III version of the 2.2 L 4 cylinder, but with a Lotus designed DOHC cylinder head and direct ignition system instead of a distributor-type ignition system. Iroc R/Ts were produced in limited numbers. Production of the Daytona ended on March 2, 1993, and the Daytona was replaced by the 1995 Dodge Avenger.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dodge Daytona

• TurboDodge Discussion Forum
• Allpar.com Daytona/Laser page
• What's It Like To Drive - Describes a test between two Dodge Daytonas, one FWD and one RWD
• Front-Runners.net - Daytona Road Test pdf