Manufacturer Dodge (Chrysler) Class Mid-size | Production 1987–1993 Body style 4-door sedan | |
 | ||
Also called Chrysler Dynasty (Canada) Assembly Belvidere, Illinois, United States | ||
The Dodge Dynasty is a front-wheel drive sedan that was introduced in 1987 as a 1988 model year to replace the 600 as Dodge's mid-size car. Production continued until 1993.
Contents
Design
The Dodge Dynasty is related to the Chrysler New Yorker; both car lines were built on the Chrysler C platform in Belvidere, Illinois. It is also similar to the Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue and Chrysler Imperial, which were available from 1990-93 on an extended wheelbase platform of the Chrysler New Yorker.
The Lee Iacocca-dictated styling was boxy and conservative compared to more aerodynamically styled competitors such as the Ford Taurus. Dynasty trim levels included base and LE. Additionally, a "Brougham" package was offered on 1992-93 LE models that added a padded vinyl roof that was called "landau".
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 came equipped with a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission (the A413). The 3.0 L and the 3.3 L were offered solely with Chrysler's then-new electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, known as the Ultradrive or A604 (List of Chrysler transmissions). The vast majority of Dynastys sold to private customers had V6 engines; four-cylinder models mostly went to the fleet market.
Dynasty models were all equipped with a driver's side airbag starting in 1990. A Bendix anti-lock 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.
International versions
In Canada and Mexico it was marketed as the Chrysler Dynasty. The Chrysler Dynasty was identical to the 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Salon (sold in the U.S.), their only difference being their names. In Mexico, the cars were only available with the V6 engine. In Canada the four-cylinder variant was available, but seldom ordered, and it replaced the Chrysler LeBaron GTS hatchback since Chrysler Canada did not want to market the Dodge Diplomat's successor, the Monaco in 1990. Chrysler Canada, however, replaced the Dynasty's predecessor, the 600 with the Dodge Spirit instead. The Chrysler Dynasty was meant to fill a void between the Chrysler LeBaron sedan and the Chrysler New Yorker, just like what the LeBaron GTS did in Canada.
Discontinuation
Production ended on May 28, 1993, and the Belvidere plant was retooled to build the Dodge Neon. The Dynasty was replaced by the Intrepid.