Dodge Spirit

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{{Infobox Automobile |image=Image:1991DodgeSpiritES.jpg |name=Dodge Spirit |manufacturer=Chrysler Corporation |production=1989-1995 |predecessor=Dodge 600
Dodge Lancer |successor=Dodge Stratus |class=Midsize |body_style=4-door sedan |platform=FF A-body |engine=2.2 L Turbo III I4
2.5 L K I4
2.5 L Turbo I4
3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 |transmission=5-speed manual
3-speed A-413 automatic
4-speed 41TE automatic |related=Chrysler LeBaron
Chrysler Saratoga
Plymouth Acclaim |similar=Chevrolet Corsica
Ford Tempo
Honda Accord
Mazda 626 |wheelbase=103.3 in (2,624 mm) |length=181.2 in (4,602 mm) |weight=2,901 lb (1,316 kg) }}

The Dodge Spirit was introduced in 1989 as the midsize sedan to replace the Dodge 600 and Lancer, and was similar to the 1990 to 1995 Chrysler LeBaron sedan and the Plymouth Acclaim. It was based on the Chrysler A platform, a stretched variation of the Chrysler K platform. It was built in Newark, Delaware and Toluca, Mexico. Production ended on December 9, 1994 and it was replaced by the Stratus. The Spirit differed from the other A-bodies mainly in having a firmer, sportier suspension and in styling. The Spirit was a five-passenger four-door sedan with a relatively large trunk, a solid-beam rear axle, and a MacPherson strut front suspension. Initially benchmarked against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, a relatively slow development process and the need to use common Chrysler Corporation parts and the basic Chrysler K platform design worked against the Spirit and other A-bodies, and they ended up selling quite well but mainly on the basis of price and value. Though maligned in their later years by critics, they did outsell the critically acclaimed Stratus/Cirrus.

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Powertrain

The base engine was the 2.5 L stroked derivative of the 2.2 L I4 introduced with the K-cars in 1981. The 2.5 L was chosen in favor of the 2.2 L due to the fact that it produced significantly more torque, which was better suited to the heavier Spirit. It was paired with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, but a 3-speed automatic was available as an option.

Optional in base Spirits and standard equipment on the higher-level ES trim was a turbocharged version of the four-cylinder engine, which raised power and torque output significantly. The choice of transmissions remained the same as models with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.

Optional in all Spirits (except for the R/T) was Chrysler's version of Mitsubishi's 3.0 L V6. This set the Spirit apart from its predecessors, which had only been available with choices of naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines. This was only one of many refinements to Chrysler's lineup of front wheel drive sedans, the most significant having been the introduction of their new-for-1989 "Ultradrive" (also known by its codenames: A604 and 41TE) 4-speed automatic transmission, paired specifically with the V6 engine.

The Ultradrive was a significant technological advancement in transmission operation, as it was one of the first electronically-controlled automatics. It pioneered many now-common features, such as adaptive shifting: the computer would optimize shifting based on the driving style of the operator. Unfortunately it earned a reputation for being unreliable, especially in Chrysler's minivans, which had high failure rates. A misprint in both owner's manuals and transmission fluid dipsticks in early models advocated the use of Dexron II transmission fluid in the event the required synthetic fluid (Type 7176, also known as ATF+3) was not available. Dexron does not provide the necessary fluid properties for proper operation of the transmission, often resulting in malfunction (commonly deferring the computer into the notorious "limp-home" mode, under which the transmission will not shift beyond second gear) or complete failure of the unit. As a result the older hydraulically-controlled 3-speed automatic was later made available with the V6.

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R/T

In 1991, Chrysler introduced the Spirit R/T, the centerpiece of which was a version of the 2.2 L K-car engine with a 16-valve DOHC head designed by Lotus, who won a design competition against Maserati and Hans Hermann. Fed by a Garrett Systems intercooled turbocharger, this Turbo III engine produced 224 hp (167 kW) and 217 ft·lbf (294 N·m) of torque. The R/T also featured several unique parts to set itself apart from other Spirits, such as body-color 15" (381 mm) alloy wheels, a stronger A-568 5-speed manual transmission built by Chrysler's New Process division (located in Syracuse, New York) with a gearset supplied by Getrag GmbH, and four wheel disc brakes with optional anti-lock brakes.

At the time, the R/T was advertised as "the fastest sedan made in America", with Chrysler placing its performance above the BMW M5. It could hit 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.8 seconds, according to Car and Driver, making it one of the quickest front wheel drive cars ever offered in the American market. It was chosen as Motor Trend magazine's "Domestic Sport Sedan of the Year", beating the Ford Taurus SHO for 1991 and 1992.

Just 1,208 Spirit R/Ts were produced in 1991 — 774 red ones and 434 in white. An additional 191 were built in 1992 — 92 red, 68 white, and 31 silver. The only significant change for 1992 was a lower first gear ratio for reduced "turbo lag".

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