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ALL-NEW 2001 DODGE STRATUS COUPE AND STRATUS SEDAN BREAK THE MOLD |
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AutoWorld.com - David Lee - With their unmatched combination of bold
design, strong performance, spacious interiors and affordability, the all-new 2001 Dodge Stratus sedan and
Stratus coupe break the mid-size sedan and sport coupe molds. In a sea of common cars, the next-generation
Stratus line up is different. Introduced today at the 2000 Chicago Auto Show, the Stratus sedan and Stratus coupe represent Dodge's latest efforts to bring more unexpected attributes to their respective segments. "With the new Stratus sedan and Stratus coupe you have two all-new cars that deliver on everything that a buyer demands - roominess, safety, convenience and affordability - while adding elements that they would never expect, namely performance and bold design," said Jim Holden, President, DaimlerChrysler. "In two segments where automakers have chosen to conform to molds of what a sport coupe or mid-size sedan should be, we have broken away and chosen to exceed our customers' needs by a large margin." Dodge Stratus Coupe - New Name and a New Level of Performance and Refinement When the Dodge Avenger was first introduced in the 1995 model year, it was hailed for its ability to stand out from a crowd - and carry one as well. With its cavernous interior and sporty good looks, Avenger was unique to the sport coupe segment. For 2001, the name changes to Stratus but the basic formula of offering a bold package with plenty of room for four people remains. However, a new level of performance and refinement make the next-generation sport coupe from Dodge an even more appealing choice. "The name may have changed but the overall package didn't," said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Division. "Our owners loved having the ability to carry friends and/or gear in a car as nimble as the original Avenger. But in true Dodge fashion, we're giving them even more than they expected with improved performance and refinement. Like its sedan namesake, with the Stratus coupe we've kept all the good things and added even more." The lead Stratus coupe will be the Stratus R/T, with its 200-horsepower V-6 engine, optional five-speed manual transaxle, specially-tuned suspension and performance-tuned 17-inch tires. "With the Stratus R/T coupe, we're filling a void in the market," Julow said. "Consumers want a car that serves all the everyday needs, yet offers performance and handling that is a notch above." All Stratus models will be more refined and even quieter because of a variety of aerodynamic and underbody enhancements. Careful attention was paid to improving sound quality while maintaining the sporty road feel and sound that a sport coupe should have. 3 "We spent a lot of time making sure we engineered in all the performance and handling characteristics that a car of this nature should have," said Larry Lyons, Vice President, Small Car Platform Engineering. "But we added a level of noise reduction and refinement that will be pleasing to anyone who drives the Stratus coupe." Dodge Stratus Sedan - Building on a Great Beginning  The all-new Dodge Stratus sedan is building from strong roots. The original Stratus sedan offered a level of roominess and style that shocked the mid-size segment. With its cab-forward architecture that maximized interior room and revolutionized the auto industry, Stratus quickly made a name for itself among consumers looking to break away from traditional mid-size cars. With the next-generation Stratus sedan, its reputation is enhanced even further with performance improvements and a host of refinements. "We loved our starting point," Julow said. "We began with a car that offered a bold design and great interior comfort. We've built on that with even more customer-friendly features, greater performance and a level of refinement that meets - or exceeds - any other mid-size sedan." The 2001 Stratus design harkens back to Dodge's rich muscle car history while borrowing from European racing sedans. With its signature "cross-hair" grille and solid stance, Stratus is reminiscent of the classic muscle car-era Dodges. Pronounced wheel flare and sill treatments resemble some of the championship racing sedans of Europe.  Performance enhancements include the availability of the powerful 2.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine which - at 200 horsepower - delivers 32 more horsepower than the engine it replaces. The standard 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine delivers 150 horsepower and 167 lb.-ft. of torque. In addition to offering one of the most powerful engines in its segment, Stratus will be available with a performance-tuned ride-and-handling package, 16-inch performance wheels and tires and the AutoStick® transaxle, which allows the driver the control of a manual transmission and the convenience of an automatic. The Dodge Brand - All New Stratus Coupe and Sedan Continue the Success The momentum started with Viper several years ago and continues with the new Stratus coupe and sedan. These two cars deliver on the Dodge promise to provide the best combination of bold design, interior spaciousness, strong performance, great handling, and affordability of any car, truck or minivan in its segment. "We aim to set a standard that can't be reached by our competition," Julow said. "With each new product we refine and improve but we never waiver from our basic formula of offering the best 'total package.' That's what makes Dodge different." - Autoworld.com Back to Today's News |
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