Dodge 600
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The 600 was Dodge's version of the Chrysler E-Class luxury car of the 1980s. It was introduced in 1983 as a small mid-size car (introduced at the same time as the mid-sized Toyota Camry) on the Chrysler E platform and was discontinued after the 1988 model year.
Ever since Dodge dropped its full-sized St. Regis after 1981, the mid-sized Diplomat became Dodge's top-line sedan. So for 1983, Dodge had to bring another sedan to the lineup, and the 600 was born, slotting between the Aries and the Diplomat in the lineup.
The 600 was intended to be Dodge's answer to the European sedans of the day. Its numerical name and rear-end styling was designed to evoke thoughts of Mercedes-Benz models, however it fell more in line with North American contemporaries such as the Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac 6000 and the Ford Fairmont (the 600 actually resembled the Dodge Mirada more than any European car). It debuted as a four-door sedan, available in two trims: base and ES ("Euro/Sedan"). Power was provided by Chrysler's 2.2 L 4-cylinder engine, with the Mitsubishi-built 2.6 L 4-cylinder available as an option.
Sales of the 600 nearly doubled in its second year. This was in large part due to the addition of the former 400's coupe and convertible body styles to the 600's range (which continued to stay on the K platform). Like most midrange-to-upscale K-car derivatives, digital dashboards and the Electronic Voice Alert were options. A turbocharged version of the 2.2 L engine was also added as an option in 1984, providing a much-needed increase in power output (up to 142 hp).
| Year | Units |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 33,488 |
| 1984 | 61,637 |
| 1985 | 58,847 |
| 1986 | 59,677 |
| 1987 | 40,391 |
| 1988 | 55,550 |
| Total Production = 309,590 | |
Several changes were made to the 600 in 1985. The 600 sedan was moved to a longer wheelbase and the former base and ES trims were dropped, replaced by a new SE trim. This was due in part to the new Lancer, which would have competed directly with the 600 (the 5-speed manual transmission was no longer offered as well, in an attempt to keep competition between the Lancer and 600 to a minimum). The coupe and convertible remained relatively unchanged except for minor trim and interior changes. The only significant advancement was the replacement of the 2.2 L engine's two-barrel Holley electronic feedback carburetor by an electronic throttle-body fuel injection system.
The sedan's base trim returned in 1986, while the coupe and convertible were given new, restyled front and rear fascias (the front in particular adopted the now familiar "crosshair" grille, dropping the Mirada-inspired horizontal slats). The 2.6 L engine was replaced by a larger 2.5 L version of the Chrysler 2.2 L.
The 600 was nearing its end. The coupe and convertible were dropped for 1987, while the sedan would only last another year, ending production in 1988, replaced by the Spirit.
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Dodge Vehicles | ([http://encycl.opentopia.com/ edit]) | |
| Current: | ||
| Cars: | Avenger | Caliber | Charger | Charger Daytona | Magnum | Viper | |
| Vans/SUVs: | Nitro | Caravan/Grand Caravan | Durango | |
| Trucks: | Dakota | Ram | SRT-10 | Sprinter | |
| Historic: | ||
| Cars: | 024 | 330 | 400 | 600 | 880 | Aries | Aspen | Avenger | Challenger | Charger (B-body) | Charger (L-body) | Colt | Conquest | Coronet | Custom 880 | Dart | Daytona | Demon | Diplomat | Dynasty | Intrepid | La Femme | Lancer | Matador | Mirada | Monaco | Neon | Omni | Polara | Shadow | Sierra | Spirit | SRT-4 | St. Regis | Stealth | Stratus | Super Bee | |
| Vans/SUVs: | Mini Ram Van | Raider | Ramcharger | Ram Van | Ram Wagon | Sportsman | Town Panel | Town Wagon | Tradesman | |
| Trucks: | 50 Series | A100 | B Series | C Series | D Series | Power Wagon | Rampage | Ram 50 | |
| Corporate: | Fratzog | John Francis Dodge | Horace Elgin Dodge | |
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