Dodge Avenger 1995 - Present
The Dodge Avenger is a front-wheel drive, mid-size sedan, built by the Chrysler Corporation for the Dodge marque. In its initial debut, the Avenger was produced from 1995 to 2000 as a 2-door coupe. It was re-introduced to the market as a 4-door sports sedan starting in 2008.
Dodge Avenger coupe (1995-2000)
Introduced as a 2-door coupe in North America, the Dodge Avenger was built from 1995 to 2000 in a similar size and price class as the Dodge Daytona, which was discontinued in 1993. The Avenger, along with the similar Chrysler Sebring coupe, was built by Diamond Star Motors (DSM), a joint venture between Chrysler Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors, on a version of the Mitsubishi Galant platform (which also spawned the similar Mitsubishi Eclipse). Mitsubishi purchased Chrysler's share of the joint venture in 1995. Avengers and Sebring coupes built from 1995 to 1996 both have DSM markings in their engine compartments.
The Avenger had a 103 in (2.62 m) wheelbase and used either a 2.0 L straight-4 (the Chrysler 420A) or a Mitsubishi-designed 2.5 L V6. The 4-cylinder was coupled to either a five-speed manual transmission, shared with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon, or a 4-speed automatic. The V6 was only available with the A604 transmission. Avengers featured a fully independent double wishbone suspension and variable speed rack and pinion steering.
Changes
ABS was used in all ES models to 1999. In 1997, the front fascia, trunklid, and rear bumper were changed; 16 inch wheels were standard, and the license plate was moved from the decklid to the rear bumper. In 2000, the V6 and automatic transmission combination was made standard on all Avengers, and ABS was made an "option" for ES models. The four-cylinder engine was dropped for 2000.
Trims
- 1995-2000 - "Highline" base model (V6 among other options made standard in 2000)
- 1995-2000 - ES
From 1997+, a "Sport Appearance Package" was made available on Base model. This package included 16" wheels, a deck lid spoiler, along with other standard and optional features.
In 2000, the Avenger was discontinued and replaced by the Dodge Stratus coupe for 2001. This model was also made at the former Diamond Star plant by Mitsubishi, using the Eclipse platform and architecture, though the Stratus sedan was engineered and built by Chrysler.
Dodge Avenger sedan (2008-present)
The Dodge Avenger name returned in February 2007 as a MY2008 model as a sedan to replace the Dodge Stratus, whose coupe version had replaced the original Avenger in 2001. According to some reports, the Avenger, along with the redesigned Chrysler Sebring, shares a DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi Motors platform called JS which used the Mitsubishi GS as a starting point, then was heavily modified. The base engine in the SE and SXT trim levels is the 2.4 LGEMAI4 naturally-aspirated "World Engine", a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai. Additional engines include an optional 2.7 L V6 in the SXT and a standard 3.5 L V6 in the R/T trim level. In addition to the 2.4 L "World Engine" and the V6s, export vehicles will be offered with the 2.0 L naturally-aspirated "World Engine", as well as a 2.0 L turbocharged diesel (Pumpe-Düse) made by Volkswagen. As a 2008 model, the Dodge Avenger came to showrooms in February 2007.
Features on the new Avenger include optional heated/cooled cup holders as well as Dodge's new "Chill Zone", a feature that comes standard on all Avenger models, which can store up to four 12-US fl oz cans in the glove box and chill them to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like its Dodge Journey stablemate, the Avenger's exterior was styled by Chrysler's Ryan Nagode. The interior was styled by Ben S. Chang.
The Avenger replaced the Charger as Dodge's car in NASCAR in 2007 for Car of Tomorrow races. It got its first win with former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya in the 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway.
The Avenger was officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on September 28, 2006 as a concept car. It has been launched in Europe and is sold in Britain, filling a gap in the Chrysler range that was left by the Neon's demise four years earlier. It has also been launched in Australia, although currently with only the 2.4L engine.
In the United Kingdom, it has been discontinued, although sales continue in the Republic of Ireland and on the Continent (Western Europe). This new version continues with SE, SXT trim levels and is not badged the same way as North American or the South American versions.
In the US, the Avenger was launched with a 30 second television ad, "Tuned Up," that debuted Sunday, March 4, 2007 during NHL hockey, an ad in which a lab technician discovers he can play Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple on the Avenger's transmission. Another television spot likened the Avenger to the "superhero" vehicle for the everyman, depicting a driver piloting his Avenger through Gotham-like streets and alleys, speaking to the MyGig entertainment system in distinctly Batman-reminiscent tones, to arrive home, pull into a two-car garage and open the rear door to a sleeping child in the rear car-seat.
Reviews
Unfortunately the 2008 Dodge Avenger and its successors received generally poor reviews from Consumer Reports magazine due to lower than average ratings for fit and finish, reliability, fuel economy with the V6, and braking. The 2010 Consumer Reports rankings of new cars gave the Avenger and its Sebring sibling the lowest possible ratings for intermediate cars, ranking them 48 out of 48 cars in their class. The 2011 Consumer Reports print edition review of new cars noted modest improvements for the latest Avenger but again gave it a low mark for reliability.
US News ranked the 2010 Dodge Avenger #19 out of 19 in their listing of Affordable Midsize Cars, stating "The 2010 Dodge Avenger trails the midsize class in most measures. Reviewers find its performance sluggish, its styling clichéd and its interior lacking in comfort and quality." US News also gave it a low rating for reliability.
Revisions
In the 2009 model year, like its Caliber, Charger, Grand Caravan, Journey & Nitro models, the "AVENGER" badge at the trunklid's left was pushed to the right to make way for "DODGE" at the left.
Changes for 2011
For 2011, the Avenger receives its first major overhaul since its 2008 re-introduction. Exterior changes include slightly revised sheetmetal with a new crosshair grille displaying the new Dodge logo on the lower right corner of the grill. Changes to the interior are more noticeable with a completely redesigned dashboard and instrument panel featuring an available 6.5-inch navigation/media center screen. Higher-quality soft-touch plastics for dashboard, door, and trim panels replaces the old materials, which were criticized for their poor fit and finish quality, as well as being unpleasant to the touch. The seats receive better cushioning and higher-grade upholstery. Two-tone interior color combinations will be available.
Mechanically, the 2011 Avenger comes standard with the existing 173-horsepower 2.4L GEMA I4, although it is now paired with a 6-speed automatic instead of the previous 4-speed. Also available is the new 3.6L Pentastar V6, which generates 283 horsepower (211 kW) and 260 lb·ft (350 N·m) of torque. The suspension has been heavily revised to improve handling and ride quality. Trim level designations are also new, with existing trims being replaced by Express, Mainstreet, and Lux models.
Trims
- SE: (2008-2009)
- 2.4L GEMA I4 DOHC 16V Dual VVT 4-speed automatic
- SXT: (2008-2010)
- 2.4L GEMA I4 DOHC 16V Dual VVT 4-speed automatic
- 2.7L EER V6 DOHC 24-valve MPI 4-speed automatic
- R/T: (2008-2010)
- 3.5L EGF High Output V6 24V MPI 6-speed automatic
- R/T AWD: (2008-2009)
- 3.5L EGF High Output V6 24V MPI 6-speed automatic
- Express: (2011-present)
- 2.4L GEMA I4 DOHC 16V MPI 6-speed automatic
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 DOHC 24V MPI 6-speed automatic
- Mainstreet: (2011-present)
- 2.4L GEMA I4 DOHC 16V MPI 6-speed automatic
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 DOHC 24V MPI 6-speed automatic
- Lux: (2011-present)
- 2.4L GEMA I4 DOHC 16V MPI 6-speed automatic
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 DOHC 24V MPI 6-speed automatic
Motorsport
The first-generation Dodge Avenger body style was widely used in the National Hot Rod Association, but came to the most prominence being driven by Darrell Alderman, and Scott Geoffrion, during their run from 1994–2000, as the celebrated Dodge Boys. The car was also used for the 1994 and 1995 incarnations of the International Race of Champions. The second-generation Dodge Avenger was used in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Season as the Car of Tomorrow model from Dodge. In 2008, the Dodge CoT was changed back to the Charger.
Chrysler bankruptcy and sale to "New Chrysler"¶
The Sterling Heights, Michigan plant which makes the Avenger and the Sebring will not be included in the sale of the company to a new company formed in alliance with Fiat, called Chrysler Group LLC. It will be leased by Chrysler Group LLC until the end of 2012, at which time the plant will close. On October 29, 2009, The Wall Street Journal originally announced that Fiat plans to cut the Avenger from the Dodge lineup; however, Car and Driver, in a later article, has said that Chrysler plans to continue the Avenger and its cousin, the Chrysler Sebring, well into the future. Chrysler also plans to redesign both the Chrysler Sebring and the Dodge Avenger in late 2010-early 2011. Chrysler has also confirmed that future Sebrings and Avengers (after the 2011 redesign) will most likely be Fiat-based sedans marketed as Sebrings and Avengers in the United States. On November 4, 2009, Fiat announced that the Avenger will be remade in 2010.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Avenger