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Dodge develops a special Neon R/T sporty performance edition
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Climb on board and hook that racing helmet tightly because we're strapping in and firing up for hot laps on the infield track at Las Vegas Speedway with the prototype for a racy new special issue car from Dodge.
This one looks serious in a sleek package with the flush front air dam, high-flying rear spoiler and those big lacy wheels fitted with speed-rated performance tires.
Special badges denote the tilt toward performance because sport-tuned Dodge cars with hardened suspensions and enhanced powerplants get the tag of R/T. The initials abbreviate a designation of "Road and Track" in recognition of Dodge's muscle car heritage that traces back to the 1960s when Hemi-powered muscle cars zipped across America.
First of these R/T models, a performance version of the 1967 Dodge Coronet, packed a humongous Hemi engine that cranked up 425 power points, but others quickly followed, including the Charger R/T and Challenger R/T.
Those big engines along with the R/T series faded in 1972 with new government regulations mandating low-lead fuel, but the R/T badge was born again in 1992 when Dodge rolled out the raucous two-seat sports car, Viper R/T10.
In 1998, the badge was extended to what at first blush seemed like an unlikely candidate -- the Neon compact economy car. However, since its inception in 1994 as an affordable little cruiser, the Neon had lured thousands of drivers into bona fide sports car races through the Neon Challenge series of SCCA-sanctioned road races.
Those early Neons in effect offered an affordable path into a sport that normally carried heady entry fees due to the exorbitant cost of racing machines. Neon's ACR Competition Package with the Competition Coupe added optional hardware to beef up the car for those Neon Challenge races.
The Neon race series ended -- at least temporarily -- with the 2000 Neon, an improved design that enlarged the package but eliminated the coupe variation.
Now, however, at the tail of the 2000 model-year, designers at Dodge have developed a special R/T treatment for the new Neon sedan. This optional series, revealed publicly in January at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, gets a 2001 model-year tag but will be available before the close of the 2000 series.
Our chance to test new Neon R/T came at the Las Vegas track with a sneak peek of the one-of-a-kind prototype.
Like subsequent production models, this prototype contained the Neon 2.0-liter plant but with special engine tuning to goose the output up to 150 hp.
A quick-to-shift manual transaxle with five forward gears mounted on the console between two firm front bucket seats with sporty side bolsters.
The prototype also carried the specific body effects of the R/T package, with smooth air dams attached in front and back, low sill extensions on the sides below doors with full frames around windows, plus the flying spoiler atop the back decklid.
A special body-colored grille marked the face of Neon R/T, with foglamps set in the new air dam.
Out-of-sight suspension elements -- unique springs and sway bars, plus special tuning -- were applied to set up tight and sporty handling characteristics.
The 16-inch aluminum wheels crowned with performance tires filled out wheelwells and signified serious business.
And this Neon does act seriously, as we quickly discovered on the test track.
Starting from the pits we put rubber on the track with the initial kick to action, then ripped through the first four gears in swift flick-flick-flick succession to build speed for entry to the speedway's oval chute at the end of the front straightaway.
Around the banked curve we raced to the back straight with the track's high wall, only a yard off Neon's right window, flashing in a blur of white concrete at 105 mph. Despite an excessive pace, the little car rode smoothly, settling into the groove without undue noise evident from whining engine or rushing wind.
At the end of the stretch we braked and downshifted, dipping the nose and dropping the pace to set up a sharp left hairpin as gateway to a wiggly infield circuit.
Our Neon screamed around that hard corner as tires slipped laterally and prow pushed to the outside edge in a balanced, predictable slide.
Counter-steering corrected the slip easily and we hit the throttle for a brief straight before encountering a left-right cut that led into a broad sweeper before two more tight rights required a downshift and brake to clear.
Several more straights and curves followed, but Neon maintained a fast line through each entry, apex and exit. Then a long stretch allowed speed to build again until we cut back for the acute right twist at the end.
Whip it around a final left kink and we're back on the oval for a shot around the banked curve before dropping low on the left for the pit exit.
Back in pit lane, we stopped at last with a hot engine and brakes and the driver panting and perspiring, but this Neon still seemed ripe for yet another lap.
Because it's such fun, we peeled out again.
Overall, the laps demonstrated that this new iteration of the Neon handles the hard stuff of quick-cut turns and racy getaways with poise and confidence.
The souped-up engine, although far from a powerhouse, delivers solid muscle to a lightweight package.
The tuned suspension, tight and nice, keeps the body in an athletic stance to handle hard-wrought turns.
The rack and pinion steering responds quickly to a driver's demands, as do the disc brakes with thick front ventilated rotors and solid rear discs. A computerized anti-lock devise brings more control for steering and stopping.
Those sporty bucket seats, clad in leather, fit comfortably and the big side bolsters hold you in place during wild pavement maneuvers.
Leather also covers a small sporty steering wheel as well as the gear shift knob.
Analog gauges with a tachometer in the instrument panel show bright white faces for quick-read legibility.
The spacious cabin, derived from a cab-forward design wrapped in substantial window glass, contains a variety of safety measures including dual air bags in front plus three-point safety belts.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2001 DODGE NEON RT Specs |
| Description: |
Compact sports sedan
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| Model Options: |
Compact sports sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
105.0 inches
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| Overall Length: |
174.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.0-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
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| Gas Mileage: |
26/33 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 17,000 |
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