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Dodge Stratus R/T sports coupe rolls out with racy overtones
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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REDMOND, Wash. -- In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, home to Microsoft and more than a few computer billionaires, mega-bucks sports cars bearing exotic Italian brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini appear as dime-a-dozen street traffic.
Mingled among so many sensuous Diablos and Countaches on a recent pass through Redmond, the slick new coupe we steered showed off aggressive exterior styling that looked as daring as any of the expensive sports cars.
Unlike the exotics, though, our coupe contained everything you might expect out of a sporty performance coupe, except for a steep price tag.
This particular car, a Stratus R/T coupe out of the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler, tallied to $21,955, which included a forceful V6 powertrain and optional hardware like anti-lock brakes and a power-operated sunroof.
Another edition, Stratus SE with a four-pack engine, looks even better on the bottom line, beginning at $17,810.
These new Dodge coupes, replacements for the Avenger coupe but with a stiffer structure and new powerplants aboard, represent the two-door treatment for a family of mid-size vehicles clustered under the Stratus label.
The Stratus name also appears on a new four-door Dodge that bears external styling lines similar to the two-door. Sedan and coupe treatments are entirely different, however, as the two vehicles use different platforms, powertrains and parts.
Styling for the coupe features a fluid design that in profile seems like a clean sweep from nose to tail over the arched cabin. Interrupting such smooth lines, flat panels on each side hint at the shapes of NASCAR racers as a pair of muscular shoulders toward the rear imply subtle strength.
The graceful arched profile and exaggerated slant to the windshield show styling concepts lifted from Intrepid, Dodge's flagship, but the prow with body-colored grille in cross-hair pattern comes directly off the racy Dodge sports car, Viper.
A flare ringing each wheelwell draws the eye toward the big performance tires that extend to 17-inch all-season black sidewalls on Stratus R/T.
Shapely curving rear pillars at the back of the roofline slide down into rolled rear flanks that form the muscular shoulders on the rump. Then in back the tail treatment bends a spoiler lip in arching line over large corner lamps and a thick bumper tinted to the body color.
A lively personality complements the dramatic styling of Stratus the coupe.
When compared against Avenger, the chassis design for Stratus is stronger, due to the new format and special braces that boost the form's rigidity by 90 percent to resist bending and up to nine percent in torsional twisting. This stronger and stiffer structure becomes the foundation for attaching new suspension and handling components that feel tight and precise, but ultimately result in a more responsive ride quality.
New suspension elements on Stratus include front MacPherson struts with lower A-arms, braces for shock towers and an anti-roll bar added. In the rear, the multi-link arrangement employs upper A-arms that unite with the lower lateral and semi-trailing links, plus anti-roll bar.
What these components produce is a smooth ride quality that becomes particularly notable on bumpy pavement and improved straight-line tracking when traveling at speed.
The steering system -- with speed-sensitive power governing the rack and pinion mechanism -- reacts quickly and provides excellent feedback.
Brakes build in complexity with the trims, starting with ventilated discs up front and rear drums with tandem booster power assistance on Stratus SE but adding solid discs in back on the Stratus R/T.
To improve straight-line tracking for emergency braking, anti-lock controls are available optionally. With a manual transmission the ABS tallies to $565, but for the automatic transmission a traction control mechanism links to the ABS for $740.
Stratus as a coupe pumps more power into both trims than Avenger did, as engines grow in size and strength.
A 2.4-liter in-line-four plant for Stratus SE carries an overhead cam, four valves per cylinder and sequential multi-point fuel injection.
This base engine produces 147 hp with a manual transmission, or 142 hp with an automatic.
More muscle comes from Stratus R/T with the 3.0-liter V6 dispensing 200 hp.
A manual stick for either Stratus SE or the R/T feels nice, bringing short lever throws and easy movements up and down the gear ladder.
The four-speed automatic employs a smart controller linked to a microprocessor that quickly adapts to the driver's style and then changes the shift patterns to suit that style.
With the AutoStick added to the automatic transmission on Stratus R/T, a driver can pull the shift lever back into manual mode for gear-by-gear shifts without a clutch.
Beneath the slick sheetmetal, Stratus the coupe provides a passenger compartment of generous proportions.
A pair of bucket seats mounts on either side of a central console. The bench in back has three positions and a folding seatback divided 60/40 for access to the trunk with best-in-class space.
The elongated chassis carves out something rare for a sporty coupe: Enough floor space in the rear seat to fit the legs of adult riders.
Dashboard instruments, clustered below an arched cowl, display round analog gauges including a tachometer.
Sculptured dashboard indentions flanking the central pod of climate and audio controls define individual cockpits for driver and passenger. The driver can easily reach door-mounted switches controlling windows and locks or the console-mounted shift lever.
Appointments for Stratus SE include gear usually appearing on the chart of options, like air conditioning and power controls for windows, mirrors and door locks.
Stratus R/T adds the V6 engine and interior upgrades such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and premium sound system with cassette deck and CD player.
Ultimately, new Stratus styled as a slick two-door with racy overtones delivers key components of rather pricy sports coupes yet neglects to clutter the bottom line with too many dollar signs.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2001 DODGE STATUS COUPE Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size coupe
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size coupe
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| Wheelbase: |
103.7 inches
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| Overall Length: |
190.9 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.4-L I4
SOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5, Auto/4
V6: Manual/5, Auto/4 AutoStick
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
SE: Power disc/drum
R/T: 4-disc/opt. ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
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| Gas Mileage: |
I4 M/5: 23/30 mpg
I4 A/4: 21/27 mpg
V6 M/5: 20/27 mpg
V6 A/4: 19/27 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 18,000 to $ 24,000 |
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