Chrysler Y platform

K-platform
1987 Dodge Aries K
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1981–1995
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car Mid-size car Minivan
Layout	FF layout
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 4-door limousine
Powertrain
Engine(s)	2.2 l K 4 2.2 l Turbo I 4 2.2 l Turbo II 4 2.2 l Turbo III 4 2.2 l Turbo IV 4 2.2 l TC 4 2.5 l K 4 2.5 l Turbo 4 2.6 l Mitsubishi G54B 4 3.0 l Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 3.3 l EGA V6 3.8 l EGH V6
Chronology
Predecessor	F-body J-body M-body
Successor	PL JA LH NS

The K-car platform was a key automotive design platform introduced by Chrysler Corporation in the early 1980s—featuring a transverse engine, front-wheel drive, independent front and semi-independent rear suspension configuration—a stark departure from the company's previous reliance on solid axle, rear-drive configurations. Derived from Chrysler's L-cars, the Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni, the platform was developed just as the company faltered in the market, at first underpinning a modest range of compact/mid-size sedans and wagons—and eventually underpinning nearly fifty different models, including all-wheel drive variants—and playing a vital role in the company's subsequent resurgence.

Arriving on the brink of Chrysler's near certain financial collapse, the platform had a dramatic effect, helping Chrysler report a profit in October 1980 of $10 million, its first profit in two years. A plethora of K-platform body styles and badge-engineered variants followed the original range, including the company's minivans and upscale Chrysler division models. The platform interchangeability saved production and purchasing costs, initially costing Chrysler $1 billion over three years to develop, but only costing $50 million to generate the second group of badge-engineered variants, the LeBaron and Dodge 400. Within two years, the K platform vehicles accounted for roughly 50% of Chrysler's operating profits.

In 1984, The New York Times said the K platform not only "single-handedly save(d) Chrysler from certain death, (it) also provided the company with a (platform) that could be stretched, smoothed, poked, chopped and trimmed."

We talk about all these cars being K car derivatives, which is correct, but that doesn't mean they all have to have K car characteristics.