Plymouth Caravelle Salon
| Plymouth Caravelle | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Plymouth (Chrysler) |
| Production | 1985–1988 (U.S.) 1983–1988 (Canada) |
| Assembly | Jefferson Avenue Assembly, Detroit, Michigan (U.S.) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 2-door coupe |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform |
E-body (Sedan) K-body (Coupe) |
| Related |
Chrysler New Yorker Dodge 600 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.2 L K I4 2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.5 L K I4 2.6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed A520 manual 5-speed A525 manual 3-speed A413 automatic 3-speed A470 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 103.3 in (2,624 mm) |
| Length | 185.2 in (4,704 mm) |
| Width | 68.0 in (1,727 mm) |
| Height | 53.1 in (1,349 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,598 lb (1,178 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chrysler E-Class |
| Successor | Plymouth Acclaim |
The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-size sedan that was introduced by Plymouth as a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600. It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim in 1989. The Caravelle was Plymouth's first front wheel drive mid-size sedan.
The name of the vehicle was inspired by the word Caravel, a 15th-century sailing ship used by the Portuguese; the ship was noted for its speed and agility.
For 1985, Chrysler dropped its unsuccessful entry-level variant of the E platform, the Chrysler E-Class (the idea of a more mainstream Chrysler was not well received by consumers). Even though the Dodge 600 was mainstream, Dodges were not generally sold with Chryslers, so rather than only having the upscale New Yorker on Chrysler-Plymouth dealer lots, the former E-class was given a new grille, and thus the U.S. Caravelle was born. This model was slotted between the compact Reliant K and the large rear-wheel drive Gran Fury.
For its first year the Caravelle came in one trim level with a number of standard features, the Caravelle SE. These standard features including: AM/FM stereo, power windows, power locks, power adjustable mirrors, deck lid release, cruise control, air conditioning, and a 50/50 split front bench seat, with dual recliners. For 1986, the Caravelle was given a facelift, which rounded many of the sharp angles, giving it a more aerodynamic appearance. Also from 1986 onward, a base model was offered, without some of the standard features of the "SE". The Caravelle continued in the U.S. until 1988, when it was replaced by the new A body Acclaim for 1989. Unlike the identical Canadian Caravelle, a 2-door coupe model was never offered in the U.S.
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