Dodge 400 - Misplaced Pages

Motor vehicle

Dodge 400

Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1981–1983
Model years	1982–1983
Assembly	Saint Louis Assembly, Fenton, Missouri
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout
Platform	K-body
Related	Chrysler LeBaron Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Aries Plymouth Reliant
Powertrain
Engine	2.2 L K I4 2.6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed A413 automatic 3-speed A470 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100.3 in (2,548 mm)
Length	179.2 in (4,552 mm)
Width	68 in (1,727 mm)
Height	52.9 in (1,344 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Dodge 600

The Dodge 400 was a mid-size car built by Dodge. It was similar to the Chrysler LeBaron of the same era. The 400 was introduced for the 1982 model year but renamed and merged into the Dodge 600 lineup just two years later. An improved version of Chrysler's K-cars, it was called the Super K platform.

Design

While heavily dependent on the K-car, the suspension geometry was revised with computer-aided design (CAD), one of Chrysler's first forays into this area. Aside from the suspension modifications, the interior was plusher and the front and rear designs were different. To provide higher comfort than in the regular K-cars, particular care was paid to sound proofing, with a redesigned firewall and additional isolating material throughout.

Aside from the stacked-slat grille being different from that of the LeBaron, the 400 was somewhat less ornate overall. Faux louvres on the front fenders were unique to the 400.

Model years

1982

The 400 was intended to be a more upmarket version of the Aries and a corporate twin of the downsized LeBaron. It was originally only available as a two-door coupé. In the spring of 1982 two additional bodystyles appeared: a convertible and a four-door sedan. The 400's suspension, while soft, was somewhat firmer than that of its LeBaron sister.

This was Dodge's first convertible since the 1971 Challenger and one of the first domestically-manufactured convertibles since 1976, when Cadillac had phased out the Eldorado convertible.

The 400 was available in two trim levels: base and LS. Engine choices were limited to a 2.2 L inline-four engine or an optional Mitsubishi-sourced 2.6 L "Silent Shaft" four-cylinder; this was only available coupled to an automatic. The convertible came with the Mitsubishi-sourced engine as standard. Outputs were 84 and 92 hp (63 and 69 kW) respectively.

1983

There were no major changes made for 1983 other than the LS trim being omitted from the lineup. During 1983, the 400 sedan was replaced by the longer wheelbase Dodge 600. The coupes and convertibles remained on the shorter wheelbase but were rebadged as Dodge 600 from 1984.

	Coupe	Sedan	Convertible	Yearly Total
1982	19,443	6,465	5,541	31,449
1983	11,504	9,560	4,888	25,952
Total	30,947	16,025	10,429	57,401

Design

Model years

1982

1983

Production

References

External links