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Automotive Guide Dodge Neon: From Race Track to Exquisite Interior

By: Terry Brown
Automotive Guide

From 1928 to present, the Dodge is a brand name of automobiles and light to heavy-duty trucks that is marketed by the Germany-based DaimlerChrysler AG. Although, by looking at the brand’s history, it was named Dodge Brother Motor Vehicle Company back in 1914 up to 1927. Come the year 1998, the Dodge was then acquired by Daimler-Benz, along with all other Chrysler subsidiaries. Now part of the DaimlerChrysler company, the Dodge, as of 2005, has become primarily known for its trucks. The trucks manufactured by the company account for a whopping 78 per cent of the division’s sales. However, the company is trying to change this status by introducing the new Dodge Charger.

One of the vehicles that is included in the Dodge brand’s line up of creations is the Dodge Neon. Introduced in 1995, it had suffered a main criticism from patrons and enthusiasts – being a car that lacks refinement. It also suffered from a lousy engine and a great deal of cabin noise. However, all these disadvantages are overpowered by the Dodge Neon’s sprightly performance and its spacious interior. Improvements had been done to the Neon that had updated the car’s looks. Addition of gears and improvement of its transmission had also been included. The engine noise and vibration levels that haunted its owners during its early years were reduced. These improved the Neon’s ride and handling.

Also known as SX 2.0 and SRT-4, the Dodge Neon is a compact car. It is a front wheel drive car and it had replaced the Dodge Shadow and the Plymouth Sundance. The first breed of Neon was crafted during the years 1995 to 1999. It was made available as a 4-door sedan or a 2-door coupe. It was given the power of either a 132 hp 2.0 liter SOHC or a 150 hp 2.0 liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine. Also, it had a 3-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission. This first generation of Dodge Neons are actually quite competitive in Solo I and Solo II autocross racing. Well known as an affordable amateur racing car is the two-door DOHC R/T variant.

In 2000, the second-generation version of the Neon was crafted and made more refined than the first wave. Frameless windows were replaced with a full-framed door. Other changes done to the Dodge Neon made the vehicle have a quieter and enjoyable passenger ride. However, it did not become competitive for races since the revised interior had come in with an increase in its weight. Come 2003, a turbocharged version of the Dodge Neon was then created. It was built on the same basic chassis as the regular second-generation Neon. It was a small, affordable, front-wheel drive economy car that was quite powerful.

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Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto-related. He currently writes auto-related articles for several publications.

Automotive Guide Tag : Auto Parts Dodge Parts Dodge Bumpers

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