Dodge Avenger

Dodge Avenger

Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors (1995-2000) Chrysler LLC (2008-present)
Production	1995-1997 2008-present
Class	Mid-size
Manuals	Service Manual

The Dodge Avenger name identifies four different cars:

• The Dodge Avenger which was a renamed "Hillman Avenger"
• The Dodge Avenger coupe (1995-2000)
• The Dodge Avenger Concept from the 2003 North American International Auto Show
• The Dodge Avenger (JS) sedan released in 2007 for the 2008 model year.

Rebranded Hillman Avenger (1970s)

In the 1970s, the Hillman Avenger was branded as a Dodge in some markets where the Hillman brand did not exist. At the time, Hillman was owned by Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler's 1970 Annual Report noted that these markets were outside of North America and Europe; the Dodge Avenger was sold in including South Africa and possibly other countries .

The Hillman/Dodge Avenger was a relatively small, light B-class car with rear wheel drive, with a computer-designed body shell in sedan and station wagon variants. It used new four-cylinder Rootes Group engines, except for Dodge Avengers assembled in South Africa, which used Peugeot engines to meet local content rules.

Dodge Avenger coupe (1995-2000)

Dodge Avenger coupe

Production	1995–2000
Assembly	Normal, Illinois, USA
Predecessor	Dodge Daytona Dodge Stealth
Successor	Dodge Stratus coupe (for 2001)
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Chrysler FJ platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L 420A I4 2.5 L Mitsubishi 6G73 V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 4-speed 41TE automatic
Wheelbase	103.7 in (2634 mm)
Length	190.2 in (4831 mm) (1998-2000) 187.2 in (4755 mm) (1995-97)
Width	69.1 in (1755 mm) (1998-2000) 68.5 in (1740 mm) (1995-97)
Height	53.0 in (1346 mm) (1998-2000) 51 in (1295 mm) (1995-97)
Related	Chrysler Sebring (coupe) Eagle Talon Mitsubishi Eclipse Mitsubishi Galant

The first Dodge Avenger to be sold in North America was a 2-door coupe produced from 1995 to 2000, in a similar size and price class as the Dodge Daytona, which was discontinued in 1993. The Avenger, along with the similar Chrysler Sebring coupe, was built by Diamond Star Motors (DSM), a joint venture between Chrysler Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors, on a version of the Mitsubishi Galant platform (which also spawned the similar Mitsubishi Eclipse). Mitsubishi purchased Chrysler's share of the joint venture in 1995. Avengers and Sebring coupes built from 1995 to 1996 both have DSM markings in their engine compartments.

The Avenger had a 103 in (2.62 m) wheelbase and used either a 2.0 L straight-4 (the Chrysler 420A) or a Mitsubishi-designed 2.5 L V6. The 4-cylinder was coupled to either a five-speed manual transmission, shared with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon, or a 4-speed automatic. The V6 was only available with the A604 transmission.

Changes

ABS was used in all ES models to 1999. In 1997, the front fascia, trunklid, and rear bumper were changed; 16 inch wheels were standard, and the license plate was moved from the decklid to the rear bumper. In 2000, the V6 and automatic transmission combination was made standard on all Avengers, and ABS was made an "option" for ES models. The four-cylinder engine was dropped for 2000.

Trims

• 1995-2000 - "Highline" base model (V6 among other options made standard in 2000)
• 1995-2000 - ES

A "Sport Appearance Package" could be added on to Base model cars. This package included alloy wheels (different from those on the ES) with other options.

Timeline

1994: A 1994 Dodge IROC Dodge Avenger sports coupe replaced the Dodge Daytona, which had been used since 1990. Only six of these were sold from IROC in New Jersey. All were powered by a small block V8.

1995: Initial introduction - replaces the Daytona. A DOHC 16-valve 2.0 L I4 engine (140 hp, 130 lb·ft (176 N·m) of torque) is standard. A SOHC 24-valve 2.5 L V6 engine and an automatic transmission (155 hp, 160 lb·ft (217 N·m) of torque) are made optional on the ES. Fog lamps and ABS are also optional on the ES.

1996: Power and torque ratings for the V6 are increased (163 horsepower, 170 lb·ft (230 N·m). torque), ES Coupes had new seat fabric.

1997: Sport model introduced (in addition to the base and SE). The Avenger Sport package consisted of exclusive 16-inch aluminum wheels and a body-color spoiler. New front and rear fascias are added. Added a body-color rear spoiler, P215/50HR17 tires, and 17-inch cast aluminum wheels for the ES. The V6 is also standard for the ES, as well as rear disc brakes.

1998: An on-board recycling vapor recovery system, cafe latte exterior color and a black and gray interior color combination are added.

1999: Next generation driver and front passenger airbags are added, as well as a new exterior color: Shark Blue. The V6 engine and automatic transmission are standard on all models in mid-year, as well as several options.

2000: Last year for the Avenger. V6/automatic drive train are standard. ABS an option on ES models. Gained a number of standard features that had previously been optional, including power windows and locks. Base models added cruise control and 4-wheel disc brakes. ES coupes now come with standard leather upholstery, keyless remote entry, and a power driver's seat.

In 2000, the Avenger was discontinued and replaced by the Dodge Stratus coupe for 2001. This model was also made at the former Diamond Star plant by Mitsubishi, using the Eclipse platform and architecture, though the Stratus sedan was engineered and built by Chrysler.

Dodge Avenger sedan (2008-present)

Dodge Avenger sedan

Production	2008-present
Assembly	Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA
Predecessor	Dodge Stratus
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler JS platform
Engine(s)	2.4 L GEMA I4 Complete engine specs  •Displacement:144.0 CID (2,360 cc)  •Stroke: 3.82 in (97 mm)  •Bore: 3.46 in (88 mm)  •Power: 173 hp ({{rnd/cdec||()}} kW) 2.7 L EER V6 Complete engine specs  •Displacement:167.0 CID (2,736 cc)  •Stroke: 3.82 in (97 mm)  •Bore: 3.46 in (88 mm)  •Power: 187 hp ({{rnd/cdec||()}} kW) 3.5 L EGJ V6 Complete engine specs  •Displacement:214.0 CID (3,518 cc)  •Stroke: 3.19 in (81 mm)  •Bore: 3.78 in (96 mm)  •Power: 235 hp ({{rnd/cdec||()}} kW) 2.0 L TDI I4 Complete engine specs  •Displacement:120.1 CID (1,968 cc)  •Stroke: ?  •Bore: ?  •Power: ?  •Fuel: Diesel
Transmission(s)	4-speed 40TES automatic 4-speed 41TES automatic 6-speed 62TE automatic
Wheelbase	108.9 in (2766 mm)
Length	190.9 in (4849 mm)
Width	71.8 in (1824 mm)
Height	58.9 in (1496 mm)
Related	Mitsubishi Lancer Mitsubishi Outlander Chrysler Sebring Dodge Caliber Jeep Compass Jeep Patriot Dodge Journey
Designer	Ryan Nagode, Graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Industrial Design Program 2003

The Dodge Avenger name returned in February 2007 as a MY2008 model as a sedan to replace the Dodge Stratus, whose coupe version had replaced the original Avenger in 2001. According to some reports, the Avenger, along with the redesigned Chrysler Sebring, shares a DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi Motors platform called JS which used the Mitsubishi GS as a starting point, then was heavily modified. The base engine in the SE and SXT trim levels is the 2.4 LGEMAI4 naturally-aspirated "World Engine", a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai. Additional engines include an optional 2.7 L V6 in the SXT and a standard 3.5 L V6 in the R/T trim level. In addition to the 2.4 L "World Engine" and the V6s, export vehicles will be offered with the 2.0 L naturally-aspirated "World Engine", as well as a 2.0 L turbocharged diesel (Pumpe-Düse) made by Volkswagen. As a 2008 model, the Dodge Avenger came to showrooms in February 2007.

Dodge Avenger

Features on the new Avenger include optional heated/cooled cup holders as well as Dodge's new "Chill Zone", a feature that comes standard on all Avenger models, which can store up to four 12-US fl oz cans in the glove box and chill them to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Like its Dodge Journey stablemate, the Avenger's exterior was styled by Chrysler's Ryan Nagode. The interior was styled by Ben S. Chang.

The Avenger replaced the Charger as Dodge's car in NASCAR in 2007 for Car of Tomorrow races. It got its first win with former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya in the 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway.

The Avenger was officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on September 28, 2006 as a concept car. It has been launched in Europe and will be sold in Britain, filling a gap in the Chrysler range that was left by the Neon's demise four years earlier. It has also been launched in Australia, although currently with only the 2.4L engine.

In the US, the Avenger was launched with a 30 television ad, "Tuned Up," that debuted Sunday, March 4, 2007 during NHL hockey, an ad in which a lab technician discovers he can play Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple on the Avenger's transmission. Another television spot likened the Avenger to the "superhero" vehicle for the everyman, depicting a driver piloting his Avenger through Gotham-like streets and alleys, speaking to the MyGig entertainment system in distinctly Batman-reminiscent tones, to arrive home, pull into a two-car garage and open the rear door to a sleeping child in the rear car-seat.

Trims

SE: 2.4L 4 Cyl DOHC 16V Dual VVT 4-speed automatic (discontinued in 2009)

SXT: 2.4L 4 Cyl DOHC 16V Dual VVT 4-speed automatic SXT optional powertrain: 2.7L V6 DOHC 24-valve MPI 4-speed automatic

R/T: 3.5L High Output V6 24V MPI 6-speed automatic

R/T AWD: 3.5L High Output V6 24V MPI 6-speed automatic (Discontinued in 2009)

Motorsport

The first-generation Dodge Avenger body style was widely used in the National Hot Rod Association, but came to the most prominence being driven by Darrell Alderman, and Scott Geoffrion, during their run from 1994-2000, as the celebrated Dodge Boys. The car was also used for the 1994 and 1995 incarnations of the International Race of Champions. The second-generation Dodge Avenger was used in the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Season as the Car of Tomorrow model from Dodge. In 2008, the Dodge CoT was changed back to the Charger.

See also

• Chrysler Sebring (coupe)
• Chrysler Sebring (sedan)

References

Dodge Avenger Interior

• AutoWeek: 2008 Dodge Avenger
• Allpar: Hillman Avenger and Tiger
• Allpar: 1995-2000 Sebring
• Allpar: 2008-2009 Dodge Avenger
• Avenger ad campaigns
• 2008 Dodge Avenger Product Heritage from the Chrysler Media Site