Dodge Aries

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Dodge Aries
Dodge
Production: 1981-1989
Class: Compact
Body Style: 2-Door Coupe, 4-Door Sedan, 5-Door Wagon
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase: 100.1"
Weight: 2600-2800 lbs
Transmissions: 4-Speed Manual, 3-Speed Automatic
Engines: 2.2L (135 cid) I4
Power: Front
Similar: Plymouth Reliant, Chrysler LeBaron (1982-1988)
Platform: K

The Dodge Aries, otherwise known as a "K-car", is ultimately best described as "the car that saved Chrysler's bacon". The Aries (and its K-car twin Reliant) was all new in 1981, replacing the departed Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare. It was Chrysler's first domestic front wheel drive car, and had a 100.1" wheelbase. The K-cars were a huge gamble for Chrysler, who had just received numerous government assistance and bailouts on behalf of Chairman Lee Iacocca prior to their introduction. Had the K-cars turned out to be sales duds, it's very likely Chrysler would not exist today, at least in its present form. But not only were they successful, the K-car chassis spawned multiple spinoffs, not the least of which were sport coupes and minivans (in fact, by the mid-80s the only Chrysler cars that weren't K-car knockoffs were the L-body Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon and the rear-drive M-bodies (Chrysler Fifth Avenue/Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury).

See Wikicars' comprehensive Dodge Aries Review.

Main Competitors

• Buick Skylark/Somerset
• Chevrolet Citation/Corsica
• Ford Fairmont/Tempo
• Honda Accord
• Mercury Zephyr/Topaz
• Oldsmobile Omega/Calais
• Pontiac Phoenix/Grand Am
• Subaru Loyale
• Toyota Camry
• Volkswagen Jetta

1981

Aries premier year, base engine was the 2.2L 84 hp I4, available with a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. Optional was the Mitsubishi-built 2.6L "Hemi" 96 hp I4, automatic only. Bodystyles included a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and a 5-door station wagon. Styling was the basic 3-box type. Aries styling differed from the Reliant's only by a different grille and taillights. The K-cars were off to an admirable start in their inaugural year, racking up over 300,000 sales between the Aries and Reliant.

1982

Only minor changes for the second year K-cars, such as a counterbalanced hood eliminating the need for a prop-rod. The windows in the sedans and wagons actually rolled down this year (they were fixed in place on the 81 models). Engine choices remained the same as last year. Also the "K" badges were removed from the exterior nameplates. The K-car's first 2 spinoffs happened this year in the form of the new Chrysler LeBaron and Dodge 400, with more upscale surroundings than the Aries/Reliant.

1983

The biggest change this year was an additional 10 hp for the 2.2L I4, to 94 hp. Otherwise there were no real changes to speak of this year. This year's K-car spinoffs were the larger (and short-lived) Chrysler E-Class and New Yorker, and the Dodge 600.

1984

All new dashboards with temp and oil pressure gauges were standard this year, and all radios were now digital. Both the Aries and Reliant gained the Chrysler pentastar badge mounted squarely in the middle of their grilles. The 2.6L I4 received a slight horsepower boost to 101. This year the K-cars spunoff the Chrysler Laser and Dodge Daytona sport coupes and the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans. It should be noted that the various turbo variants of the 2.2L (and later 2.5) engines were never offered on the Aries or Reliant.

1985

The K-cars sported restyled noses and tails, becoming more rounded at the front and more formal in the rear. The Aries and Reliant again differed only in their grilles and taillights. Despite the changes, exterior and interior dimensions remained the same as before. Engine and transmission choices also remained the same. K-car spinoffs this year included the Chrysler LeBaron GTS and Dodge Lancer, resurrecting an old nameplate last used in the early '60s.

1986

The biggest change this year was the demise of the Mitsubishi 2.6L I4, replaced by a Chrysler-built 100 hp 2.5L I4. Fuel injection made its way to both the 2.2 and 2.5 engines this year - horsepower for the 2.2 remained at 94. The only exterior change was the addition of the mandatory Center High-Mounted Stop Light in the rear.

1987

1987 saw no appreciable changes to the Aries or Reliant other than a stainless steel exhaust system. K-car spinoffs this year were the Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance, as well as a new handsome LeBaron coupe.

1988

Following the Omni and Horizon's lead, the Aries and Reliant were now offered in value-oriented "America" trim, making many previously optional items standard, such as AM/FM stereo, power steering and brakes, etc. Transmissions on both engines gained lock-up torque converters. Spinoffs this year were the larger Dynasty and Chrysler New Yorker sedans.

1989

Other than the station wagon model being discontinued, the Aries and Reliant stood pretty much pat for their final year. The 2.2L engine received a power boost to 100 hp. Although the Aries and Reliant were at the end of their respective roads this year, the "K-car" platform was by no means dead. In fact, it spawned off 2 more variants this year, first of which were the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim, which would replace the Aries and Reliant. Another spinoff this year was the rather curious Chrysler TC by Maserati (the car's actual name), a 2-seat convertible which was a short-lived joint venture between Chrysler and Maserati.