Dodge Dynasty

The Dodge Dynasty was introduced in 1988 and was another K-car based sedan that succeeded both the 600 and eventually the rear-drive Diplomat. The Dynasty's squared-off styling was a bit of a departure from the now-fashionable aero "jelly bean" styling that Ford pioneered with the Taurus two years earlier. In fact, Car and Driver magazine claimed at the Dynasty's introduction that "Chrysler has turned back the clock and revived the flying brick". The Dynasty was introduced alongside the newest and latest car (among many) to use the Chrysler New Yorker nameplate and also spunoff a new stretched Imperial model in 1990.

Here's a rundown from year to year:

1988

The Dynasty was offered in base and LE models, and used Chrysler's 100 hp 2.5L I4, with Mitsubishi's 141 hp 3.0L V6 as an option (standard on the upper LE models). Transmissions were the 3-speed automatic on the I4 and V6, with the 4-speed automatic optional on the V6. Both engines used fuel injection. The Dynasty was thus far the longest K-car based platform in production, and could be considered a true 6-passenger car, unlike some of Chrysler's previous K-car offerings that made the same claim. Dashboards had a temp gauge, voltmeter and oil pressure gauge as standard, a bit of an unusual but welcome touch.

1989

No notable changes to the Dynasty in 1989.

1990

Now that the Diplomat was gone, the Dynasty became Dodge's largest car. Not counting the truck line, all of Chrysler's offerings were now front wheel drive. A new Chrysler-built 147 hp 3.3L V6 was offered as an option this year with a standard 4-speed automatic transmission. Dashboards were slightly revised but the overall layout remained the same. Dodge had some more competition this year with Chevrolet's new Celebrity replacement Lumina, but the Dynasty had become a strong seller for Dodge by now, appealing to those who preferred a more conservatively styled unassuming sedan than the Lumina or Taurus would otherwise offer. Chrysler introduced a base New Yorker Salon model this year, which was purely a Dynasty clone minus its crossbar (or "gunsight") grille.

1991

Other than some new color choices there were no changes to the Dynasty this year. All drivetrain options remained unchanged.

1992

A virtual rerun from 1991.

1993

Once again there were no changes to the Dynasty in its shortened final year. In what seemed to be a classic case of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em", the Dynasty's replacement Intrepid was everything the Dynasty wasn't: sleekly and aerodynamically styled, had sporting pretentions and, most important, wasn't another mere K-car knockoff. The Dynasty was a good strong seller for Dodge and made no apologies for its boxy conservative styling, but it was clearly time for something more modern and competitive. Dodge answered that call with its all-new LH platformed Intrepid.