The business was saved from extinction in early ’80s thanks to government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the real history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Suitable for families and in a position to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a complete new vehicle segment — the minivan. Much like other American auto manufacturers, Dodge’s fortunes started to slip in the ’70s because of changing tastes and increased competition.
On paper, the 14.7 cubic-foot trunk capacity is generous, but that’s only if you pile your cargo to the roof. The usable space is actually limited by a thin well behind an enormous hump. In the passenger compartment, storage is also light, with several small pockets and bins. Our best advice is to pack light. Side visibility is compromised by wide roof pillars. Looking back isn’t easy either, and 2023 Dodge Viper the tiny hatch forces heavy reliance on the rearview camera. Visibility is limited, with the mixture of a suprisingly low roof line and a high beltline that makes you are feeling as though you’re peeking through a mail slot to see from the car.
More recent years have observed Dodge focus on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, which makes it a separate Ram brand. Time will tell how successful Dodge’s latest makeover is. But make no mistake; Dodge continues to be considered Chrysler’s performance division thanks to cars like the Challenger and Charger.
The EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2017 Dodge Viper is 14 mpg combined (12 city/19 highway), which is poor even with this class of high-performance cars. On the test track, the 2023 Dodge Viper Viper GT accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. Power is provided for a corner wheels using a six-speed manual, the only transmission available. During our year-long testing with a Dodge Viper GT, we found it might easily clear the city/highway estimates if you are using a gentle foot, but when you can’t resist the urge to pedal loudly, easily be single-digit mileage. The Dodge Viper is powered by an 8.4-liter V10 that creates 645 hp and 600 pound-feet of torque.
Inside, the inner 2023 Dodge Viper features many soft-touch surfaces and quality materials through the cabin, but similarly priced competitors do much better. As the Viper’s cabin is cramped, taller passengers could have equipment issues. Essentially, the Viper’s pricing puts it against some serious luxury sports cars, and the interior doesn’t reflect that. One bright spot could be the Uconnect infotainment interface, that will be one of the finest systems available with regards to simplicity of use and responsiveness.
Right after, America’s economy slid into recession. As a result of poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. A couple of years later, Dodge came to be element of DaimlerChrysler, a consequence of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler. The merger never truly worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to an exclusive equity firm in 2007. The early ’90s saw the company wow the general public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a fresh standard for big-rig-like styling. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came in order of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge’s entries have been roundly criticized for mediocre construction and unrefined performance.
Before couple of decades, it has revitalized itself to become a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by way of a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company’s model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I. The Dodge is certainly one of America’s most storied automotive brands, Dodge ‘s been around since early days of the auto industry. Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts.
From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division accountable for trucks and performance-oriented cars. Dodge was briefly owned with a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. That decade also saw the launch of among Dodge’s most iconic vehicles, the Charger. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles like the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; furthermore, producer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning. Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the maker in American driveways through the entire 1960s. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. Best of all, 2023 Dodge Viper the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop beneath the hood. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970. Dodge’s muscle car was on the basis of the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel.