Dodge Shadow

A perfect lowest priced family car: Dodge shadow

Introduction of Dodge Shadow:-

The Dodge Shadow is a compact 3-door hatchbacks  car. This car was introduced for the 1987. In the year 1991, its other convertible 2-door variant was launched. This 3-door hatchback model replaced the Dodge Charger. With the 1987 acquisition of American Motors by Chrysler from Renault, the Shadow/Sundance also replaced the American Motors-built Renault Alliance sedan. This model had convertible marking the official withdraws of Renault from the United States and Canadian markets.  In 25 august 1986 the first vehicle was rolled out of Sterling Heights Assembly.  In the later year of 1988, the Mexican market version launched   Chrysler Shadow at Toluca Car Assembly. The Dodge Shadow was sold in Europe during the year 1988 to 1991. In Europe this car was known as the Chrysler ES. Omen technical reasons in March 9, 1994, the production of dodge shadow was stopped.

Other models of dodge shadow and their features:-

• In the year 1989, the Shadow/Sundance had gone through a facelift. This new model had a sealed-beam headlamps to provide more aerodynamic composite units. Also new grilles and tail lights  were the other modifications.
• In the year 1990, this car had gone through the modification of manual transmission. The main purpose of this modification is to make shifting into reverse easier by moving from the "left of first" position to the “below fifth gear" position.
• Convertible version of the Shadow debuted in the year 1991.
• In 1992, turbocharged engine of shadow is replaced by 3.0 L V6 engine, which was build by Mitsubishi.
• In the year 1993, Bendix-4 ABS of shadow was available which actually a low pressure car was.
• Between April 1988 and mid-1991, dodge shadow was sold as Chrysler ES in several European markets.   This car is offered with only 3-door hatchback model. Its standard engine was the fuel injected 2.2 L engine, which was available with an optional turbocharger engine. In 1989, the 2.2 L was replaced by 2.5 L unit.
• Modified version of shadow Carroll Shelby  was a light weight and performance-oriented vehicles. This vehicle is equipped with a 2.2L turbocharged engine. 

Options and packages of dodge shadow:

Features of dodge shadow was varied year by year, but some features such as power windows, power door locks, power adjustable mirrors, power adjustable driver seat, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, variable intermittent delay windshield wipers, , upgraded "highline" instrument cluster with tachometer, overhead console with map lights and compass/temperature display light package,  glove box, remote trunk release, under-hood mounted light and rear door dome light switches (4 door models), rear window defroster,  mag wheels, Fog lights, Four wheel disc brakes, Infinity sound system, a sunroof, a cassette player, anti-lock brake systems and on turbocharger equipped cars are available with all the models.

Options of Trim levels dodge shadow:-

Hatchback:

• Base model  (1987-1990, 1993-1994)
• America/S  model (1991-1992)
• Highline  model (1991-1992)
• ES 1987-1994 (Shadow)
• RS 1988-1991 (Sundance)
• Duster 1992-1994 (Sundance)

Convertible:

• ES 1991-1993
• Highline 1991-1993

Under the hood:-

The dodge Shadow/Sundance was offered with variety of four cylinder engines. All engines are either of 2.2L or 2.5 L. some engines were turbocharged. Most popular versions were fuel injected version. These models were very popular in Mexico.  The engines were tuned to produce more torque rather than horsepower. In later years Mitsubishi-built 3.0 L V6 engine was added to shadow which is more powerful than turbocharged engine.  All engines were available with a five-speed manual transmission. While four cylinders equipped cars and a 4 speed automatic transmission were also available as optional of V6 powered cars.

Fuel Economy of dodge Shadow:-

In terms of fuel cost saving this car gives the extra ordinary performances. With its 2.2 liter engine and five-speed transmission, this car gives the average mileage of 28 mpg.   On high way it gives about 27-28 mpg at consistent speed.  If you want to increase the gas mileage of the vehicle you can bent the door to bring it closer to the roof to fix the wind noise and tighten the weather stripping.  By this tricks you can have improvement of 1.5 mile per gallon.

Safety and technology of dodge shadow:-

In terms of safety features this car was fully loaded with safety equipments of that time.  At the driver and its nearby seat, there was a side seat belt available in American market which is necessary According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208's requirement for passive restraints.  While these motorized seat belts do not comply with Canada's safety standards. In Canadian-market Shadows/Sundance’s provided a manual passenger seatbelt. At that time, the Shadow/Sundance was an economical lowest-priced car. Also it was equipped with a standard driver's side airbag. Also the crash test report of this car was excellent.

Overall review:-

According to me dodge shadow was a perfect family car which was available in good colors and appealing looks.  The back seats can be folded and it can become more spacious like a small room.  The interior was good everything was in easy to reach and easy to read. Steering wheel was covered with leather. The car did not have power windows but had power lock system.  The price of this car was also very reasonable. Even you can say it was the lowest priced car of that time. The front space of car was spacious enough but the back row was bit little to sit for a long time. Automatic seatbelts of front row made this car more hi-tech and modern.