2001 Dodge Stratus R/T Arizona

High volume, high utility vehicles may have greater prominence, but there's nothing like a pretty face to elicit true visceral response among car buyers. Sport coupes, in particular, offer the most tangible proof of that axiom. But history shows that shoppers in that visually high-profile niche are a notoriously fickle bunch. Even a successful new entrant's glory days tend to last only about 18 months before the first-on-the-block trendsetters start turning their attentions elsewhere. With the arrival of the new Stratus R/T, Dodge marketing types are hoping to forestall that process. This high-styled 2-door goes well beyond being a mere "pretty face." It's a total package that bolsters elegantly aggressive sheetmetal with a host of desirable design elements and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience.

Completely restyled and reengineered for 2001, this front-drive platform previously wore the now-defunct Avenger nameplate in the Dodge lineup. Like its predecessor, the new Stratus R/T shares much in common structurally with the Mitsubishi Eclipse. For starters, both are built on the same assembly line in Normal, Illinois. Visually, the car's tastefully athletic styling echoes themes that also established the Avenger as one of the best-looking entries in its class. However, the Status R/T has a more aggressive attitude and even stronger Dodge family DNA than its departed forebear does. As with the 2001 Stratus sedan (which shares its equally new platform with the Chysler Sebring lineup), the R/T also benefits from a stronger and far stiffer unibody that helps ride and handling prowess. Significant improvements in the NVH department also yield a far quieter passenger compartment.

Historically, Dodge has reserved its "R/T" designation for the high-performance variant of any given model line. That holds true here as well. This Stratus comes standard with a new, 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter SOHC V-6. It replaces the mild-mannered 163-horse, 2.5-liter V-6 that was the sole engine offered in the previous-generation Sebring. It also boasts 53 more ponies than the 2.4-liter DOHC inline four used in the base Stratus SE coupe.

Author: Jeff Karr

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