2001 Dodge Stratus Coupe and Sedan

What is it?
2001 Dodge Stratus Coupe and Sedan

What's special about it?
While most automakers focused on trucks and sport-utility vehicles during previews for the Chicago Show, DaimlerChrysler's Dodge division showed off an all-new midsize Stratus sedan and coupe. The new Stratus gains all-new sheetmetal and interiors, with strong styling cues borrowed from big-brother Intrepid. It also gains an optional 2.7-liter, DOHC 24-valve V6, which delivers 32 more horsepower and 20 more foot-pounds of torque than the engine it replaces. Rated at 200 ponies at 5900 rpm and 193 foot-pounds of torque at 4300 rpm, the Stratus has one of the highest horsepower ratings in its class. Base models receive a revised 2.4-liter, DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder that makes 150 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 167 foot-pounds of torque at 4400 rpm. Both engines are Mitsubishi transplants. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, AM/FM stereo cassette with four speakers, tilt steering column, power windows, locks, mirrors and trunk release, plus floor mats, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, speed control, rear window defroster, variable intermittent windshield wipers and headlamp delay. The racier-looking coupe, which replaces the Dodge Avenger, will be built at the Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Ill. The more sedate sedan will be built in Sterling Heights, Mich., Dodge plans on making about 300,000 of the new models, along with freshened versions of its Chrysler counterparts, which will be unveiled in April. Prices will be similar to the current version, which sells for between $16,000 and $19,000.

Why should you care?
According to DC brass, not everyone is buying SUVs (the U.S. market is still 50 percent cars) and cars can be fun, too. When the Strati hit showrooms later this year, they'll enter a crowded market of about 3.5 million vehicles that includes four different makes from GM and several popular models from foreign makers. Ford had competed with its Contour and Mercury Mystique, but that platform is headed to the scrap heap. In this cutthroat segment, Dodge is not only different, but downright daring as well.