Dodge Neon deserves a comeback – Stellantis can do it tomorrow

The primary all-new compact Mopar for the reason that malaise-era Okay-Automobile, the Dodge Neon was a revelation. Its enjoyable, approachable face, its “Hello.” advertising marketing campaign, all of it was pitch-perfect for the unsure instances it was launched into. Now, a technology later, Stellantis faces equally unsure instances – and a brand new Neon might go a good distance in the direction of serving to the outdated Chrysler Co. do what it does finest: come again from the brink.

In the event that they needed to, Stellantis might make it occur tomorrow.

Right this moment, Stellantis is in bother. Very similar to it was within the early 90s, the corporate is hemorrhaging money, combating with the unions, and struggling to promote higher-end vehicles. Right this moment as then, what the corporate wants is an inexpensive, easy new automobile to get individuals within the showrooms – and in 1994, that new automobile was the Neon.

Within the mid-late Nineteen Nineties, the Dodge Neon was all over the place. It was inexpensive, enjoyable to drive, and kind of dependable. It was additionally economical and fuel-efficient, however it wasn’t that manner. It was offered as a enjoyable, smiling face with funky spherical lights. In R/T and ACR spec, it was offered as an much more enjoyable, smiling face, and supplied severe efficiency chops that also get the grizzled Gen X guys on the SCCA/NASA observe days excited.

Commercial – scroll for extra content material

Stellantis is promoting a automobile proper now, in the present day, that meets all that standards. It’s the appropriate measurement, it’s moderately inexpensive, and it’s obtained the appropriate tech – accessible as each a PHEV and a pure EV – for its time.

It’s even obtained some funky spherical lights!

Ypsilon HF lacency

As you possibly can see from the specs, above, the first-gen Neon is fairly shut when it comes to measurement and efficiency, with the trendy Ypsilon providing considerably improved emissions, expertise, and security upgrades in comparison with the OG Neonwhich didn’t even provide anti-lock brakes (ABS) as customary on its base or Highline fashions (it was customary on the Sport and, later, R/T trims).

There’s even a contemporary allegory for the extremely track-focused ACR model of the Neon, which shipped with its adjustable suspension, anti-sway bars, disc brakes, and close-ratio transmission. That’s the Lancia Ypsilon HF, a 280 HP sporty compact EV that made its debut final week and initially impressed this text.

Try the unique launch advert for the 1995 Plymouth Neon, under, and inform me they couldn’t do a shot-for-shot remake with a rebadged Ypsilon and make it instantly related to automobile consumers in 1995 within the feedback.

Plymouth Neon launch business from 1994

Authentic content material from Elecrektrek.

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