Dodge Spirit

The Dodge Spirit was introduced in January 1989 as a mid-size 5/6 passenger sedan by Dodge. It immediately replaced the similarly sized 600.[1] Many automotive references also regard the Spirit as the de facto replacement for the somewhat smaller Aries and the hatchback Lancer.[2][3][4]

The "Spirit" model name was previously used by American Motors — which Chrysler bought in 1987 — for a subcompact car called the AMC Spirit from 1979 to 1983. The Dodge Spirit sold 60,000 cars in its first year[citation needed], strong enough that Aries production was stopped mid-season. Production ended on December 9, 1994 when the Spirit was replaced by the "cab-forward" Stratus.

The Spirit could seat six with an optional front split-bench seat. It had a relatively large trunk, a simple solid-beam rear axle, and a MacPherson strut front suspension. The Spirit differed from the other A-bodies primarily in the grille and rear lamp styling, and in the exclusive availability of a sportier, higher-performing version — the R/T.