For the pre-1982 Plymouth Caravelle and 1983-1989 Caravelle Salon sold in Canada, see Plymouth Gran Fury.
The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-size sedan that was introduced by Plymouth as a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600. It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim in 1989. The Caravelle was Plymouth's first front wheel drive mid-size sedan.
The name of the vehicle was inspired by the word Caravel, a 15th-century sailing ship used by the Portuguese; the ship was noted for its speed and agility.
For 1985, the Chrysler brand dropped its unsuccessful entry-level variant of the E platform, the Chrysler E-Class (the idea of a more mainstream Chrysler was not well received by consumers). Even though the Dodge 600 was mainstream, Dodges were not generally sold with Chryslers, so rather than only having the upscale New Yorker on Chrysler-Plymouth dealer lots, the former E-Class was given a new grille and rebranded as a Plymouth and thus the U.S. Caravelle was created. This model was slotted between the compact Reliant K and the large rear-wheel drive Gran Fury.
For its first year the Caravelle came in one trim level with a number of standard features, the Caravelle SE. These standard features including: AM/FM stereo, power windows, power locks, power adjustable mirrors, deck lid release, cruise control, air conditioning, and a 50/50 split front bench seat, with dual recliners. For 1986, the Caravelle was given a facelift, which rounded many of the sharp angles, giving it a more aerodynamic appearance. Also from 1986 onward, a base model was offered, without some of the standard features of the "SE". The Caravelle continued in the U.S. until 1988, when it was replaced by the new A bodyAcclaim for 1989. Unlike the identical Canadian Caravelle, a 2-door coupe model was never offered in the U.S.
EnginesEdit
2.2L I4 - 96 hp (72 kW) and 119 ft⋅lbf (161 N⋅m) of torque - 1985-1988
2.2L I4 Turbo - 146 hp (109 kW) and 168 ft⋅lbf (228 N⋅m) of torque - 1985-1988
2.5L I4 - 100 hp (75 kW) and 136 ft⋅lbf (184 N⋅m) of torque - 1986-1988
2.6L I4 - 1986 (replaced by Chrysler's 2.5 L engine)
Trim levelsEdit
Trim levels for U.S. version, 1985-1988
SE - 1985-1988
base - 1986-1988
Production figures for U.S. version:
Year
Units
1985
39,971
1986
34,352
1987
42,465
1988
16,889
Figures obtained from
CanadaEdit
1978 Plymouth Caravelle (Canada)
In Canada, the Caravelle first appeared for the 1978 model year as a version of the Dodge Diplomat for Canadian Chrysler-Plymouth dealers.[1] As all Chrysler Canada dealers sold Chryslers, only the top-of-the-line LeBaron was sold in Canada, and the Diplomat and Caravelle did not offer the top line models. The top of the range Caravalle was approximately $670 cheaper than the LeBaron.[1] Between 1978 and mid-1981, all Caravelles were built at the Chrysler plant in St Louis.[1] In 1983, Chrysler Canada added the E-body version of the Dodge 600, also offering it as a Plymouth Caravelle. The rear wheel drive Caravelle then became the Caravelle Salon, rather than taking the American "Gran Fury" name. Also in 1983, Chrysler Canada added a Caravelle version of the Dodge 400 2-door coupe. Thus the Caravelle came in three sizes based on three platforms - K, E, and M.
The coupe was dropped after 1986 while sedan production came to an end in 1988. Like the U.S. version, the Canadian Caravelle was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim for 1989. The Caravelle Salon, which was the original rear wheel drive version, survived until 1989.
ReferencesEdit
^ abcZavitz, Perry (1985). Canadian Cars, 1946-1984. Baltimore: Bookman Publishing. p. 114. ISBN0934780439.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Plymouth Caravelle.
Allpar.com - Plymouth Caravelle front wheel drive
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October 15, 2023
plymouth, caravelle, confused, with, renault, caravelle, 1982, 1983, 1989, caravelle, salon, sold, canada, plymouth, gran, fury, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sourc. Not to be confused with Renault Caravelle For the pre 1982 Plymouth Caravelle and 1983 1989 Caravelle Salon sold in Canada see Plymouth Gran Fury This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Plymouth Caravelle news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid size sedan that was introduced by Plymouth as a 1983 Canadian model The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E Class It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600 It was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim in 1989 The Caravelle was Plymouth s first front wheel drive mid size sedan Plymouth CaravelleOverviewManufacturerPlymouth Chrysler Production1985 1988 U S 1983 1988 Canada AssemblyJefferson Avenue Assembly Detroit Michigan U S Body and chassisClassMid sizeBody style4 door sedan2 door coupeLayoutTransverse front engine front wheel drivePlatformE body Sedan K body Coupe RelatedChrysler E ClassChrysler New YorkerDodge 600PowertrainEngine2 2 L K I42 2 L Turbo I I42 5 L K I42 6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4Transmission5 speed A520 manual5 speed A525 manual3 speed A413 automatic3 speed A470 automaticDimensionsWheelbase103 3 in 2 624 mm Length185 2 in 4 704 mm Width68 0 in 1 727 mm Height53 1 in 1 349 mm Curb weight2 598 lb 1 178 kg ChronologyPredecessorChrysler E ClassSuccessorPlymouth AcclaimThe name of the vehicle was inspired by the word Caravel a 15th century sailing ship used by the Portuguese the ship was noted for its speed and agility Contents 1 United States 1 1 Engines 1 2 Trim levels 2 Canada 3 ReferencesUnited States Edit nbsp 1988 Plymouth Caravelle SEFor 1985 the Chrysler brand dropped its unsuccessful entry level variant of the E platform the Chrysler E Class the idea of a more mainstream Chrysler was not well received by consumers Even though the Dodge 600 was mainstream Dodges were not generally sold with Chryslers so rather than only having the upscale New Yorker on Chrysler Plymouth dealer lots the former E Class was given a new grille and rebranded as a Plymouth and thus the U S Caravelle was created This model was slotted between the compact Reliant K and the large rear wheel drive Gran Fury For its first year the Caravelle came in one trim level with a number of standard features the Caravelle SE These standard features including AM FM stereo power windows power locks power adjustable mirrors deck lid release cruise control air conditioning and a 50 50 split front bench seat with dual recliners For 1986 the Caravelle was given a facelift which rounded many of the sharp angles giving it a more aerodynamic appearance Also from 1986 onward a base model was offered without some of the standard features of the SE The Caravelle continued in the U S until 1988 when it was replaced by the new A body Acclaim for 1989 Unlike the identical Canadian Caravelle a 2 door coupe model was never offered in the U S Engines Edit 2 2L I4 96 hp 72 kW and 119 ft lbf 161 N m of torque 1985 1988 2 2L I4 Turbo 146 hp 109 kW and 168 ft lbf 228 N m of torque 1985 1988 2 5L I4 100 hp 75 kW and 136 ft lbf 184 N m of torque 1986 1988 2 6L I4 1986 replaced by Chrysler s 2 5 L engine Trim levels Edit Trim levels for U S version 1985 1988 SE 1985 1988 base 1986 1988Production figures for U S version Year Units1985 39 9711986 34 3521987 42 4651988 16 889Figures obtained from Encyclopedia of American CarsCanada Edit nbsp 1978 Plymouth Caravelle Canada In Canada the Caravelle first appeared for the 1978 model year as a version of the Dodge Diplomat for Canadian Chrysler Plymouth dealers 1 As all Chrysler Canada dealers sold Chryslers only the top of the line LeBaron was sold in Canada and the Diplomat and Caravelle did not offer the top line models The top of the range Caravalle was approximately 670 cheaper than the LeBaron 1 Between 1978 and mid 1981 all Caravelles were built at the Chrysler plant in St Louis 1 In 1983 Chrysler Canada added the E body version of the Dodge 600 also offering it as a Plymouth Caravelle The rear wheel drive Caravelle then became the Caravelle Salon rather than taking the American Gran Fury name Also in 1983 Chrysler Canada added a Caravelle version of the Dodge 400 2 door coupe Thus the Caravelle came in three sizes based on three platforms K E and M The coupe was dropped after 1986 while sedan production came to an end in 1988 Like the U S version the Canadian Caravelle was replaced by the Plymouth Acclaim for 1989 The Caravelle Salon which was the original rear wheel drive version survived until 1989 References Edit a b c Zavitz Perry 1985 Canadian Cars 1946 1984 Baltimore Bookman Publishing p 114 ISBN 0934780439 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Plymouth Caravelle Allpar com Plymouth Caravelle front wheel drive Allpar com Plymouth Caravelle Salon rear wheel drive 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