Mopar Autos Menu
Choose A Car Home Books For Sale 76-77 Aspen 78-80 Aspen 75-76 Charger 77-78 Charger 75-77 Cordoba 78-80 Cordoba 81-83 Cordoba 84-86 Daytona 87-88 Daytona 89-91 Daytona 92-93 Daytona Daytona Concept 84-86 Laser 78-79 Magnum 80-81 Mirada 82-83 Mirada Mirada Concept 76-77 Volare 78-80 Volare Acknowledgements

1992-1993 Dodge Daytona

MoparAutos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1992  The exterior received its last major refreshening this year. The pop-up headlights were gone, replaced with fixed headlamps that Dodge claimed focused 52% more light. All of the hard edges of previous Daytonas were melted away, leaving a body that was sleeker, more slippery looking. The front end now sported a bulls-eye design that would soon become a design trademark across the entire Dodge lineup. The front end and under door sill ground effects were now more integrated with the rest of the body.

 

To go along with the new body was a new engine, and this would be the most powerful motor ever installed in the Daytona. Dubbed the Turbo III, this was a 2.2 liter in-line four cylinder, with dual overhead cams (DOHC) and sequential multi-port fuel injection. The 16-valve cylinder head was developed by Lotus. Also included were double counter-rotating balance shafts, an intercooler, and distributorless ignition. The power output was an amazing 224 horsepower and 217 lb/ft torque, making it the most powerful 4-cylinder in the world. 0-60 times dropped to 6 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph.

 

The 224 hp Turbo III motor was available in only one Daytona model, the top of the line IROC RT. IROC stood for International Race of Champions. This was a race in which identically prepared cars competed against each other. Up through 1990, Chevrolet Camaros were used in the race. Beginning in 1991, Dodge Daytonas replaced the Camaros, powered by 490hp 355 cid V-8's powering the rear wheels. Hoping to capitalize on the IROC name in the same way that Chevrolet so successfully did, the IROC RT replaced the Shelby as the top Daytona. Along with the Turbo III engine, the IROC RT also received a performance tuned suspension, gas-charged front struts and shock absorbers, a 1.12-inch solid front stabilizer bar and a 1.13-inch rear stabilizer bar. The only transaxle available was a 5-speed high-performance manual, with a 2.76 overall top gear ratio. The brakes were vented 4-wheel disc with optional antilock. The tires were now Z-rated P205/55ZR16 on new 16 X 6-inch cast aluminum "Ninja" wheels.

 

The rest of the lineup was reshuffled, although the powerplants were still recognizable. The base Daytona received the 2.5 liter engine as standard, with the 3.0 liter V-6 optional. Antilock brakes were now optional on the base Daytona for the first time. Gone, however, were the sleeper C/S packages. The next model was the Daytona ES, which had the same powertrain options as the base Daytona, except that the ES also gave you the ground effects and rear spoiler. The next model, the Daytona IROC (not to be confused with the IROC RT) had the 3.0 liter V-6 as standard, with the 2.5 liter 152 hp high-torque turbo optional. Next was the top of the line IROC RT.

 

Sadly, despite having the greatest engine ever available in the Daytona, sales in 1992 continued to slide, to just over 15,000 units.

 

 

1993  The Daytona continued into 1993 virtually identical to 1992. Antilock brakes were now standard on the Daytona IROC RT, optional on all other Daytonas. The 2.5 liter high-torque Turbo engine was no longer available, leaving the 3.0 liter V-6 as the sole powerplant for the Daytona IROC. Thankfully, the fabulous 224 horsepower 2.2 liter Turbo III was still available in the IROC RT.

 

Sadly, 1993 would be the last model year for the Daytona. This would also be the last year that the Daytona body was used in the IROC races. Only about 9,000 would be built in a shortened model year, ending in March. In 10 model years, 402,957 Daytonas would be built. The Daytona would be replaced by the Mitsubishi Galant based Dodge Avenger, whose biggest performance attribute was its name.