Chrysler M platform

As Chrysler M platform (in the U.S. also: M- Body) is called a family of vehicles from the American automaker Chrysler, which was sold 1977-1989 in different versions of the Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth. The technically simple and over the years hardly modified vehicles of M platform were closely related to the 1976 models introduced Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare. In their introduction, they were positioned as a "small luxury cars" or "mid -size cars" below belonging to the B platform Intermediates and the even bigger full-size models of the C- and R- platforms; in the 1980s, they found, however, by far the largest passenger car Chrysler Corporation dar. From the M platform, some other model series the Chrysler Corporation were derived.

• 3.1 Chrysler
• 3.2 Dodge
• 3.3 Plymouth

• 4.1 Positioning and success in the North American market
• 4.2 Production

The background

The oil crisis led the mid-1970s in the United States to an increased interest in smaller but well-equipped vehicles. After initially had served the market alone some import vehicles such as the Mercedes -Benz "eight character", came to the Mercury Monarch or the far more exclusive Cadillac Seville increasingly indigenous constructions successful in this segment. Chrysler was until the mid- 1970s offer no corresponding model: On the one hand, the vehicles of the B platform were significantly larger than the market demanded it, on the other hand, the compact Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant (A- platform ) were obsolete, and their successors Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare (F platform) were located in a lower price segment. The location resulting gap in the Chrysler deal should be closed by the models of the M platform. Over the years, the initial positioning of the M platform increasingly blurred. The Chrysler Corporation always initiated many new variations that ultimately covering both the area of ​​low, entry and fleet models as well as the segment of luxury vehicles.

The M platform was positioned sent. With her not to large dimensions it was between the compact models and the classical Intermediate vehicles and was therefore of interest to clients in both market sectors.

The technique of M platform

The vehicles of the M platform were largely identical to the year before presented under the designation F- platform models, Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Vorlaré in technical terms. Since the M platform, the body shell of the F- platform almost completely took over, the basic dimensions of both series were very similar. The wheelbase limousine agreed completely, and most of the technical components such as suspension, brakes, etc. were interchangeable. This was also true for some parts of the body and the glazing. Given the technical similarities between M- and F- platform, stand-alone name of the new series basically was not justified. The fact that the new series was nevertheless not recognized as a mere variant of the F- platform, but was given its own name, was due to the fact that the Aspen and Volare were suffering in their first years of production at substantial lack of quality that attracted the company affected the reputation. By Chrysler gave the new models, the designation M - platform, their relationship should be veiled to the F- platform, so as not to jeopardize their sales.

Landing gear

The independent front suspension, which was associated with transverse torsion bars, corresponded to the relatively recent construction of the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare; a rear rigid axle with leaf springs was used, as in these models.

Drive Technology

The vehicles of the M platform were available in different time periods with three different engines.

• Between 1977 and 1983, was a 3.7 liter ( 225 cubic inch ) straight six- cylinder engine as the base engine. His performance was initially 100 hp ( 1977-1979 ), later 90 hp ( from 1980). Equipped with this engine vehicles were generally perceived to be underpowered. Their top speed was only 145 km / h and to accelerate from 10 to 100 km / h, the cars need more than 23 seconds. On the other hand, the vehicles were relatively sparingly. This old, conceived in the 1960s engine was in 1983, even in high-priced Chrysler New Yorker available.

• Throughout the production, the models of the M platform were available with a 5.2 liter ( 318 cubic inch) eight-cylinder engine. The performance of the equipped with a twin carburettor engines were 120-145 hp; the performance fluctuated depending on the respective emission regulations. Chrysler took here several times before adjustments. For use in police vehicles there was also a version with a four -barrel carburetor, which gave 165 or 175 hp.

• In the first three years of production was finally a 5.9 liter (360 cubic inch ) large eight-cylinder engine available, which made ​​155 hp.

The two smaller engines were available with either a manual four-speed transmission or a three-speed automatic, the 5.9 -liter eight- cylinder was coupled only with a three-speed automatic. For the automatic transmission and rear axle ratios were different from stock.

Bodies

On the M platform developed three different body styles, two of which - the coupe and station wagon - were available for only five years.

Limousine

Throughout the entire production period, the M platform was available as a four-door sedan. The structure had a basic structure similar to the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare the. The front end was designed more times again over the years; individual Chrysler divisions used successively different designs. For example, Dodge took over for the third series of the Diplomat The front of the Chrysler Le Baron, while the front end of the second series of the Diplomat was reused in the Plymouth Gran Fury of the new edition.

Station wagon

Between 1978 and 1981, also a five-door station wagon was offered, which used the wheelbase of the sedan.

Coupe

Initially, there was a two-door coupe alternative. In the first embodiment, the coupe differed significantly from the two-door version of the F- platform. Unlike the Aspen and Volare coupes, it was designed as a notchback coupe. While the Aspen and Volare coupes had a shortened wheelbase compared to the sedan, the M Coupe retained the wheelbase of the sedan. The rear fenders were designed curved striking.

For the model year 1980, the coupe was significantly revised. It now based on the shorter wheelbase of the F -platform coupes and received angular lines. From this version, the second series of the Chrysler Cordoba was derived. Production of the coupe was discontinued after model year 1981.

Model versions for North America

Between 1977 and 1989 offered Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth own versions based on the M platform. The market positioning was very different over the years. The history of each model is an example for those in the 1970s and 1980s in Detroit usual practice of exchanging model names at will and change positions known vehicles for marketing reasons.

Chrysler

At Chrysler M platform 1977-1989 appeared under four different names.

• → Main article: Chrysler LeBaron (M- Body)

• After the end of 1981, the Newport and York models were adjusted major New, took over Chrysler's version of the M- 1982, the platform name New York. Since this year the car was available only as a sedan. It was now the largest passenger car Chrysler Corporation.

• For model year 1983, the traditional name was passed on to the one the K -Car Version which had front-wheel drive and was considerably smaller dimensions. Chrysler's version of the M- platform remained nevertheless continue in the program; she received this year, the name New Yorker Fifth Avenue. Thus the name of New York was used for two completely different cars in model year 1983.

• For model year 1984 Chrysler sparked the confusion on the double use of terms. The name of New York was used only by the front-wheel drive K -Car offshoot, while the large, rear-wheel drive sedan was sold as a future Chrysler Fifth Avenue. This model name kept the car in to the end of production in 1989. Also, in recent years there have been a number of changes, the most, however, were stylistic.

Dodge

The Dodge version of the M platform was offered from 1977 to 1989 under the name Dodge Diplomat. By 1981, it gave them as a sedan, a coupe (in two versions) and as five-door estate, from 1982 he was available only as a sedan. The diplomat had successively three different front sections (1977-1980, 1980-1982, 1983-1989 ).

Plymouth

Initially offered Plymouth on the American market, no vehicle on the M - platform. It was not until 1981, the large, based on the R platform Gran Fury has been set, the company recognized the need for an inexpensive model under the brand name of Plymouth. The 1982 Plymouth introduced version took the name Gran Fury. She introduced specifically for the Chrysler - Plymouth dealer, the Dodge Diplomat could not offer because of the separation of the dealer network, an inexpensive supplement to the expensive Fifth Avenue dar.

As to Canada, since 1979, a Plymouth version of the M platform was available. Her name was initially Plymouth Caravelle, Caravelle later Saloon (as opposed to a designated also as Caravelle version of the K- Car).

Uptake and production

Positioning and success in the North American market

The launch of the M- platform was 1977; derived from her car remained in production until 1989.

The M platform was a successful concept of the Chrysler Corporation. The design was produced for 13 years without any major changes. She survived the F- platform, their technical model to nine years. She appeared in a time that was difficult for Chrysler, and has provided the Company until the 1980s, continuous sales at an acceptable level. That was more valuable than the market accepted the cars, to demand without major and costly facelift.

In the 13 years of its production, the M platform made ​​with a significant image change. While the car was initially marketed as an innovative, young vehicle that was easy to handle while driving was preparing fun, has been increasingly emphasized in the 1980s that the vehicles were the traditional interpretation of engineering and proven features like durability, reliability and comfort classic large sedans led away. Chrysler attempted to account for the fact with this move towards a more conservative market segment that the car had hardly been revised since its introduction and has been increasingly recognized in the 1980s, in which the competitors were offering modern front wheel drive vehicles in larger classes as obsolete.

Throughout the entire production period, the Chrysler models were the most successful versions of the M platform. Regularly Chrysler could more than twice as many vehicles as Dodge settle; the Plymouth versions were again regularly significantly more negative than the Dodge models. The most successful year of the M platform was 1978; Here Chrysler has sold more than 125,000 vehicles of the LeBaron. 1979, 1985 and 1986 were sold more than 100,000 Chrysler Fifth Avenue, and even in 1988, in the penultimate year of production, more than 40,000 cars found their buyers. In particular, the Plymouth versions, but later also the Dodge Diplomats, were typical fleet vehicles purchased by public authorities, taxi drivers and car owners.

Production

The vehicles of the M -body Chryslers were initially produced in our own factories. In 1981 the production was in contrast in order for the competing company AMC. Its factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the M- Bodies were cheaper to produce than Chrysler's own works.

Derivatives of the M platform

Some other Chrysler models are directly derived from the M platform. This includes the so-called J platform. On it is based the Chrysler Cordoba the second generation of the Dodge Mirada and the Imperial, a product sold only in small numbers luxury coupe of the early 1980s.