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2004 Model Guide - Every Brand, Every Car

2004 DODGE LINE-UP
DODGE CARS

2004 Dodge Model GuideOne outrageous roadster, the exotic Viper SRT-10 packing a huge V10 tuned to 500 hp, sets the pace for all cars badged by the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler, but there's so much more in the 2004 class.

Spunky Neon spins off a new turbo-charged performance sedan, sized in the compact class and rigged with street-legal mechanical gear to run in the fast lane. It's so strong that in Dodge's fleet the zero-to-60 time for SRT-4 is topped only by Viper. These performance-tuned Dodges use the tag of SRT, meaning "Street and Racing Technology," as developed by Chrysler Group's Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO).

The Intrepid flagship sedan, representing Dodge's NASCAR Winston Cup race car, packs a powerful 3.5-liter high-output V6 engine with spoiler on the tail and 16-inch chrome wheels on pavement under a value-priced badge of Intrepid SXT. Dodge's midsize Stratus sedan, flashing bold new up-front styling, appears in four different trims with suspension tuning varied for each and new optional features available like radio controls pegged on the steering wheel and a traction control system. Stratus - the slinky sports coupe - shows off some sensuous sheetmetal and offers a V6 charged with 200 hp plus a five-speed manual shifter.

And Neon the compact-class sedan continues with three trims as the price-leader SE, value-packaged SXT and a sporty R/T edition with a high-output Magnum four-pack tied to a five-speed manual transaxle.

Dodge Viper SRT-10
2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10

A new design for the Viper roadster emerged last year to beat all contenders, thanks to that V10 powertrain that pushes the power curve up to 500 hp plus more than 500 lb-ft of torque. All of the torque, directed to Viper's 19-inch rear wheels, enables the roadster to romp from zero to 60 mph in less than four seconds, with its top speed climbing to 190 mph.

A heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission is standard, along with aluminum components for the four-wheel independent suspension plus huge disc brakes tied to a four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS). The exterior form resembles the predecessor roadster yet Viper's long hood slinks lower and there are swept-back fenders on-board with deep-cut scallops on the flanks.

For 2004 editions, bold red brake calipers become standard issue along with a folding tonneau cover, and there's a new body color available in Viper White. A race-ready version also emerges as the Viper Competition Coupe. It has a coupe-shaped body in carbon fiber and Kevlar and a track-ready chassis derived from the SRT-10.

Filled with racing gear - a roll cage, window net, six-point restraints, fire-suppression system and racing slicks, the Competition Coupe is eligible to compete in the Viper Racing League, Grand Am Rolex Series and SCCA Speed World Challenge.

Dodge SRT-4
2004 Dodge SRT-4

Dodge's new SRT-4 performance sedan, sized in the compact class and fitted with street-legal mechanical gear to run fast and furious, has a turbo-charger and inter-cooler attached to a dual-cam 2.4-liter four-in-line tuned for high output with a large-hole throttle body and high-flow intake manifold. It's rated up to 230 hp and comes with a heavy-duty five-speed manual shifter and high-capacity clutch. Stopwatch times for a romp from zero to 60 in SRT-4 easily clip below six seconds.

Now tie the car's performance figures to some competitive price points and you end up with the swiftest production car in the American market priced below $20,000. Think of it as a factory-sanctioned and affordable route into the world of street racers customized off compact-class front-wheel-drive (FWD) sedans.

Aggressive styling at the prow reflects cues of street performance machines with a deep fascia etched with multiple air intake ports and cross-hair grille plus a horizontal port carved into the shapely hood. At the tail a tall basket-handle spoiler flies off the deck and works at speed to exert force on rear wheels and pin them to the pavement.

The cockpit has the look of a customized car. Front seats, patterned after a wrap-around design for buckets in the SRT-10 Viper, contain reinforcements in lateral and lumbar segments to support the torso when this car runs through a wiggly chute. Gauges with silver rims reflect easy-to-read silver faces, and similar satin metal trim on the door handles and the center stack with rotary knobs for climate control.

The theme continues in the foot well with all three pedals made of cast aluminum with dimple surfaces, while the short-throw stick extending off the console has a cue ball shift knob also in satin silver.

Read our Review: Dodge Neon SRT4

Dodge Neon
2004 Dodge Neon

Dodge's compact sedan shows up in 2004 trimmed as three different versions, a base SE, value-packaged SXT and sporty R/T.

Neon SE uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with manual or optional automatic transaxle, 14-inch wheel covers and an audio kit with cassette deck and four speakers. The SXT adds power to drive the mirrors and front windows, air conditioning, a CD player and six speakers, remote keyless entry and 15-inch aluminum wheels clad with touring tires.

Options for SXT include a sport appearance group with tail spoiler, special aluminum wheels, foglamps and a body-colored instrument panel, or stand-alone items like chrome wheels, a sunroof, six-disc CD changer and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. The Neon R/T sport trim adds a high-output 2.0-liter Magnum engine, five-speed manual shifter and twin exhaust piles, plus 16-inch aluminum wheels, a tail spoiler and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Latest paint chip choice for Neon is Midnight Blue.

Dodge Stratus Coupe
2004 Dodge Stratus Coupe

The graceful arched profile and exaggerated slant to the windshield for Dodge's midsize coupe shows styling concepts lifted from Intrepid, but the prow with body-colored grille in cross-hair pattern comes directly off the Viper.

Engines define the personality of Stratus the coupe. A 2.4-liter in-line-four plant for Stratus SXT makes 147 hp with a manual transmission, or 142 hp with an automatic. More muscle comes from Stratus R/T with the 3.0-liter V6 dispensing 200 hp and keyed to a five-speed manual or the automatic with AutoStick option.

New paint choices for 2004 include shades like Light Blue Pearl Coat, Indy Red and Ice Silver Pearl Coat.

Dodge Stratus Sedan
2004 Dodge Stratus Sedan

Stratus as a four-door sedan stretches long and wide over a taut package with fluid lines patterned after the coupe, but it shows revised front-end styling with the 2004 editions plus fresh appointments in the five-seat cabin.

A total of four trims continue with powertrain choices of a thrifty four-cylinder or spirited V6. Stratus SE, the base edition, has a four-cylinder engine tied to a four-speed automatic transaxle. The 2.4-liter plant with dual overhead cams musters 150 hp. Stratus SXT, also using the four-cylinder plant, rolls on 16-inch painted aluminum wheels with standard equipment aboard like power door locks and power windows, a premium audio package with CD deck and remote keyless entry.

Stratus ES, the luxury version, carries a 2.7-liter dual-cam V6 scored to 200 hp. The R/T edition denotes a tilt toward performance in a sport-tuned version with firmer suspension. It gets the Stratus ES V6 but comes with larger 17-inch aluminum wheels and tires plus a monochromatic grille.

Dodge Intrepid
2004 Dodge Intrepid

Three models mark the full-size Dodge sedan in 2004 - entry-issue SE, sport-tuned SXT and deluxe ES. Each draws from a different powerplant. Intrepid SE contains the base engine, a 2.7-liter V6 out of an aluminum block with multi-valve technology inside and twin cams on top, along with 200 hp.

Intrepid ES also uses the 2.7-liter V6 as standard equipment, but offers as an option a 3.5-liter single-cam V6 that generates 232 hp and operates on regular-grade fuel. SXT increases the power quotient by packing aboard a high-output 3.5-liter V6 rated this year at 250 hp, along with the Dodge AutoStick dual-mode automatic shifter.

Four-wheel disc brakes and frontal air bags go into all versions, with side-impact air bags and a traction control system (TCS) available.

[MORE INFORMATION FROM DODGE]