Dodge Omni

During the mid-1970s, Chrysler held no presence of its own in the subcompact automobile segment. Following the unsuccessful introduction of the Plymouth Cricket (captive imports of the Hillman Avenger), the company shifted to the Dodge/Plymouth Colt (captive imports of the Mitsubishi Galant).

At the time, the front-wheel drive layout was largely reserved for low-volume luxury cars (including the Cadillac Eldorado and Oldsmobile Toronado). By 1976, Honda (with the Civic and the Accord) and Volkswagen (with the Rabbit) became the first manufacturers to produce competitive front-wheel drive economy cars in the American market. To further develop the C2 project for the American market, Chrysler Corporation purchased nearly 100 Volkswagen Rabbits in the United States for the purposes of reverse engineering.[4]

At the end of 1977, the C2 project entered production in both Europe and North America, with Chrysler Europe sharing the Horizon nameplate (as the Chrysler-Simca Horizon) with the American Plymouth division. While Chrysler had trailed the AMC Gremlin, Ford Pinto, and Chevrolet Vega to market by eight years, the $2,500 ($10386 in 2019 dollars) Omni/Horizon provided the company an extensive headstart on its American competitors (which were released in 1981 and 1982, respectively) with the adoption of front-wheel drive, transverse-mount powertrains.

Following the 1978 sale of Chrysler Europe, Chrysler Corporation retained the design rights to its version of the C2 project, continuing production in Illinois.

1990 Plymouth Horizon

The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon use the front-wheel drive Chrysler L platform on a 99.2-inch wheelbase (shared with its European namesake). Initially designed by Chrysler Europe, Chrysler Corporation made substantial changes to the suspension design for the American market. In contrast to the Chrysler Horizon, which has a front torsion bar suspension, the model line uses front MacPherson struts.[4][5] While the rear suspension shares a semi-independent layout (coil springs, rear trailing arms), the Omni/Horizon was developed with its own suspension tuning.[5]

The model line is equipped with power-assisted front disc brakes and rear drum brakes and a rack and pinion steering system.

While sharing a transverse engine layout, the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon diverge furthest from the Chrysler Horizon in its engine offerings. For the North American market, Chrysler adopted a 75 hp (56 kW; 76 PS) 1.7 L I4, sourced from Volkswagen in the United States (with a Chrysler-designed engine head).[8][9] At the time, Chrysler did not have capability to supply 4-cylinder engines in the United States (of any type), and the Simca-designed 1.1 to 1.4 L engines were deemed insufficient in terms of output.[8] The 1.7 L engine was paired with a 4-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic.

For 1981, the Omni/Horizon received the 84 hp (63 kW; 85 PS) 2.2 L I4 from the Chrysler K-cars as an option. For 1983, Chrysler introduced a Peugeot-supplied 62 hp (46 kW; 63 PS) 1.6 L I4 as a new base engine (requiring only an alternator to be added by Chrysler[9]); the engine was paired with a manual transmission and the deletion of air conditioning. For 1987, the 1.6 L engine was dropped, with the 2.2 L I4 becoming the standard engine offering; the 2.2 L engine received fuel injection for 1988.[4] The 2.2 L engine was paired to a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic.

1981 Dodge Omni

1986-1989 Dodge Omni

While sharing a visually similar appearance with its Chrysler Europe counterpart, the Omni/Horizon shares almost no body commonality. Along with the American requirement of sealed-beam headlamps, 5-mph bumpers, the body stampings are not shared between the two model line; for example, the joint between the roof and A-pillar on the American model line is welded together (on the European version, it is a single stamping).[5] On the Omni/Horizon, the rear door windows do not roll down completely; the corresponding version of the Chrysler Horizon does (through a higher-cost, more complex design).[5]

With the exception of grilles, taillamps, and model badging, the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon were largely indistinguishable from one another. For 1984, the model line underwent a minor revision.[13] Distinguished by revised exterior badging, the revision phased out a large degree of chrome exterior trim in favor of black-painted trim. The interior received a redesigned dashboard (a Rallye dashboard with full instrumentation was introduced as an option[4]) and new seats; a 5-speed manual transmission became standard.[4] For 1987, to streamline production, all vehicles received an instrument panel with tachometer, oil pressure, and voltmeter gauges.[4]

For 1990, the Omni and Horizon underwent several minor revisions. To comply with federal passive-restraint regulations, a driver-side airbag was added (along with rear-seat outboard shoulder belts). The dashboard saw further revision, as the climate controls were relocated to the center of the dashboard, taking the place of the radio (which took the place of the ashtray).[4] The round sideview mirrors used since 1978 were replaced by enlarged units (inherited from the Diplomat/Gran Fury sedans)

In contrast to many Chrysler model lines, the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon were largely sold across a single trim level. For 1981 and 1982, Chrysler introduced a "Miser" version; this lightly-equipped version was developed to increase fuel economy, including an overdrive manual transmission.[10]

For 1984, the SE (Sport Edition) option was introduced, which consisted of two-tone exterior paint.[4] From 1984 to 1986, the Carroll Shelby Omni GLH, GLH-T, and GLHS (see below) were high-performance turbocharged versions of the Omni hatchback.

For 1987, the America edition of the Omni was introduced to combat recent low-priced imports such as the Yugo and the Hyundai Excel.[14] The price was dropped from $6,209 to $5,499, with "$684 of added equipment at no cost" according to Chrysler. The break-even point of the Omni America was 170,000 cars To offer the vehicle as the lowest-price American-assembled subcompact, Chrysler reduced the number of options to two (air conditioning and a radio, three options if the California emissions package is included), while cutting the profit margin. Suppliers, United Auto Workers, Chrysler dealers, and even the State of Illinois also made concessions to help lower the price of the car.[14]

1984-1987 Dodge Charger

For 1979, Chrysler introduced a hatchback coupe version of the Omni/Horizon, named the Dodge Omni 024 and Plymouth Horizon TC3. Using an L-body chassis (shortened to a 96.6-inch wheelbase), the 024/TC3 coupes shared no external bodywork with the five-door hatchbacks. Sharing the same powertrain as the Omni and Horizon, the coupes were largely designed for appearance over performance. After the 1982 model year, the 024/TC3 were discontinued.

For 1982, the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Turismo were introduced as gradual replacements for the 024/TC3. While again receiving the same powertrain offerings as the five-door hatchbacks, the 2.2 L high-output engine was added to create the Dodge Shelby Charger/Plymouth Turismo Duster. For 1984, the coupes received updated exterior styling (distinguished by a quad-headlamp front fascia). For 1985 and 1986, the Shelby Charger adopted the 146 hp (109 kW) engine of the Omni GLH-T.

Following the 1987 model year, the Dodge Charger/Plymouth Turismo were replaced by the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance; Dodge would not again remarket a Charger until the 2005 model year. The final 1000 Dodge Shelby Chargers were built as Shelby Charger GLHS vehicles with a 175 hp (130 kW) 2.2 L Turbo II engine, upgraded transmission, brakes, and suspension, and the deletion of all Dodge badging.

1983 Dodge Rampage

For 1982, Chrysler introduced a coupe utility pickup derived from the L-body chassis, named the Dodge Rampage. The first front-wheel drive American pickup truck, the Rampage extended the Dodge Omni chassis to a 104.2-inch wheelbase.[17] To compete with the payload of the larger El Camino, Chrysler redesigned the rear frame and suspension of the L-body for the Rampage, with the vehicle receiving a leaf-sprung rear axle.[17]

For 1983 the Plymouth Scamp was introduced alongside the Dodge Rampage, distinguished primarily by badging and trim; the Scamp was offered only for 1983. For 1984, the Rampage received the quad-headlight front fascia of the Dodge Charger and block-letter badging.

1985 Dodge Omni GLH-T

1986 Shelby GLHS

The highest-performance Dodge Omni was the 1984-1986 Omni GLH, modified by Carroll Shelby. Following the rejection of "Coyote" by Chrysler, the initials GLH ("Goes Like Hell", the choice of Carroll Shelby) were used instead.[18][19]

For 1984, the Omni GLH adopted many of the modifications of the 1983 Shelby Charger, including its 110 hp (82 kW; 112 PS) 2.2 L "high-output" I4, stiffer suspension, larger brakes and wider tires.[20] For 1985 and 1986, Shelby offered the GLH with an optional 146 hp (109 kW; 148 PS) 2.2 L Turbo I I4 (GLH-T); 1986 vehicles are largely distinguished by their center brake light.[20]

Shelby Automobiles purchased the final 500 1986 GLH-T (all in black) to construct the Shelby GLHS ("Goes Like Hell S'more").[19][20] Modified by the company in California, the GLHS vehicles were legally sold as Shelbys. The Turbo I engine underwent extensive modification, adopting multiple components of what would become the Turbo II engine introduced for 1987. Along with an intercooler, the engine received a larger turbocharger and throttle body, tuned intake and exhaust manifolds, a new wiring harness, and a new radiator and engine fan (among other engine modifications). The suspension was upgraded further, receiving stiffer springs, and adjustable Koni struts and shocks, along with larger tires mounted on Shelby-designed wheels. In contrast to the red pinstripes of the GLH/GLH-T, the GLHS used silver pinstripes and badging; a "Shelby" decal was added to the windshield and a large GLHS decal was added to the driver-side C-pillar (the passenger-side C-pillar was occupied by the gas cap door).