It is time for the Dodge Stealth to return
The Dodge Stealth was produced from 1991-1996 under the old Chrysler Corporation. Many overlooked the base model for either the R/T or the R/T twin turbo. The R/T twin turbo was the Stealth to get. When it debuted, it had AWD, 300 hp and real state of the art technology for the time. However, Dodge has had AWD performance cars since the Stealth was killed off. The 2014 Chrysler 300C paired with the 5.7 Hemi was the last AWD sedan/coupe that had meaningful power and performance numbers.
The return of the performance coupe would not only give Dodge another performance car to fits its brand image but also would create a new market. The new Stealth can still resemble the past. We would like to see an AWD coupe with turbos but what would this look like exactly?
The last V8 AWD sedan from FCA
The rumored HO 3.0 i-6 can be the base model engine though this engine will not arrive for a long time. Instead, a 5.7 Hemi with either a plug-in hybrid option or e-torque can be the base model engine. RWD will be standard with AWD as an option. We would like to see the L car platform reconfigured to support this. Next would be where it gets interesting. A new engine would have to be developed to replace the Hellcat motor that will have a rude awakening in the near future when more and more electric cars get released. We would like to see a downsized hybrid Hemi that has a set of twin turbos. Perhaps an electric turbocharger can power the Stealth. After all, Garret will be producing e-turbos next year. FCA has also mentioned an e booster for their now shelved Alfa Romeo 8C. In essence, we would like to see a ~500 hp base engine and a ~800 hp premium engine. MSRP will be fairly high starting at roughly $75k thanks to the electric powertrain. The HO engine will likely start at around $100k. This particular product does not need groundbreaking features either. Keeping the cost down means not including a ton of rather useless options. This part of the market is also fairly vacant. There are not many AWD vehicles even under $200k that have 500+ horsepower.
This article is pure speculation but Dodge could use another performance vehicle in our opinion. Our recent article showed that GM will bring the pain with their new Corvette and Ford certainly has something up their sleeve as well.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Donovan Webb is currently attending American International College.
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Well, I’m going to have to correct an error in this article. The article is either stating or implying that Chrysler Corporation produced the Dodge Stealth, but that is incorrect. The Dodge Stealth was engineered and built by Mitsubishi in Japan and then sold through Dodge dealers as the Stealth. Mitsubishi had its own version called the 3000GT.
The Stealth was a great looking car (styled by Chrysler designers), but it was too heavy and too expensive for the target market. The Stealth came in base, ES, R/T, and R/T Twin Turbo trims. The R/T Twin Turbo was the only one to come with the 300hp, Mitsubishi 3.0L twin turbo V-6, AWD, and All Wheel Steering (AWS). The other trims were FWD with a 224hp 3.0 V-6 and I think there might have been a lower powered engine in the base model, but I can’t remember for sure. But, you are right in that the R/T Twin Turbo was the trim level to get. Too bad the Stealth was a sales flop and never really took off against its targeted competition – Corvette, 300ZX, Supra, etc…
Would a new Stealth help Dodge today? I doubt it. The market for performance cars isn’t that big to begin with and it would compete with the Challenger. Stranger things can happen I guess, but I doubt Stellantis is looking in this direction. It already has too many weak brands that need investment to be picked up off the floor anyway. Money doesn’t grow on trees.