View source for Dodge 400

{{Infobox automobile
| image        = 1983 Dodge 400 Convertible, front left (Hershey 2019).jpg
| name         = Dodge 400
| manufacturer = [[Chrysler Corporation]]
| production   = 1981&ndash;1983
| assembly     = [[Saint Louis Assembly]], [[Fenton, Missouri]]
| class        = [[Mid-size]]
| layout       = [[FF layout]]
| platform     = [[Chrysler K platform|K-body]]
| body_style   = 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]]<br>2-door [[coupe]]<br>2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]]
| engine       = 2.2 L ''[[Chrysler K engine#2.2|K]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]]<br>2.6 L [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] ''[[Mitsubishi Astron engine#G54B|G54B]]'' I4
| transmission = {{ubl | 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] | 3-speed ''[[Chrysler A-404 transmission#A-413|A413]]'' [[automatic transmission|automatic]] | 3-speed ''[[Chrysler A-404 transmission#A470|A470]]'' automatic }}
| successor    = [[Dodge 600]]
| related      = [[Chrysler LeBaron]]<br>[[Chrysler Town & Country (pre-1990)|Chrysler Town & Country]]<br>[[Dodge Aries]]<br>[[Plymouth Reliant]]
| model_years  = 1982–1983
| wheelbase    = {{convert|100.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length       = {{convert|179.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width        = {{convert|68|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height       = {{convert|52.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
}}

The '''Dodge 400''' was a [[mid-size car]] built by [[Dodge]].  It was similar to the [[Chrysler LeBaron]] of the same era.  The 400 was introduced for the 1982 model year but renamed and merged into the [[Dodge 600]] lineup just two years later. An improved version of Chrysler's [[Chrysler K platform|K-cars]], it was called the Super K platform.<ref name=GLevy>{{cite magazine | magazine = [[Autoweek]] | last = Levy | first = George D. | ref = AW3142 | page = 10 | date = 1981-10-19 | title = The 'Super' Ks | issn = 0192-9674 | volume = 31 | number = 42 | publisher = Keith E. Crain }}</ref>

==Design==
While heavily dependent on the K-car, the suspension geometry was revised with [[computer-aided design]] (CAD), one of Chrysler's first forays into this area.<ref name=GLevy/> Aside from the suspension modifications, the interior was plusher and the front and rear designs were different. To provide higher comfort than in the regular K-cars, particular care was paid to sound proofing, with a redesigned firewall and additional isolating material throughout.<ref name=GLevy/>

Aside from the stacked-slat grille being different from that of the LeBaron, the 400 was somewhat less ornate overall. Faux louvres on the front fenders were unique to the 400.<ref name=GLevy2>[[#AW3142|Levy]], p. 17</ref>

==Model years==
===1982===
[[File:'82 Dodge 400 Coupe (Orange Julep).JPG|alt=|left|thumb|1982 Dodge 400 Coupe]]

The 400 was intended to be a more upmarket version of the [[Dodge Aries|Aries]] and a corporate twin of the downsized LeBaron. It was originally only available as a two-door [[coupé]].<ref name=GLevy/> In the spring of 1982 two additional bodystyles appeared: a convertible and a four-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]]. The 400's suspension, while soft, was somewhat firmer than that of its LeBaron sister.

This was Dodge's first convertible since the 1971 [[Dodge Challenger|Challenger]] and one of the first domestically-manufactured convertibles since 1976, when Cadillac had phased out the Eldorado convertible.

The 400 was available in two trim levels: base and LS.<ref name=GLevy/> Engine choices were limited to a 2.2&nbsp;L [[inline-four engine]] or an optional [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]]-sourced [[Mitsubishi Astron engine#4G54|2.6&nbsp;L "Silent Shaft" four-cylinder]]; this was only available coupled to an automatic. The convertible came with the Mitsubishi-sourced engine as standard. Outputs were {{convert|84|and|92|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} respectively.<ref name=GLevy/>

===1983===
There were no major changes made for 1983 other than the LS trim being omitted from the lineup. During 1983, the 400 sedan was replaced by the longer wheelbase [[Dodge 600]]. The coupes and convertibles remained on the shorter wheelbase but were rebadged as [[Dodge 600]] from 1984.
{{clear}}

==Production==
Production figures:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Dodge 400 Production Figures<ref>{{Cite book |last=Flammang |first=James M. |title=Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1999 |date=1999 |publisher=Krause Publications |others=Ron Kowalke |isbn=0-87341-755-0 |edition=3rd |location=Iola, WI |oclc=43301709}}</ref>
!
!Coupe
!Sedan
!Convertible
!Yearly Total
|-
|'''1982'''
|19,443
|6,465
|5,541
|'''31,449'''
|-
|'''1983'''
|11,504
|9,560
|4,888
|'''25,952'''
|-
!Total
!30,947
!16,025
!10,429
!<u>57,401</u>
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|Dodge 400}}

{{Dodge}}
{{Dodge timeline 1980 to date}}
{{Dodge Timeline}}
{{Dodge Canada Timeline}}

[[Category:Dodge vehicles|400]]
[[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Mid-size cars]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1982]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1983]]
[[Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States]]