Dodge StealthDodge's Japanese-built Stealth covers a lot of ground-from a mild-mannered sport coupe clear on up to the deadly-serious R/T Turbo, which runs with the world's great sports cars. Base versions are powered by an SOHC V-6, while the midlevel R/T gets a twin-cam six. Both can be optioned with a four-speed automatic transmission; no autoshifter is available on the R/T Turbo. With its 320-horsepower V-6 driving all four wheels, the Turbo lunges to 60 mph in a brief 5.3 seconds, yet has forgiving handling that belies its awesome performance. This year it can be ordered with 18-inch chrome wheels carrying low-profile Pirelli P-Zero tires.
Body type: CoupeDrivetrain: Front engine, front drive/AWDAirbag: Driver/passengerBase curb weight, lb: 3053Base engine: 3.0-liter V-6, SOHC, 164 hpOpt. engines: 3.0-liter V-6, DOHC, 222 hp;3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, DOHC, 320 hpBrakes, f/r: Discs/discs, ABS opt.Price range: $23,000-$44,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 19/24
Dodge StratusAs the Dodge member of Chrysler's midsize dynamic duo, the Stratus is targeted at value-minded drivers. It shares the Cirrus' cavernous interior dimensions, complete with class-leading rear seat room and a chassis that rides on double-wishbone suspension. For starters, there's an SOHC 2.0-liter/132-horse inline-four, or you can move up to a DOHC 2.4-liter four that peaks at 150 horsepower. Go with the 2.5-liter V-6 optional in the Stratus ES and you'll revel in 168 horses fed through the four-speed automatic transmission's revised torque converter. ABS and cast-aluminum wheels are standard on the ES. An optional sunroof will arrive midyear.
Body type: SedanDrivetrain: Front engine, front driveAirbag: Driver/passengerBase curb weight, lb: 2899Base engine: 2.0-liter I-4, SOHC, 132 hpOpt. engines: 2.4-liter I-4, DOHC, 150 hp; 2.5-liter V-6, SOHC, 168 hpBrakes, f/r: Discs/drums, ABS opt.Price range: $15,000-$25,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 25/34
Dodge Viper RT/10, GTSLoaded with 10 cylinders of instantaneous, irresistible torque, the Viper gorges itself on supposedly invincible "supercars." With the power to sprint to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and 0.97 lateral g of cornering grip, the Viper all but rewrites the laws of physics. For the new year, peak power has increased slightly to 415 horses, and the driveline has been beefed up in key areas. A removable hard top can be had as a dealer option. An added bonus: The exhausts now exit straight out the back of the car, so your date will no longer need to wear a Nomex jumpsuit to wriggle in over the smoking-hot side pipes. Expect the arrival of the stunning 450-horsepower GTS coupe midyear.
Body type: Roadster, coupeDrivetrain: Front engine, rear driveAirbag: Not availableBase curb weight, lb: 3445Base engine: 8.0-liter V-10, OHV, 415 hpOpt. engine: 8.1-liter V-10, OHV, 450 hpBrakes, f/r: Discs/discs, ABS not avail.Price range: $58,000-$70,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 12/21
Eagle SummitA virtual clone of the Mitsubishi Mirage, the Japanese-built Eagle Summit comes as a coupe (like the Mitsubishi) or as a sedan. It competes against a flock of subcompacts, including the Ford Aspire, Geo Metro, and Hyundai Accent. The arrival of dual airbags last year brought the Summit up to date; new colors and OBD-II (onboard diagnostics) are the only '96 alterations. Two engines motivate the Summit: At the bottom end, there's a 1.5-liter/92-horsepower four, or you can ante up for the 1.8-liter/113-horse four. A three-speed autoshifter is optional on the small engine, a four-speed on the big engine. Power steering is optional on the coupe, standard on the sedan.
Body type: Coupe, sedanDrivetrain: Front engine, front driveAirbag: Driver/passengerBase curb weight, lb: 2085Base engine: 1.5-liter I-4, SOHC, 92 hpOpt. engine: 1.8-liter I-4, SOHC, 113 hpBrakes, f/r: Discs/drums, ABS opt.Price range: $11,000-$17,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 33/39
Eagle Summit WagonNot quite a car, and not quite a minivan, the Eagle people are hoping you'll proclaim the Summit Wagon "just right." Built for Chrysler by Mitsubishi in Japan, the key to the Summit Wagon's appeal is a versatile interior that swallows as many as five people or up to 79 cubic feet of cargo. The folding, tumbling, and removable rear seat boosts utility, and a van-style sliding side door speeds access. Large and small SOHC inline-fours are your powerplant choices, coupled with a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. Go with the big 2.4-liter powerplant and you can select adventure-hungry all-wheel drive. Dual airbags are standard, ABS is optional.
Body type: WagonDrivetrain: Front engine, front drive/AWDAirbag: Driver/passengerBase curb weight, lb: 2734Base engine: 1.8-liter I-4, SOHC, 119 hpOpt. engine: 2.4-liter I-4, SOHC, 136 hpBrakes, f/r: Discs/drums, ABS opt.Price range: $15,000-$21,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 24/29
Eagle TalonA longtime sports-coupe performance value, the Eagle Talon returns for '96 with minimal changes. It's gained dynamic side-impact protection, a "panic button" on its remote keyless-entry unit, and a new optional premium audio system. Otherwise, the Talon carries on with two trim levels, two 2.0-liter engines, and two driveline layouts. The front-drive base-model ESi is powered by a 140-horsepower inline-four, or you can step up to the TSi and its 210-horsepower (205 with an automatic) turbo DOHC four. It's a formidable sports car made more so by the predictable traction of all-wheel drive. Hang on-0-60 mph only takes about 6.5 seconds.
Body type: CoupeDrivetrain: Front engine, front drive/AWDAirbag: Driver/passengerBase curb weight, lb: 2789Base engine: 2.0-liter I-4, DOHC, 140 hpOpt. engine: 2.0-liter turbo I-4, DOHC, 205/210 hp (auto/manual)Brakes, f/r: Discs/discs, ABS opt.Price range: $15,000-$26,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 22/32
Eagle VisionFamily roominess and sporting fun meet in the Vision sedan. A member of Chrysler's family of LH sedans, the Vision shares in their cab-forward proportions and uncommon interior comfort. With its sporting feel, the Vision is specially targeted at buyers drawn to import offerings-those possessed of more enthusiasm for driving than the typical American-sedan buyer. In keeping with this spirit, the uplevel TSi model now comes standard with the Autostick system. You can let the four-speed automatic do the dirty work, or shift it much like a manual gearbox. A quieter interior and new audio upgrades are the other changes for '96.
Body type: SedanDrivetrain: Front engine, front driveAirbag: Driver/passengerBase curb weight, lb: 3371Base engine: 3.3-liter V-6, OHV, 161 hpOpt. engine: 3.5-liter V-6, SOHC, 214 hpBrakes, f/r: Discs/discs, ABS opt.Price range: $21,000-$27,000Fuel economy, city/hwy, mpg: 20/28