This “Not A Dodge” was produced from 1983-1987. It’s name stood for Tourism in Italian. Based on a very VW Rabbit looking sedan it was an early front wheel drive US sports coupe. Unlike other USA companies this car maker introduced a full range of smaller front wheel drive cars sharing common engines and platforms. By doing this they were able to cut costs. This cars platform and engines were used well into the 1990,s  The base engine was 1.6 liter OHC four cylinder built together with French car maker Peugeot. A decent engine it only put out tepid 64 horsepower.

Car and Driver magazine joked about the 1.6 liter engine “Would lose a drag race with a Model T” Most people went for the all new 2.2 liter OHC four cylinder upgrade. Rated at 96 horsepower it would become a mainstay and workhorse. In other models the 2.2 with turbo could reach 200 horsepower. Shifting this Econo Sports Coupe was either a rubbery shifting 5 speed manual or sluggish 3 speed auto. Despite its sedan roots with the performance package and 2.2 liter these coupes provided good handling and peppy acceleration times. Even economy was good with the 2.2 liter and a 5 speed give a good 32 MPG on the highway. This model would be dropped in 1987 never to return.  To see What Auto Is This?? … CLICK HERE