{{Confuse|Mercedes-Benz E-Class}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 1984 Chrysler E-Class - Flickr - dave 7 (1) (cropped).jpg | name = Chrysler E-Class | manufacturer = [[Chrysler Corporation]] | production = 1982–1984 | model_years = 1983–1984 | assembly = United States: [[Jefferson North Assembly#Jefferson Avenue Assembly|Jefferson Avenue Assembly]], [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]] | class = [[Mid-size]] | layout = [[FF layout]] | platform = [[Chrysler E platform|E-body]] | body_style = 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]] | engine = {{ubl | 2.2 L ''[[Chrysler 2.2 & 2.5 engine#2.2|K]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]] | 2.2 L ''[[Chrysler 2.2 & 2.5 engine#Turbo I|Turbo I]]'' I4 | 2.6 L [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] ''[[Mitsubishi Astron engine|G54B]]'' I4 }} | transmission = 3-speed ''[[Chrysler A-404 transmission#A-413|A413]]'' [[automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>3-speed ''[[Chrysler A-404 transmission#A470|A470]]'' [[automatic transmission|automatic]] | predecessor = [[Chrysler Newport]] | successor = [[Plymouth Caravelle]] | related = [[Chrysler New Yorker]]<br>[[Dodge 600]]<br>[[Plymouth Caravelle]] }}
The '''Chrysler E Class''' is a [[mid-size car]] that was produced by [[Chrysler]] from 1983 to 1984. Taking its name from its Chrysler platform designation, the E Class commenced an era of downsized Chrysler vehicles, serving as a companion model for the first front-wheel drive [[Chrysler New Yorker#1983–1988|Chrysler New Yorker]].
Alongside the twelfth-generation New Yorker, the E Class shared the [[Chrysler E platform]] with the [[Dodge 600]] and the [[Plymouth Caravelle]] (initially sold by Chrysler Canada).
For its entire production, Chrysler assembled the E Class in its [[Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson#Jefferson Avenue Assembly|Jefferson Avenue Assembly facility]] ([[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]]).
== Model overview == [[File:Chrysler E Class, 1984.png|left|thumb|1984 Chrysler E Class ]] [[File:Chrysler E-Class.jpg|left|thumb|1983 Chrysler E Class ]] In launching the E Class, Chrysler introduced its first front-wheel drive cars larger than its K-Cars, as its R and M-platform cars were far larger than the mid-size segment. Along with the New Yorker adopting the new chassis, the E Class inherited the role of the long-running Chrysler Newport; sharing its body with the New Yorker, the model line was slotted between the K-car LeBaron and the M-body Fifth Avenue in size.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=E Class {{!}} 1983 Chrysler E Class (Chrysler brochure) |url=https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1983-Chrysler-E-Class.pdf |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2026-04-01 |website=Dezo's Garage (xr793.com)}}</ref>
While Ford would not produce a mid-size sedan with front-wheel drive until the 1986 Taurus/Sable, Chrysler targeted the E Class against the [[Buick Century#Fifth generation (1982–1996)|Buick Century]] and [[Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Chrysler E Class - New Yorker, Plymouth Caravelle, and Dodge 600 - original stretch K cars |url=https://www.allpar.com/model/e.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919222614/https://www.allpar.com/model/e.html |archive-date=2020-09-19 |access-date=2026-04-01 |website=www.allpar.com |language=en}}</ref> (among the best-selling model lines for each brand). Originally intended to be named the "Chrysler Grand LeBaron"<ref>Encyclopedia of American Cars "Chrysler" p.255: "Chrysler Vehicles."</ref>, the E Class name (styled without the hyphen, in contrast to Mercedes-Benz<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chrysler-Plymouth for 1983 (Chrysler full-line brochure) |url=https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1983-Chrysler-Plymouth.pdf |access-date=April 1, 2026 |website=Dezo's Garage (xr793.com)}}</ref>) was selected instead, in deference to its E platform.
=== Chassis === The Chrysler E Class utilizes the [[Chrysler E platform]] (E=extended), which increases the K platform wheelbase 2.8 inches (from 100.3 to 103.1 inches).<ref name=":0" /> Carrying over the majority of its chassis design from the K platform, the E Class is fitted with a MacPherson front strut suspension and rear trailing arms with a coil-sprung rear beam axle.<ref name=":0" /> Along with cast-alloy wheels, an upgraded sport suspension was available as a stand-alone option.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=1984 Chrysler E Class (Chrysler Brochure) |url=https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1984-Chrysler-E-Class.pdf |access-date=April 1, 2026 |website=Dezo's Garage (xr793.com)}}</ref>
The standard engine was a 2.2 L I4 (producing 94 hp) and a Mitsubishi-sourced 2.6 L I4 (producing 92 hp, with increased torque); a 3-speed automatic transmission was paired to both engines.<ref name=":0" /> For 1984, the engine lineup was revised, with the 2.2 L engine replacing its carburetor with electronic fuel injection (increasing output to 99 hp); the 2.6 L I4 was retuned (producing 100 hp).<ref name=":2" /> As a new option, a turbocharged version of the 2.2L engine was released (producing 140 hp).<ref name=":2" />
=== Body === Alongside its extended wheelbase, the E Class grew approximately 6 inches in length over the LeBaron (though far shorter than the Fifth Avenue). Sharing its roofline with the Dodge 600 and Plymouth Caravelle, the E Class was offered solely as a four-door sedan. To distinguish itself from its Dodge/Plymouth counterparts, the E-Class shared its front and rear fascias with the Chrysler LeBaron; the New Yorker was fitted with a padded vinyl roof (covering its C-pillar windows). For 1984, the exterior underwent a minor update, with the flat taillamps replaced by a wraparound design (shared with the LeBaron).
The interior of the E Class shared design commonality with the New Yorker (though with different trim). A six-passenger interior was standard with a full-width front bench seat, and a five-passenger configuration came with a 50/50 split bench seat (which added a center console between the seats, including a power driver seat)<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> For 1984, several changes to the interior, distinguished by a redesigned Chrysler 2-spoke steering wheel and the standardization of electronically-tuned radios.<ref name=":2" />
=== Trim === For its production, the E Class was sold in a single trim, with options either packaged together or offered individually, allowing the model line to be equipped both quite spartanly or essentially equivalent to a New Yorker.<ref name=":1" />
== Discontinuation == [[File:1984 Chrysler E-Class - Flickr - dave 7.jpg|thumb|1984 Chrysler E Class rear view]]Following slow sales of the model line (outsold nearly two-to-one by the New Yorker for 1984<ref>Encyclopedia of American Cars "Chrysler" p.279: "Chrysler Production Figures."</ref>), Chrysler dropped the E Class from its model line for 1985. The same car made its return to Chrysler-Plymouth dealer networks, as Chrysler repackaged it as the Plymouth Caravelle (previously sold only in Canada). The 1985 Caravelle inherited its design from its Canadian namesake, adopting the front fascia of the Dodge 600 (with an eggcrate grille); a 1986 update adopted the front bodywork of the Chrysler LeBaron (with its own grille).
The E platform New Yorker remained in production into the 1988 model year, fitted with a modified version of the front bodywork of the 1983-1984 E Class. After 1988, Chrysler replaced its E platform model lines with the [[Chrysler C platform|AC platform]] (alongside the Y platform, the largest sedan variants of the K-car chassis).
==Sales== {|class="wikitable" |+ Production<ref>Encyclopedia of American Cars "Chrysler" p.279: "Chrysler Production Figures."</ref> |- ! Model Year ! Units |- ! 1983 | 39,258 |- ! 1984 | 32,237 |- ! Total ! 71,495 |} {{clear}} ==References== {{commons}} {{reflist}}
* {{cite journal|title=1984 Chrysler E-Class|journal=Chrysler Factory Brochure|author=Chrysler Corporation|issue=1984}}
{{Chrysler}} {{Chrysler timeline}}
[[Category:Chrysler vehicles|E-Class]] [[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Mid-size cars]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[Category:1980s cars]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1983]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1984]]