How much horsepower does a 1985 Dodge Daytona turbo have?
The 1985 Dodge Daytona Turbo produced about 142 horsepower.
In this article, we examine the official rating for the 1985 Daytona Turbo, how that figure was determined, and how it fits into the car’s broader lineup and era. We’ll also touch on how later Turbo II variants compared and why horsepower ratings from the period can vary by source.
Overview of the horsepower figure
Turbo I configuration (1984–1985)
For the 1985 Daytona Turbo, Chrysler used the 2.2-liter inline-4 Turbo I engine in a single-turbo, non-intercooled setup. The official power output for this configuration was 142 horsepower.
Key technical details of the Turbo I engine in the 1985 Daytona include the following:
- Engine: 2.2-liter inline-4 Turbo I
- Power: 142 hp
- Torque: around 165 lb-ft
- Turbocharger: single turbo, non-intercooled
These figures reflect the ratings Chrysler published at the time, and actual performance can vary with testing conditions, elevation, and wear. Nevertheless, the 142 hp figure remains the commonly cited rating for the 1985 Turbo I Daytona.
In summary for the 1985 model year, the official horsepower rating of the Daytona Turbo I was 142 hp.
Turbo II and later developments
Starting in 1986, the Daytona lineup included the Turbo II version, which used an intercooler and generally offered higher performance than the original Turbo I. Exact horsepower numbers varied by year and market, but the intercooler-enabled variant typically produced more power than the 142 hp Turbo I. For precise figures, year-by-year literature or road tests should be consulted.
Context: horsepower measurement in the 1980s
Horsepower ratings in the mid-1980s often differed depending on whether SAE gross or SAE net standards were used, and some markets applied different rating conventions. The 142 hp figure for the 1985 Daytona Turbo is commonly cited for the U.S. market under the era’s standard practices, but sources may vary slightly depending on the test conditions and documentation.
Summary
The 1985 Dodge Daytona Turbo is widely cited as having 142 horsepower from its 2.2-liter Turbo I engine, with torque around 165 lb-ft. This figure reflects the era’s rating methods and the Turbo I configuration. Later Daytona Turbo variants introduced intercooling and higher output, illustrating the evolution of turbo technology in the model line.
