Dodge Omni
The Dodge Omni is the American version of the European passenger car Talbot Horizon.
In 1976 studies began to develop the project c2. Driven by strong inflow of the Japanese market and the new U.S. legislation on greenhouse gas emissions, manufacturers labored to produce engines with lower consumption.
Given these constraints, Chrysler decided to design a compact and versatile to be traded on both sides of the Atlantic car. In Europe would be considered a family in America a utility.
Thus, the December 7, 1977 the Horizon was introduced in Europe and the United States simultaneously in France called Simca Horizon, Chrysler Horizon in the rest of Europe, and Plymouth Horizon and Dodge Omni in the U.S. As the first "World Car" (global or comprehensive car car) History. The Horizon was the first car with profiles scanned plaster casts were sent via cable between Europe and America for their design.
In Europe, the model was a revolution. It was named Car of the Year in Europe in 1979, something particularly noticeable since three years before another car of the same brand, the Chrysler/Talbot 150, received the same recognition. The Horizon was also named Car of the Year in Spain in 1981.
In Europe marketing Talbot Horizon ceased in 1985 being its successor the Talbot Horizon SX or Talbot Arizona renamed and marketed as Peugeot 309. Yet across the Atlantic production of the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon remained until 1990 I sold the two models around 2.5 million. In its latest version, installed seat belts in the rear seats, airbags and air conditioning.
The emergence in the U.S. of a small car (American style) powerful and versatile at an affordable price, with a great reception surprised that saved their sales to Chrysler from bankruptcy.
European:
American:
Note that because of the freedom that gives U.S. law when modifying the engines of commercial vehicles, it is possible to find copies of Dodge Omni with excess of 300HP, often in competitions acceleration powers.