Stratus in the four-door package was redesigned in 2001 to replace a previous sedan of the same name. Constructed on a stiff platform and powered by strong engines, it appears in a sleek shell with fresh interior appointments. Stratus as a sedan extends to 2003 with three familiar trims but a fourth version is new with strategic price points applied and plenty of standard features. The new Stratus SXT edition, motivated by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 150 hp and an automatic transaxle, rolls on 16-inch cast aluminum wheels with standard equipment aboard like power door locks and power windows, a premium audio package with CD deck and remote keyless entry. Three repeating trims include Stratus SE, ES and racy R/T, with all this year drawing power from a 2.7-liter dual-cam V6 scored to 200 hp. The V6 connects to an automatic four-speed transaxle, although as a sporty concession Dodge offers the AutoStick for clutch-less shift control but Stratus R/T gets a five-speed manual. In addition, a performance suspension on R/T tweaks spring rates with front and rear stabilizer bars added and the chassis lowered by about half an inch.