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MANY Detroit cars are designed by committee. But the 1988 DodgeDynasty LE was created by computer survey.

The car’s name is no accident. It was influenced by TV’s Nielsenratings.

Sick? Not really. Not slick, either.

Nobody’s taking too many chances in marketing nowadays, andChrysler’s no different. If you wanna get a hit, you gotta find a niche.But first you gotta do a poll or a whole bunch of polls. That’s whatChrysler did in preparing the way for the Dynasty, a six-passenger,front-wheel-drive sedan.

Chrysler’s demographers found that, between now and the end of thecentury, most new-car buyers in the United States will be 35 to 54 yearsold. Lots of ’em will have annual household incomes of $50,000 or more.

Yeah, you’re right. Affluent “baby boomers.” Most of these boomerfolk have children, which means they usually need big cars. Many alsohave big egos, which they tend to stroke with their wallets.

Chrysler’s polling also turned up something else: Lotsa boomers areunimpressed with the automotive media’s ranting over the sexiness andfunctional virtue of swoopy aerodynamic design. In fact, some boomersthink the aero raves are downright adolescent. They prefer “classicallystyled,” boxy cars.

Enter the Dynasty, a classic box if ever there was one. It’severything that Chrysler says successful, conservative Americans want: awell-crafted, practical, reasonably attractive, extremely comfortable,relatively safe, technically competent, competitively priced automobile.

Chrysler’s rivals had better watch out for this one. The name’scorny, but this Dynasty’s definitely no soap opera.

Complaint: I was ready to hate this car — the “Dynasty” tag comesnauseatingly close to pandering. But my prejudice disappeared over theroad. This machine delivers everything it promises — not bad in aworld that runs on ceremonial truth.

Praise: The thought, care, quality and overall common sense investedin this car. Craftsmanship is superb, which is no trifle.”Technologically advanced” cars that shake and rattle when they rollleave me cold. This one’s tight.

The technology is there, too. The test model comes with a new,computer-controlled, 3-liter, V-6 engine that runs so smoothly you canbarely detect downshifting. Other computers control dashboardinstrumentation and gauges and power door locks. The car also has anoptional anti-lock braking system and electronically controlledsuspension. T’ain’t no slouch.

Head-turning-quotient: Authoritarian elegance.

Ride, acceleration, handling: Not a racer, nor a sports car. Nomatter. It’s wonderful on the road, especially on long trips. The3-liter V-6 is rated at 136 hp at 4,800 rpm. The standard 2.5-liter,4-cylinder engine develops 96 hp at 4,400 rpm. Spend the extra bucks onthe V-6.

Sound system: Whoa! AM/FM stereo radio and cassette, six speakers.Chrysler’s Infinity I system. Fantastic!

Mileage: About 21 to the gallon (16-gallon tank, estim ated 328-milerange on usable volume), driver only, heater in use fulltime, runningmostly highway and back roads in the Arresting State of Maryland and theGreat State of Virginia.

Price: $16,832, including $4,111 in options and $495 destinationcharge. Dealer’s invoice price on Dynasty LE is $13,986.45, according toAutomobile Invoice Service of San Jose.