Dodge Caliber -

The Dodge Caliber is a compact car produced by the Dodge division of DaimlerChrysler. It is the replacement for the Neon, vehicles, such as a crosshair grille and large flared fenders. The Caliber is one of the first modern Dodge-branded vehicles for sale in the European market. It debuted publicly on January 10, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show, amid jokes by David Spade[1]. The base price is US$13,985. The Caliber's main competitors are the new Chevrolet HHR, the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe and the new Nissan Versa and Suzuki SX4.
Contents2 Models2.2 SXT2.4 SRT-44 Marketing6 External links Overview
The Dodge Caliber offers a continuously variable transmission (dubbed CVT2 by Dodge) sourced from Jatco (a Nissan subsidiary), the second DaimlerChrysler model to employ this technology after the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It uses a four-cylinder 1.8–2.4&# L GEMA gasoline engine.
The car also features an optional electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system with variable torque between speeds of 25 and 65 mph for optimal handling.
The Caliber rides on the GS platform, co-designed with Mitsubishi Motors. It shares the platform with the Mitsubishi Lancer, but is most similar to the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot.
The Caliber is built at the Belvidere Assembly (Illinois) plant, where its predecessor was produced.
As Dodge jumps into the Asian Market, they introduced the Caliber, along with a right-hand drive version of the Viper Coupe as start-out car models in Asia. The Caliber has already gone on sale in Singapore. It has also marked the return of the Dodge brand to Australia, for the first time since the early 1970's.
Models
Three models were available at the Caliber's launch, with a fourth available in mid-2006.
SE2007 Dodge Caliber SE
The base SE model features front-wheel drive and a 1.8&# L 148&# hp (110&# kW) GEMA I4 attached to a Magna Drivetrain T355 5-speed manual transmission. A 2.0&# L 158&# hp (118&# kW) version of the engine paired with the CVT2 transmission is available as an option.
The standard configuration for the SE lacks air conditioning, and does not have power windows, door locks, or mirrors. The grille surround is body-colored, while that of all other models is chromed. There is no tachometer, and no assist handles. 15 inch steel wheels with wheel covers are standard. Some options are not available on the SE.
SXT
The SXT has the same engine choices as the SE but many more features are available as standard. Air conditioning is standard equipment at this level, including the Chill Zone beverage cooler inside the front lower glove compartment. The driver's seat adds height adjustment, the passenger seat now folds flat for load-carrying, and the rear seats now recline. Power windows, locks, mirrors, and remote keyless entry are now included. The grille surround is now chromed, and 17-inch steel wheels are now standard, with 17-inch aluminum wheels as an option. The cargo area light now doubles as a removable, rechargeable flashlight, while the front dome light now incorporates reading lamps. The front console now includes a 115-volt 2-prong power outlet.
Some Dodge publications mention a SXT Sport model, while others (e.g. the Dodge website) list a SXT E package with identical features. This consists of 17-inch aluminum wheels, color-keyed cloth seat inserts, color-matched instrument panel trim, and fog lamps.
The UK SXT Sports model gets 18 inch alloy wheels, color-keyed cloth seats and instrument panel, and a 9-speaker audio system as standard; early UK models do not have the chrome grille. The UK SXT Sport is also available with a Volkswagen 2.0 L diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
R/T
The R/T model has 172&# hp (128&# kW) 2.4&# L version of the GEMA engine, equipped with the CVT2 transmission, and programmed with an 'AutoStick' feature giving six simulated fixed ratios in a clutchless manual mode in addition to the standard CVT 'Drive' mode. 18-inch aluminum wheels are standard, while chromed are an option. At launch, the CVT2 with all-wheel drive was the only powertrain combination available for the R/T. A front-wheel drive variant with the T355 5-speed manual transmission commenced production in late summer 2006. ABS is standard, and the suspension and steering are tuned for performance.
Externally, the R/T is distinguishable by body-color/chrome door handles (replacing black on other models), a chrome side molding, chromed exhaust tip, and front fog lights as standard, as well as R/T badging.
Internally, the car comes as standard with color-keyed fabric seat inserts, leather seats being an option as on the SXT. Color-keyed instrument panel trim is also standard, as is a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and speed control, and a cargo area cover (all options on the SXT).
SRT-4
The SRT-4 model, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2006, is a replacement for the original Neon-based SRT-4 produced by Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology group. It is a hot hatch set to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen GTI and the Mazdaspeed 3. It features a turbocharged version of the 2.4&# L engine with 300&# hp (224&# kW). This is routed to the front wheels with a six-speed manual transmission. The SRT-4 uses the large 13.3&# in (338&# mm) front vented disc brakes with dual-piston calipers and 11.8&# in (300&# mm) rear single-piston disc brakes from the Chrysler 300C. The suspension is lowered as well. The Caliber SRT-4 was originally scheduled to be available for sale in spring 2007 as a 2007 model, however in a recent engineering chat at Caliberforums.com, SRT engineers revealed the vehicle will be sold later this year in the fall as a 2008 model.
Model table Model Year Displacement Engine Power Torque Notes SE SXT1.8&# L148&# hp (110&# kW)Manual transmission only
2.0&# L158&# hp (118&# kW)
141&# ft·lbf (191&# N·m)Diesel2.0&# L138&# hp (103&# kW)Europe only
R/T2.4&# L172&# hp (128&# kW)
165&# ft·lbf (224&# N·m)
SRT-42.4&# L
GEMA turbocharged I4260&# ft·lbf (353&# N·m)
Marketing
The Chrysler Group announced a marketing plan for the first year of the car's production. The plan included 20% of the budget going towards online marketing, a blitz of print ads and a number of television ads.
It should also be noted that Dodge is marketing the Caliber in the exact opposite way that they marketed the Neon when it first came out. With the Neon, they based its advertising campaign mostly on its cuddly looks, with many ads consisting of just the front end of a Neon with the word Hi above it. With the Caliber, they are claiming that it is Anything but cute., and its ads show it repelling cuteness, such as cartoon characters saying that it's neither cuddly nor wuddly or more bluntly it scares the bleep out of me.