Dodge Nitro and Caliber head for Blighty
Newswheel staff :: 08 February 2006 :: Filed under Crossover, SUV, Dodge, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Nitro, Europe & UK, US
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UK availability in 2007
By US standards, the Caliber is little more than a slightly fancier-than-average econobox with crossover pretensions. It’s effectively Chrysler’s replacement for the competent but dreary Neon and starts at just $14,000 Stateside. But with 300bhp from a turboed-up 2.4-litre four, it’ll be interesting to see what impact the SRT-4 model will make when it arrives in the UK in early 2007.
The Dodge Caliber SRT-4. 300 turbo-charged hores and front-wheel drive. Torque steer anyone?
One thing is for sure. Do not bank on Nurburgring-bashing chassis dynamics. Especially with that triple-ton of ponies scrabbling through the front wheels. But hey, with 260lb/ft the SRT-4 won’t be short of straight line poke: expect a sub-six second dash to 60. The only problem could be pricing. Top Gear magazine reckons on a figure of around £20,000. If correct, that translates into a $35,000 Caliber. And that is a little silly.
As for the Nitro, it’s a mid-sized SUV based on Jeep Liberty gubbins and will initially be offered with a 210bhp 3.7-litre petrol V6. A 3-litre diesel is expected to follow shortly after the car’s March 2007 UK launch. No word as yet whether the optional “R/T” 4.0-litre 255bhp V6 will be making it across the pond. Dodge is pushing safety hard with the Nitro and will be offering a plethora of life-saving kit such as air bags galore and a full stability control system. Other neat features include the “Load ‘n Go” electric cargo floor which extends out from the rear hatch by 18 inches to aid loading and unloading and optional 20-inch rims, which will no doubt be de rigueur for the Nitro’s very likely – let’s be honest – ostentatious target market. UK pricing has not been announced.
Posted 05 May 2007, by Donte