The Dodge Caliber is a front wheel drive, compact car that replaced the Neon back in 2006. Since it has five doors, it can also be considered a hatchback, station wagon, or CUV. The most recent update for the Caliber brought on six new exterior colors, standard stability control, Sirius traffic when equipped with a navigation system, 18" chrome-clad wheels, updated steering, new shocks, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar. The biggest change is the upgrades made to the interior. It features a new instrument panel with a center storage bin, bright trim accents, and chromed HVAC vents and gauge cluster rings.
The Dodge Caliber is powered by a either a 2.0L I-4 producing 158HP and 141 lb-ft of torque or a 2.4L I-4 producing 172HP and 165 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to a 5-speed manual, continuously variable transmission.
Expect good things from Chrysler in 2012, beginning with the first appearance of the Fiat-sourced Dodge Caliber replacement at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. To be built on a stretched version of Fiat’s high-volume compact platform, the new Dodge Caliber (or whatever the replacement will be called) will likely be the first in a series of new compacts from Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep. The Fiat platform is so versatile that it can be used for anything from compacts through mid-size vehicles, making it the ideal choice for a cost-conscious manufacturer like Chrysler.
Since Chrysler hasn’t focused on hybrids, electrics, or compact, fuel-saving engines to date, the automaker will have some catching up to do. Rumors say the new Chrysler compact cars will offer a range of normally-aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines, mated to eight and nine speed automatic transmissions for impressive fuel economy numbers. There’s even word of a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission, which probably means that a replacement for the Dodge Caliber SRT4 is in the works.
We had a chance to speak with SRT head, Ralph Gilles, last spring, and he was tight-lipped about what may or may not be in the development pipeline. He was enthusiastic about their upcoming compacts, however, as well as the bound-for-the-U.S. Fiat 500 Abarth. There’s no denying that the SRT8 versions of the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 are fun to drive, but it looks like small-car Mopar fans will have a very good year ahead of them.
Jeep isn’t the only one of Chrysler’s divisions who has begun to unleash their 2011 models to the world. Dodge is also introducing its newest refreshes, facelifts, and not-so-much-changed models. The 2011 Caliber falls in the latter category only because they just received a refresh in 2010. Aside from being available in five different trim levels - Express, Mainstreet, Uptown, Heat, and Rush - the Caliber will be receiving new lifestyle packages, equipment upgrades, and new exterior colors. It may sound like a lot, but it really isn’t all that different.
The 2011 Caliber will be offered with a choice of two engines: 2.0-liter or 2.4 liter DOHC I-4 World Gas Engine, delivering either 158 or 172 HP. These engines will be mated to the continuously variable transmission II (CVT2).
Depending on the version picked, the Caliber is being offered with a sport-tuned suspension, Auto Stick, 18-in. polished-aluminum wheels, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), performance steering, and a sport appearance group. The Heat, Uptown, and Rush will also be getting electronic stability control as standard (optional last year). All models will receive a new navigation radio with SIRIUS Travel Link allowing the customer to get weather, local fuel prices, sports scores, and movie listings.
The last little new detail for the 2011 Caliber is that the SUV will get six new colors: Redline 2 Pearl Coat, Mango Tango Pearl Coat, Blackberry Pearl Coat, Dark Charcoal Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Tungsten Metallic Pearl Coat.
Press release after the jump.
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Here we go again, more accelerator pedal problems from automakers. This time its Chrysler, who are recalling 34,000 Dodge and Jeep vehicles to fix sticking gas pedals made by the same supplier who was involved in the Toyota recalls.
Chrysler told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that 25,263 Dodge Calibers and 71 Jeep Compass vehicles were equipped with brake-override systems, but the Detroit automaker issued the voluntary recall anyway.
Chrysler believes that the defect started at CTS. At the factory the bearing housings were made to be too large. This problem was corrected in March 2006. The automaker thinks that only 30% of the vehicles recalled will suffer from the pedal problem.
It was Toyota that first blamed CTS for the accelerator pedal problem after 2.3 million cars were recalled this year. Toyota said many times that the pedals and the floor mats were the only reasons behind the problem. Yet, despite their claims, the NHTSA and two congressional committees are still looking for answers. They believe that the electronics may be at fault.
The NHTSA already fined Toyota $16.4 million for delaying the recall, stating that the company knew about the problem before the recall was announced.
Since the recalls, lawmakers have increased their attention on the NHTSA. Not surprisingly, automakers have also been quicker to issue recalls as well. The NHTSA has been more aggressive with defect probes. In fact, the organization issued one on Chrysler after customer complaints were made back in April.
Looks like the Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Nitro failed to make a spark in the UK because the brand has decided to drop both models from their line-up across the Atlantic.
The cutting off of the Caliber and the Nitro leaves the Dodge Journey as the sole remaining model that’s being sold by Dodge in the UK. And if you so happen to look at Dodge’s UK website, you’ll notice that when you ’Select a vehicle’, you’re only given one choice in the Journey.
Kind of defeats the purpose of "choosing" a model, doesn’t it?
There’s no word on whether Dodge will be replacing the Caliber and the Nitro with other models from their fleet to sell in the UK, so as of now, British customers will pretty much have slim pickings when they’re looking for a Dodge to drive out on the highway.
The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 is a bona fide mini muscle car and it is looking as good as ever. The Mopar engineers have done an excellent job transforming the this plus sized traditional two box hatch into an extremely aggressive pavement pounder. This Bright Silver Metallic clear coat SRT-4 differentiates itself from standard Calibers thanks to a very stylish body kit consisting of everything from a big mouth front bumper and vented hood all the way to an oversized spoiler and 19 inch rims on the outside while the interior benefits from bits like sport buckets and an Autometer boost gauge so that you can keep tabs on what the go fast compressor is doing.
The heart of any true muscle car is the power plant, and the SRT-4 won’t disappoint horsepower junkies. The 2.4 Liter turbocharged four cylinder offers plenty of torque due to its rather large displacement while the hairdryer under the hood ensures that you will have fun all the way to redline at 13 PSI. The mill is good for a total of 285 HP and 265 lb-ft of torque and will accelerate the SRT-4 from 0 to 60 MPH in a mere 5.4 seconds and complete the standing quarter mile in 14.4 ticks at a very fast 103 MPH, all while returning 19 MPG around town and as many as 27 MPG while cruising at highway speeds with the turbo singing.
Starting at $25,470 the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 is very well styled, from the vents in the hood to the diffuser out back this car had enough show to match the 285 HP worth of go and proved to be one of the best examples of affordable speed on the market today and despite consumers leanign towards fuel economy over fun for their new car purchases we just hope that Mopar continues to do what they do best by sticking SRT badges on Chrysler’s compacts.
Continued after the jump.
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