Dodge Caliber. December 2006
Back in my childhood some of the most respected and powerful cars bore the badges of Dodge, Buick or Pontiac.
As I grew up the Dodge brand lived on in trucks, but by the 1970s the brand had all but disappeared from Australian roads.
Ironically the last Dodges were sold under the Chrysler badge and now some 30 years later the brand has returned to Australia as part of the expanded Daimler Chrysler family.
Opening the offensive for Dodge is the Caliber, a chunky and distinctive five door hatchback. It has the looks of a SUV, but is only offered in Australia in two-wheel drive models.
Caliber is the first of a wave of new Dodge vehicles, with a new vehicle to be introduced every six months until the end of 2008.
Caliber is a large vehicle in the compact market, offering robust , "look-at-me" styling and plenty of interior room.
It has recently been joined by a more sports oriented R/T model and a turbo diesel is on the horizon.
Early 2007 the Dodge Nitro arrives - a mid-sized four-wheel drive - to be followed by the Avenger car. The Nitro is the Dodge branded version of the Jeep Cherokee with a much bolder body, although it runs on the same mechanical package as the Cherokee. The standard model will be powered by a 3.7-litre V6 and a 4.0-litre V6 in the R/T version. The Dodge Durango 4WD is also a possibility down the track as is the retro Charger or Challenger.
The Caliber is a stand alone model offered in four models - ST, SX, SXT and R/T - powered by either a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engines. The 1.8-litre produces 110kW, the 2.0-litre 115kW and the 2.4-litre found in the R/T 127kW. A 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing 103kW will be available shortly.
The entry level ST model features dual and front curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, keyless entry, central locking, air conditioning, CD Stereo, tilt adjust steering wheel, power windows, power folding and heated exterior mirrors and 60/40 split rear seats that fold flat.
Clever features that differentiate the Caliber, include a drinks chiller that can hold up to 4 cans and a dual-purpose self recharging removable torch mounted in the rear headlining.
Disappointingly only a space saver spare wheel is provided.
The SX adds a manual driver's seat height adjuster, cargo cover, six stack CD changer and 17-inch alloy wheels. The STX adds leather seats, cruise control, heated front seats, steering wheel audio controls, reclining rear seats, front fog lights and different design alloy wheels.
Caliber R/T is powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine producing 125 kW and 220 Nm, which has dual variable valve timing and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission for excellent acceleration and economy.
The ST 1.8-litre manual is priced at $23,990, the SX 1.8-litre manual $25,990, SX 2.0-litre CVT (constant variable transmission) $28,490, SXT 1.8-litre manual $27,490, SXT 2.0-litre CVT $29,990 and the R/T 2.4-litre manual $29,990. Prices for turbo-diesel Caliber will be announced upon its introduction late this year.
Externally the Caliber is an exciting vehicle that has a distinctive body with chunky bulging wheel arches, sweeping roof lines and chiselled nose. Inside there is plenty of room, with ample head and shoulder room for larger passengers, and rear seats are also adult friendly. With seating for four adults in comfort, Caliber still has a decent boot size. For the driver there are large A pillars and the nose drops away rapidly hindering precise knowledge of where the front ends when parking. Seating is reasonably supportive and the gear gate initially takes a little getting use to. There is no foot rest for the driver.
The engines are the result of a joint venture between Daimler Chrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. The 1.8-litre unit produces 110kW and is frankly disappointing. On paper the 20-litre engine offers only a marginal 5kW and 12Nm advance, but what a difference it makes. The five speed manual offering is an average package, whereas the 2.0-litre auto is streets ahead. The CVT delivers far more enthusiastic performance. The CVT continuously varies the transaxle ratio, providing an infinite number of gear ratios and allows the engine to stay in its most efficient operating range. The transaxle uses belts instead of gears to create drive ratios, and combines with a hydraulic torque converter to deliver a feel of a conventional automatic.
Caliber uses independent suspension and ride is more than acceptable. Caliber hugged the road well and our 8.4 litres per 100km was a great figure for an essentially mid-sized car. There is no manual option for the 2.0-litre engine which is only available with CVT.
The R/T model was not available at the launch drive and is equipped with a more powerful normally aspirated 2.4-litre petrol engine producing 125 kW and 220 Nm. The R/T model adds as standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control and Brake Assist, 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats with colour inserts, a bright exhaust tip and chrome body details. Available options on the Dodge Caliber R/T model include power sunroof and the MusicGate Power Group that offers a 458 watt nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a subwoofer and two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate.
Caliber has also received the US government's highest rating for side and frontal-impact crash protection with a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Caliber is pitched at a youthful market and certainly has much to commend.
Brian Tanner
