Dodge Caliber

Dodge has revealed a production version of the Dodge Caliber at the Detroit Auto Show, the vehicle that will launch the brand in Australia in the third quarter of 2006, taking a new slant on the global compact car market.

The Dodge Caliber redefines the compact car category by combining high value with bold styling and a flexible interior. It is designed to appeal to owners who want Dodge attitude packaged with the capability and versatility of a sport-utility vehicle and the affordability and fuel-efficiency of a compact car.

With a sporty coupe-like profile, the Caliber has a distinctive crossbar grille front end and will be available with a range of fuel efficient four cylinder engines.

“The Dodge Caliber is not your typical small car,” said Gerry Jenkins, managing director, Chrysler Jeep Australia.

“Caliber will appeal to owners looking for a compact car that stands out from the crowd and gives them the flexibility to do more in terms of seating friends and gear.

“The compact car segment is competitive, but our research tells us that customers are tired of the bland offerings in this segment. The Dodge Caliber is boldly designed but will also deliver with affordable pricing, European-style handling and fuel-efficient engines,” said Jenkins.

The 2007 Dodge Caliber will arrive in Chrysler dealerships around Australia in the third quarter of 2006. Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.

Dodge Caliber profile

Room to grow

Dodge Caliber will draw from the small and mid-size car segments. The small car segment has been consistently growing in recent years and is expected to continue to do so. With 215,324 registrations in 2005, the small car segment grew by 19 per cent year-over-year accounting for over 35 per cent of total passenger cars sales in Australia.

‘Pure Dodge’ design

Dodge Caliber is a five-door vehicle that combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the strength, stance and functionality of an SUV. Caliber's sheer surface treatment commands attention and evokes attributes that define the Dodge brand: bold, powerful, capable and street smart.

“With its bold styling and clever packaging, Caliber is pure Dodge,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President—Design, Chrysler Group.

“The Dodge Caliber brings emotion to the competitive compact car segment,” Creed added.

There is no mistaking Caliber. The all-new compact car has Dodge’s imprint stamped into its DNA from the grille to the tail pipe. The signature crosshair grille gives Caliber the distinct face of Dodge and defines its strong, muscular front view.

Strong, sculpted fender forms, broad shoulders and a distinctive hood give Caliber its proud, powerful stance. Large, crystal headlamps and available fog lamps complement the Dodge grille and create an integrated look that completes Caliber's sporty appearance.

Dodge Caliber storage

A black graphic design accent, which runs the length of the roof, melds into an integrated rear-roof spoiler, creating a coupe-like visual quality from the side view. New and unique glass-to-body proportions give the Dodge Caliber a tough, protective presence, and the forward sweep of the tailgate further emphasizes Caliber's sporty profile.

The rear view of the Dodge Caliber is as distinctive and powerful as the front. The black roof spoiler with integrated center high-mounted stop lamp and large modular crystal taillamps fill Caliber’s rear corners and provide distinct focal points of the Caliber’s rear-view design. Dodge’s “do more” philosophy is evident in Caliber's rear liftgate, which provides easy access to the vehicle’s spacious interior.

Fun features and flexibility

Customer demand for a compact vehicle with a lot of interior flexibility and utility had a big influence on Dodge Caliber’s interior, which provides comfortable seating for the driver and up to four passengers, plus room for gear.

“Dodge Caliber’s spacious interior also is very versatile,” said Matt Liddane, Chief Engineer—Dodge Caliber. “We combined style and comfort with innovative features and clever packaging to create a vehicle that gives new meaning to functionality in the compact car market.”

Dodge Caliber is full of available innovative interior features including:

Dodge Caliber's MusicGate Power

• MusicGate Power.® A nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with subwoofer that includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for outdoor picnics and other activities
  
• A self-recharging removable flashlight, which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area, can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight
  
• Chill Zone.® A cooled beverage storage bin that can hold up to four 590 ml. bottles or cans
  
• Illuminated front cup holders rings that glow blue-green to match other centre stack lighting
  
• A front passenger seat that folds forward to create a table-like surface for versatility
  
• A washable and removable vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area