The Neon Replacement...A Vibe, Malibu Maxx, Magnum Hybrid

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2007 Dodge Caliber
Source: www.leftlanenews.com

Dodge is taking a new slant on the global compact car market, introducing the 2007 Dodge Caliber at a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $13,985 (including a $560 destination charge), $410 below the Dodge Neon that it replaces. “Dodge Caliber is not your typical small car,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing. “The all-new Dodge Caliber redefines the compact car by combining crossover styling with space-efficient packaging, interior flexibility, innovative features and affordable performance.” The 2007 Dodge Caliber will be available in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2006 and in global volume markets in the second quarter of 2006.

* Standard side-curtain air bags
* MusicGate Power An available nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with subwoofer 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 tailgating and other activities
* An available dual purpose, self-recharging removable flashlight, which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight
* Chill Zone A cooled beverage storage bin that can hold up to four 20-oz. bottles or cans (available in air conditioning-equipped models)
* A floor console sliding armrest moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player
* An available 110-volt outlet in the center console can power small electronics (SXT and R/T)
* Illuminated front cup holders rings glow blue-green to match other center stack lighting
* A front passenger seat folds forward to create a table-like surface for versatility (SXT and R/T models)
* 60/40 rear seats both fold flat and recline 12 degrees (SXT and R/T models)
* A vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area is both washable and removable
* YES Essentials fabric — an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile protects seats from stains, odors and discoloration (late availability)

Three engine offerings (1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-liter) provide class-leading horsepower (148 hp, 158 hp and 172 hp, respectively). Chrysler Group engineers met aggressive performance and fuel economy targets through advanced cylinder head port and intake manifold design. Technologies in the Chrysler Group World Engine include dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and intake manifold design with flow control valves, firsts for a Chrysler Group compact car. Combined, these features produce more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without them.

Dodge Caliber’s CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler Group engineers have calibrated for pleasing engine response, precise ratio control and an AutoStick feature that allows for manual control with the simulation of six stepped gears. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6-8 percent compared with a traditional 4-speed automatic.

Dodge Caliber is the Chrysler Group’s first compact car with available electromagnetically controlled all-wheel drive with variable torque output, which gives customers year-round assurance, added performance and seamless, automatic operation.

Dodge Caliber enters the U.S. market priced $410 below the outgoing Dodge Neon with more content, including standard side-curtain air bags. The newest compact car on the market is available in Caliber SE, Caliber SXT and Caliber R/T models.

At a U.S. MSRP of $13,985 (including $560 destination charge), the Dodge Caliber SE includes a standard 148 horsepower 1.8-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. Other standard equipment not typically found in compact cars at this price includes; standard side-curtain air bags, a vinyl load floor, auxiliary radio input jack, electrically lit front cup holders, 12-volt power outlet, a center console sliding armrest that moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid features a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player. Additional standard features include body color grille and fascias and black door handles, flexible 60/40 split-fold rear seats, manual windows and locks, fabric seats, tilt steering wheel, dome and cargo lights and 15-inch wheels and tires.

Optional features on the Dodge Caliber SE include a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter World Engine coupled with the second-generation CVT2 (which includes standard anti-lock brakes), six-disc radio with cassette and MP3 CD play capability, Power Group (which includes driver one-touch power window, power locks, remote keyless entry and power mirrors), body color liftgate appliqué, air conditioning, Chill Zone (which is an integrated instrument panel beverage cooler included with air conditioning), integrated instrument panel beverage cooler, speed control, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Uconnect hands-free communication system, trailer tow group, floor mats and 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 tailgating and other activities).

Dodge Caliber SXT features a standard 148 horsepower 1.8-liter World Engine coupled with a five-speed manual transaxle. In addition to the many standard features included on the SE model, the SXT adds 60/40 rear seats that both fold flat and recline, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a dual-purpose re-chargeable/removable interior lamp, map light, air conditioning, Chill Zone tachometer, power windows, mirrors and door locks, remote keyless entry, 110-volt electrical outlet in the center console, manual seat height adjuster, floor mats, bright silver IP bezels and switches. The Dodge Caliber SXT’s exterior features standard black dual power mirrors, body-color body-side molding, chrome grille and 17-inch wheels and wheel covers.

Available options on the Dodge Caliber SXT beyond those offered on the SE model include a 2.0-liter World Engine coupled with the CVT2, leather steering wheel with radio control options, heated seats, power sunroof, fog lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a Security Group (which includes tonneau cover, alarm and air filtration system) and a Driver Convenience Group (which includes compass and temperature gauge, universal garage door opener, electrochromic mirror and tire pressure monitor) and a Leather Interior Group (which includes leather seats, heated front seats and manual lumbar adjuster).

A Sport Package also is available on the SXT model and includes fog lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels and a Sport Appearance Package (which includes cloth seats with colored inserts, color-keyed PRNDL and instrument panel bezels).

The Dodge Caliber R/T with all-wheel drive features a standard 172-horsepower 2.4-liter World Engine with dual VVT coupled with CVT2, anti-lock brakes, AutoStick, a sport-suspension, performance steering and 18-inch aluminum wheels.

In addition to the standard features on the SE and SXT models, standard features on the Dodge Caliber R/T include leather steering wheel with radio controls, tonneau cover, premium fabric seats, silver bezels on the instrument panel and chrome interior door handles.

The Dodge Caliber R/T’s exterior features a chrome grille, body-color lower fascias, body-color sill moldings, chrome plated body-side moldings, body-color door handles and fog lamps.

An optional feature on the Dodge Caliber R/T models equipped with all-wheel drive, beyond those offered on the SXT, include 18-inch chrome wheels.

All 2007 Dodge Caliber models will be available in Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Solar Yellow Clear Coat, Sunburst Orange Pearl Coat, Marine Blue Pearl Coat, Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat and Stone White Clear Coat.

All models feature a two-tone interior color theme of dark and lighter shades of Pastel Slate Gray or Pastel Pebble Beige. An optional Sport Appearance Package includes Pastel Slate Gray with red, yellow, orange or blue seat inserts that coordinate with the exterior color, center stack and shifter bezels.

Full model details, specifications and pricing for markets outside North America will be released ahead of the vehicle’s launch in each respective market.

jan10caliber_2.jpg

jan10caliber_1.jpg
 
Any coupe pictures?

No turbo on the R/T? Is this another Civic-SI repeat? ("Lets build a car that takes off, and then cut production.")
 
dodge caliber?

looks like a cross between a pontiac vibe and a magnum... but i gotta admit, it looks pretty good
 
Lots of nifty features in this car. I like it. But throw in the AWD, and I love it, despite the ugly styling.

And I'm thinking exactly what Onikaze is thinking. AWD SRT-4. My mind is barely able to grasp the awsomeness of that thought. That will be one helluva car when it comes out.

Kudos to Dodge; it seems they've really made an effort here to produce a good car. Hopefully consumers will respond accordingly.
 
Pros: Good looks, sounds like it has a healthy list of options, available AWD
Cons: Mitsubishi parts with questionable quality, kinda big for a sport compact
Verdict: Dont count this Dodge out just yet, just dont expect it to beat up on the Golf or Civic

I like it, but its going to take a bit more to warm me over. The styling looks good, and the price sounds right... But size looks a bit big for a sport compact.
 
Damn, it looks like the Magnum had sex with a Pontiac Vibe and this is the outcome 9 months later.
 
I would really have liked this if it were released a few years back.

Instead of creating the vibe or "that other odd one," it would have been much better to bring this and save the money of the other two projects for this one and the neon. 👍

Just my opinion though. :p

But this car doesn't look too bad. :)
 
One word - WHY? I've thought the Neon was perhaps the hottest American compact. And surely the SRT-4 was the baddest of them. I never considered them girly, generic, or boring. Someone would probably ask "don't we have one too many SUV-like or wagon-like cars?

The Neon will be sadly missed. Trouble is, I don't think the Caliber will be the new Neon, much like the Scion tC was the Toyota Celica's replacement. Being 22 (going on 23), I don't know how the American youth segment will respond the passing [of the torch] of the Neon. But, if the Caliber can deliver from the car it replaces, then I think we can all appreciate it.

About its looks... I kind of think of it as a more rugged Ford Focus, especially with the side styling. Or... is the wagon making a comeback? I thought the Vibe was okay, the Matrix pretty nice, but this machine- we'll find out what reviewers will think when they make their marks on the car. "Integra Type R" share the same view, just different terms:

"How does this replace the Neon? This looks like an ugly-as-sin SUV." - "Integra Type R"
 
I've always thought this was a bad idea, ever since it first popped up on the internet. It's like if they replaced the Cobalt with a mini-Silverado. :rolleyes:
 
I kind of thought the Neon was a bright point on the domestic compact landscape, too. But there's just no denying the chassis and engines were getting old (despite the SRT-4). I was sad to see the Protege go, too (wonderful chassis also), but those two cars had reached the end of their chassis lifespan. They were as good as they were going to get, and would probably not keep up with the competition... If Dodge had kept on with the Neon, it would've just become another Cavalier five years down the road.

I hated this the first time I saw. But you know what? On reflection, the only big problem on this car is the big grille. If I cover the grille, I can just imagine this to be any other compact... but with butch styling.

Lower it, put it on non-SUV style rims, and change that grille to something more dynamic, and it'll pass muster.

Sure they're Mitsu engines, YSSMAN? The sizes are right, but the Mitsubishi MIVEC versions of those engines don't get nearly that much power. And why doesn't Mitsu get them? They definitely need them.
 
Imo this car has one thing in common with the Neon, they're both ugly. I didn't like the looks of the Neon, sure I can appreciate the SRT-4 was a decent small sports car (don't know if it was a hatch or not) but I really, really dissliked the looks of them. And this looks uninspired to me, at least the Neon's design was original, this is ugly and unoriginal. Might turn out to be a decent car mind.
 
The Neon, unlike the Caviler, didn't need to be killed...just redesigned.
 
I think DCX is still utilising the Mitsubishi engines in all of their sub-LX cars... I know there have been some problems within the company for doing so... But I also herd that Hyundai developed their Lambada engine classes to be the replacement for the Mitsubishi powerplants in most of the DCX lineup...

Car and Driver
Dodge will be offering three different four-cylinder engines in the Caliber, a 1.8-, 2.0-, and a 2.4-liter. Horsepower will come in at 138 horsepower for the base 1.8-liter, 158 ponies for the mid-level 2.0-liter and 172 horses for the 2.4-liter. All-wheel drive will be optional, front-wheel drive is standard as will be a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Chrysler claims will offer better driving feel than the CVTs currently on the market.

Helpful? Not completely...

But if this car is a hit, how much do you want to bet Chevrolet and Ford do a mini-crossover to compete? Oh wait, the HHR and Focus have been doing it for years... Except without AWD... And agressive styling...
 
Do you all see this Neon -> Caliber religious sacrifice as a step up for Dodge, or a step down?
 
Step down, but we'll see how it performs in sales compared to the Neon did when it comes out.
 
I guess it's a step-up in terms of image and chassis development... but stepping into... where?

The way they promote it, the Caliber comes off as an SUV wannabe, when, just by looking at it, I can find a dozen small things they could do with it to make it into a very handsome car-like compact and make its market direction clearer.

Does DCX only make trucks and trucklike cars now? (note the looks of the new Charger and Magnum... the most truck-ish front ends you'll find on any car). I know in-your-face brand identification is in, but this is nuts.
 
Step down....Dodge needs to quit putting a corporate face on the cars, and if they are going to continue to do so they need to make it less ugly.
 
They could have done the grille in a more tasteful manner.

This looks like they just glued it on there.

I don't mind spreading the identity, but make it fit the car, the Challenger has the crosshairs grille, but it fits the car.
 
BlazinXtreme
Step down....Dodge needs to quit putting a corporate face on the cars, and if they are going to continue to do so they need to make it less ugly.

I agree, I think this doesn't help create an image, it helps destroy one. Certain things are nice to keep standard across the line of cars, such as text, and placement of logos, but branding everything to look the same cheapens it for me.

One could agrue though, it works for Chrysler's parent company, Benz. So is this an influence of the mothership thinking that it has worked for them, why not their new baby?

My rebuttal to that would be that companies such as Benz and BMW started out with just sedans. One type of car. Each car there after was a spawn of the last. Therfore allow the public to accept that a Benz, or BMW look the way they do. Even Porshe follows that thinking.

Chrysler and Dodge didn't come up that way. These are companies that provide the public with cars they need. Each design responding to the task it was built to fufill. Therfore, making us, the public, used to seeing options when we drove up to a Dodge dealership.

By the comapny forging in the direction its going, I feel like my options are being striped.

Bottomline:
If you go to buy a SRT-4, do you really want it to look like your Mom's Mini-van?
 
...I'm going to have to go against the crowd on this one and say the Caliber is a HUGE step up from the Neon. Has anyone actually driven one in the past few years? You might know what I'm talking about then... The car has been completely outclassed by ALL of it's competition, and even the tiny Toyota Echo was a better drive than the last Neon I drove...

I like the mini-Magnum look, but I'm a bit worried that the performance of the car will be watered down with the higher ride height and AWD options... Wait and see, the SRT Version might kick ass...
 
In addition to asking if the Neon -> Caliber "makeover" is a step up or step down, do you think the Caliber could have been its own model, rather than replacing the Neon? Since the Neon is such a huge American car for the tuner crowd, how do you think they will respond to this replacement, and will the crowd embrace the Caliber the same way they embraced the Neon?
 
I think the Caliber could have stood alone, as its relationship with the Neon kinda reminds me of the relationship between the Toyota Matrix XRS and the Corolla XRS.

The Caliber is going to offer more room, better refinement, a better list of options, and overall is going to be lightyears ahead of the Neon... Only the SRT-4 will be missed, but even then, were less than a year away from the SRT-4 version of the Caliber, and word is that it will be faster than it's predecessor...

Plus, with the optional AWD, Dodge may surprise us all and attempt to take on the STi and Evolution IX...
 
This may seem like a dumb question, but even though the Dodge Neon is being replaced with the Dodge Caliber, do you think the Neon (especially the SRT-4) should be re-released or given a new name?

What do you think an SRT model of this Caliber will be like? Will it sell as well as the SRT-4 Neon, maybe even rack up a few postive awards?
 
Here is word Ive been hearing, in an abridged form:

Motor Trend
The Caliber SRT4 is supposed to debut at the 2006 Chicago auto show. The Sccops and vents on the test mule confirm rumors that the Caliber SRT4 will be powered by a turbocharged version of the new DCX 2.4L inline four. Whispers from Aburn Hills say the SRT4 will pack close to 300HP.

There has also been a great ammount of debate over the choise of FWD or AWD... FWD fanatics want to keep cost down, but keeping 300HP in check is going to take good chassis engineering and clever electonic controls...Expect lower ride height, stiffer suspension, and large diameter wheels and low profile tires to keep the Caliber SRT4 glued to the tarmac...

cliber.srt.340.jpg
 
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