Is it me or do I see some Pontiac Aztec styling in the rear?
2007 Dodge Caliber Gets SRT Treatment—and 300 Horsepower
Thread Starter
Speaks French in Russian
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,397
Likes: 100
From: What is G?
2007 Dodge Caliber Gets SRT Treatment—and 300 Horsepower
2007 Dodge Caliber Gets SRT Treatment—and 300 Horsepower
by Marty Padgett
(2006-02-08)
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto...289.A9989.html
by Marty Padgett
(2006-02-08)
The new Caliber may satisfy world econocar shoppers, but the lusty new SRT4 edition takes a different tack. "It's everything a tuner could want, no assembly required," says George Murphy, Chrysler Group VP of global marketing. To the stock Caliber, Dodge straps on a turbocharged version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Caliber R/T for a rousing 300 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, the SRT4 scoots to 60 mph in less than 6.0 seconds, Dodge says. The Caliber body gets dressed up with front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a single exhaust tip, along with a hatch-mounted spoiler and 19-inch wheels. In the cabin, Dodge yanks out the base seats and installs sport buckets with contrast stitching. New gauges include a 200-mph speedometer, and more realistically, a boost and water temperature gauge. A 13-speaker audio system is optional, as are Sirius radio and Bluetooth connectivity.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
Yeah, I see some of the Aztec styling but also the Chevy Equinox. This Caliber is a bad idea especially when you have the Grand Cherokee SRT running around, but hey one's a Jeep and the other is a Dodge.
Still, I would love to see one of these in action on the streets.
Still, I would love to see one of these in action on the streets.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Isn't it amazing how the RX 300, once derided for it's "feminine" lines, is now the basic model on which an entire class of vehicles is based? Look at the profile of the latest from Chrysler, Mercedes, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Saturn, Buick, and practically all of the Eastern offerings. If they don't have an RX clone this year, look for it on the show stand next. Very few have taken the basic idea and put their own stamp on it, notably Cadillac.
The fender line, rear quarter, a low, sloped hood blending with a steeply raked windshield, prominent wheel arches and flares, spoiler, large glass area tapering to the tail, a liftback that rakes forward into the roofline . . .
Talk about the herd instinct. There seem to be very few stylists out there with a grain of originality.
The fender line, rear quarter, a low, sloped hood blending with a steeply raked windshield, prominent wheel arches and flares, spoiler, large glass area tapering to the tail, a liftback that rakes forward into the roofline . . .
Talk about the herd instinct. There seem to be very few stylists out there with a grain of originality.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,338
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
Originally Posted by Lil4X
Isn't it amazing how the RX 300, once derided for it's "feminine" lines, is now the basic model on which an entire class of vehicles is based? Look at the profile of the latest from Chrysler, Mercedes, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Saturn, Buick, and practically all of the Eastern offerings. If they don't have an RX clone this year, look for it on the show stand next. Very few have taken the basic idea and put their own stamp on it, notably Cadillac.
The fender line, rear quarter, a low, sloped hood blending with a steeply raked windshield, prominent wheel arches and flares, spoiler, large glass area tapering to the tail, a liftback that rakes forward into the roofline . . .
Talk about the herd instinct. There seem to be very few stylists out there with a grain of originality.
The fender line, rear quarter, a low, sloped hood blending with a steeply raked windshield, prominent wheel arches and flares, spoiler, large glass area tapering to the tail, a liftback that rakes forward into the roofline . . .
Talk about the herd instinct. There seem to be very few stylists out there with a grain of originality.
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I'm suprised to hear any negative comments about this car. 
I think it looks great! It's going to destroy the competition (In base form too.).
The auto press is already calling it a breakthrough in it's class. It's filling a small "car" position but is nothing like any of it's competitors - Focus, Civic, Cobalt, Corolla...
and 300 HP! It's one american car I'd actually buy.
I think it looks great! It's going to destroy the competition (In base form too.).
The auto press is already calling it a breakthrough in it's class. It's filling a small "car" position but is nothing like any of it's competitors - Focus, Civic, Cobalt, Corolla...
and 300 HP! It's one american car I'd actually buy.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by Lexmex
I wish Lexus would have kept that style in the RX330.
It's been three years and I still can't get over the goofy-looking taillights jammed up under the rear glass. The front end of the 330 is nice, but they ran out of good ideas about 12 inches too soon. The Caliber combines the rounded overall shape of the RX 330 with some really odd angles. Trying, I guess, for a look similar to the Cadillac SRX, but without the grace. It does include enough scoops and vents to appeal to the boy racer - I wonder what just a flat hood would cost as an option? Except for a couple extra facets on the rear, it is a near copy of the 330.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Photo courtesy www.automobilemag.com
Only a month after unveiling the regular Caliber, Dodge already is trotting out the SRT version, the Caliber SRT4. The hot hatch features a turbocharged version of Chrysler's new 2.4-liter DOHC four. The engine makes 300 hp (at 6000 rpm) and 260 lb-ft of torque (at 2000-6000 rpm), which it sends through a six-speed manual transmission to the front wheels. The standard Caliber's optional all-wheel drive won't be offered on the SRT4, but the SRT4 does have a limited slip differential and equal-length half shafts. Chrysler claims the 3189-lb SRT4 can blast from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds. The suspension is 1/2-inch lower and also firmer than a standard Caliber's, and the brakes have been upgraded as well. Dodge goes for the tuner car look here with plenty of scoops and spoilers and standard 19-inch wheels. The style carries over to the interior with aggressively bolstered seats with suede inserts, a separate boost gauge, and a leather and faux carbon fiber steering wheel. The Neon SRT4 won its way into enthusiasts hearts with its rawness and performance. The Caliber SRT4 promises greater sophistication and a lot more power. We'll see whether it has the same hypnotic effect when it goes on sale a year from this spring.
- Automobile Magazine
- Automobile Magazine
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mmarshall
Car Chat
28
Nov 22, 2011 08:40 AM
