[jace]

How much does this resemble the Murano?
shockingly similar styling, FWD, CVT...
crappy 4-banger, though

http://www.dodge.com/caliber/vehicle.html

 

[njjoe]

It looks like the Dodge design team exhausted their creative skills on the Magnum, Charger, and Challenger, and simply had nothing left when they started work on this one.

I'd switch it to RWD, lose the CVT and put in a 5 speed, and trash the 4-banger in favor of the HEMI. Now that would be an interesting tire-burner.:5:

-njjoe

 

[Nissmo]

Looks manly but, no balls
173hp

 

[KSmurano]

There is a really good CVT2 moving gif under the performance menu to see shows how the belt & pulleys adjust.
They're calling it a 2nd generation, but don't say what the difference is.

Knowing how performance oriented Dodge has become I would suspect they are getting pretty good numbers on the R/T version with a 2.4 & the CVT2.

 

[Gonzo]

I think it looks more like the Maada with those fenders (Which I love.)

 

[Eric L.]

I don't quite see the resemblance to the Murano. Its more like an upright Magnum wagon, shrunken by 25%.

 

[Sgt_Beavis]

Oh wow, its a two box design. Maybe Nissan will sue them for patent infringement.

Geez, it looks nothing like the MO except being a two box design.

It's not even in the same market class. The Caliber is a compact with a curb weight between 2900 and 3300 lbs, depending on trim and drivetrain. The MO has a curb weight that tops out at almost 4000lbs. It doesn't need 245HP.

CVTs are going to become the norm as we go along. I guess the MO is copying Subaru and Honda (who did CVTs years ago)

How about comparing the MO with a car that is actually in the same class like the upcoming Edge or Buick Enclave (although I think they are significantly larger)

 

[bob1]

Hey folks, remember my thread about me and the wife being paid 100 bucks each to rate their new toy? Looks like that's the baby I saw in downtown Atlanta with all the cloak and dagger stuff. No cameras were allowed and every thing was all behind curtains.
Here is that link from my trip but notice that they told me a 265 HP engine was to be dropped in there. Maybe the gas crunch changed their mind.
http://www.nissanmurano.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4918

 

[Sgt_Beavis]

Hey folks, remember my thread about me and the wife being paid 100 bucks each to rate their new toy? Looks like that's the baby I saw in downtown Atlanta with all the cloak and dagger stuff. No cameras were allowed and every thing was all behind curtains.
Here is that link from my trip but notice that they told me a 265 HP engine was to be dropped in there. Maybe the gas crunch changed their mind.
http://www.nissanmurano.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4918

Well that may still be a possibility. Dodge has already said there will be an SRT-4 version of the Caliber.

However, I personally would never buy one. I've gotten a good look at the interior and it looks cheap. Dodge did come up with some great ideas, like an integrated iPod holder and storage for 20oz bottles in the air conditioned glove box but they used very cheap looking plastics. Still, if it sells for under 14K, as DCX said it would, then it will sell well.

 

[samwlee]

Looks to me like a modified version of the Pacifica...

 

[bob1]

Almost forgot, go to the link that was put on by jace and look at the video on the CVT in action. Oh, so that's what going on in the CVT.
I never had a good visual.
Like jace and nissmo said, too bad they dropped a 4 banger in there. They lost me right there with all show and no go.
Like I said, it was supposed to be a V-6 265HP.
Is it any wonder why these companies don't attract more customers? One day, they will "get it".............maybe.

 

[jaak]

Yeeccchh.. But thats what I say about the Pacifica too.

 

[DavidBW]

Looks like a re-worked Dodge Durango to me

 

[Eric L.]

Not sure if it was posted in this thread yet, but the CVT in the upcoming Caliber will come from Jatco, and will be similar to the one Nissan uses (albeit probably lighter duty than the one in the MO). This article says however, that Dodge will be using its own electronics for the transmission. Hmmmm....Mercedes variable valve timing = good. Mercedes electronics for the CVT = .

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/caliber.html

Oh well hopefully they don't mess the CVT up too much and this vehicle presents the CVT in a more positive image. GM completely botched it with the ZF CVT in the Saturn VUE, which was later dropped due to unreliability. The ZF CVT in the Mini hasn't been trouble free either.

 

[Doombringer]

Take a look at that interior... and some people thought the Murano looked "plasticy"???

The outside ain't too bad, but that interior looks too toy-like.

 

[ekaxel]

" This article says however, that Dodge will be using its own electronics for the transmission"


Boy that's scary considering Chrysler's transmissino reliability record.....

 

[neo]

For 14k seems like a good value. Best I had when I was looking for an entry level many years ago was a Ford Escort or Toyota Tercel. The Caliber is alot better, so is the Mazda 3.

Ah these kids have it so much better today

 

[TOXIC]

No, Dodge Caliber = UGLY

 

[Nissmo]

Today they just anncounced a 300 hp SRT version with 6 speed manual.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/FREE/302080001/1063/AUTOSHOWS

 

[njjoe]

It looks like the Dodge design team exhausted their creative skills on the Magnum, Charger, and Challenger, and simply had nothing left when they started work on this one.

I'd switch it to RWD, lose the CVT and put in a 5 speed, and trash the 4-banger in favor of the HEMI. Now that would be an interesting tire-burner.:5:

-njjoe

Hey!! That was my idea!!! They got rid of the CVT in favor of a manual and trashed the wimpy 4-banger for a... 300 HP 4-banger.
Now if only it was RWD....

-njjoe