Dodge Caliber Spy Photos

The exterior will mostly reflect the Caliber Concept shown this past March in Geneva with the interior styling remaining the same.  The Caliber is positioned (C-segment) to replace the Dodge Neon in the model lineup.  Other competitors of similar size include the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe.  A sedan version is planned and will be implemented in the same vein the Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum mirror each other.

The engines come from a joint venture with Mitsubishi and Hyundai which include four gasoline engines: 1.8 liter/140hp, 2.0 liter/150hp, 2.4 liter/170 and the 215hp 2.4 liter turbo from the PT Cruiser going into the performance orientated Dodge Caliber SRT seen here in the last four photos on the right side of this page.  European markets get a 2.0 liter turbo diesel making 134hp (100 kW) and peak torque is estimated at 229 ft-lbs. (310 Nm).

In addition, the Caliber will be using the latest generation of continuously variable transmission (CVT2) to improve fuel economy and responsiveness.  The Caliber also gets electronically controlled all-wheel-drive which splits torque front to rear.

The Caliber will be the first Dodge sold in Europe and attempts to take some market share away from the VW Golf with lower prices.  Expect debut of US production version at Detroit 2006 with sales beginning in the summer as a model year 2007.  European launch expected three months later in Geneva.