Dodge Caliber: Autoblog First Look
You're looking at the Dodge Caliber concept. This is the Neon replacement everyone has been going crazy over. It looks very similar in most respects to the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. But it still has that Dodge face. Strangely enough this workhorse for the line-up will debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Well we can't really blame anyone for its absence from Chicago can we? No we mean it. Who can we blame?
We'll get over it. Click below for more pictures.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
fleecy 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Looks better than a Matrix/Vibe, that's for sure!
I still prefer my Mazda3, though.
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The Bishop 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Toyota, Honda, Nissan...you're fired, you're freakin' fired.
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nezromatron 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Ugh.. Another sedan/wagon/crossover... Why won't they build that Razor sportscar they showed a couple years back..
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Seth L 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I like the profile, but the chunkiness of the rear doesn't work for me. I'm also dissapointed to see the Magnum Grill here instead of the Charger's, but I can see Dodge wanting to keep it somewhat unique.
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Whydrive 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
For some reason, the pictures remind me of a Malibu Maxx. Anyone know if the trucker grill is going to be on all Dodge vehicles now? I wonder what the Cd is. The redeeming feature of this car are the wheels (the size). The wheels make it look like a mini-SUV from the side. What are the dimensions for this? Is it going to be larger than the Vibe/Matrix?
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Chris 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Front 3/4 and profile do look pretty good. I dunno about that rear end though. Pretty blocky or chunky like Seth said.
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Quito 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Looks very high quality. Seems to be a very competitive offering right smack dab in the middle of the hot compact market. I'm lookn forward to seein the inside, the sedan and the SRT-4 version. Looks worlds more durable than the outgoing Neon.
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Glenn Laycock 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
They will sell like crazy. I have enjoyed both my Neons, but you really feel that people in SUV think they are better (and their lives worth more). The silly North American market demands they go this way. I bet it will have stunning quality, and lots of cool practical features. It could be a step up in winter to the old Neon's too.
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doug hetrick 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
From the front 1/4 it does have that PT cruiser / durango fat fender kinda look. Side is more the vibe/matrix. I still think the SRT-4 & neons is better looking. But this will have better interior room. Expecially head room for the back passenger. As for a better sports car. The neon I think is the better car. Sleeker. Probably less weight too.
As to say that it will outsell the neon. Who knows. One nicer thing is it will have a 2.4L compaired to a 1.8L turbo. Then a 2.0L for the lower priced version.
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Sid Ghosh 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I think it looks hot. If it goes into production looking like that (along with the Nitro Concept), Dodge is gonna make many people happy.
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Eric 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
two years ago I would never had even considered Dodge when looking for a new car. Next year they will be my fist stop. They are making some unique cars that stand out in a vinilla world.
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TC 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Sure it's nice and unique, but just because none of us have seen it before. How long before this becomes the staple vehicle of the rental fleets?
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Sean 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
The Dodge Caliber is Dodge's primary vehicle to re-introduce the Dodge name brand to international markets. Wih this vehicle, Dodge is attempting to market this vehicle to Europe where 5-doors (hatchback's) are very popular. There will be a sedan version and also a small SUV based on this.
With the photo's listed, you'll see that this is the European spec model (side turn signals and see through head restraints). Actually I'd like to see this model for all markets. I believe that these enhancements add to greater safety for occupants.
The wheelbase will be in the 104-105 inch size. This does make the car larger than the Mazda 3 and Vibe/Matrix.
For North America, the engines will be the global 2.0, 2.4 and 2.4 turbo. For international markets, there will be a 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4. Probably no turbo.
Inside looks very large. With the optional front-passenger folding seat, there will be a lot of room to carry large and long items.
You'll also notice that the rear door glass has segmented panels. This probably means that the rear door glass will lower completely. This is a first for a Chrysler/Dodge c-segment car. The glass will be power operated.
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Autovida - Everything Automobiles 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Wow..I'm really impressed by all the vehicles that DC is bringing to the market these days. I think GM should take a page from their playbook, and produce good looking, stylish cars like this one.
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jen 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
mmm.... the big dodge truck-face doesn't work very well on a small car... and yes, the ass-end is fugly.
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Bob Davidson 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I thought by this stage, all Chrysler products would look more like Mercedes, and to some degree that has already happened with cars like Crossfire and the new 300, but the Caliber reiterates that box is a box is a box.
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mickster 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
It looks like a baby Magnum...or like a Viper mated with a Lexus RX-330...
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Bill 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Looks like a Durango Shrinky-Dink
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cFoo 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
What is wrong with American designers? While the rest of the world pump out great looking cars, we get "cars" that looks like truck!
YIKE!
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Zeke 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Dodge is smart for securing their place in the marketplace as the maker of square-shouldered and truckish vehicles. From the Viper's pushrod 10 to this box, its a very strong brand statement.
That said, Its not quite the homerun I hoped it would have been. A tail that was more vertical in profile but wrapped the rear corner of the car in plan (birds-eye) view would've clinched the deal.
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