Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Gadgets, SUVs
Dodge sparks 2007 Nitro in advance of Chicago debut
Dodge has pulled the virtual sheet on its Nitro mid-size SUV in advance of its Chicago debut later this week. Based on the Jeep Liberty's underpinnings, the baby brawler will slot into the lineup betwixt the halfie Caliber and voluminous Durango.
Out of the box, the Nitro will come standard with a 3.7L, 210-horsepower V6, the same engine shared with its Liberty platform-mate. Unlike the Jeep, however, the Nitro will have an available 4.0L 255-horse V6 in R/T trim (pictured). Poverty-spec Nitros will come with a six-speed manual cogswapper, though a four-speed auto will be on offer. On the upmarket SLT, the latter is the sole transmission available. Those plumping for the big-daddy R/T will have to slake themselves with go and stop pedals-- a five-speed automatic is the only gearbox extant. Nitros will be available in 4x2 and 4x4 trim.
(More details including 12 photos inside-and-out after the jump!)
Features for the Toledo-assembled SUV are to include a raft of safety equipment, including stability control, side-curtain 'bags and anti-lock brakes. The Nitro's favorite party trick is sure to be the "Load 'n Go" moving cargo floor, which slides 18" to aid in loading and unloading. With a max load of 400 lbs., it could make for a fun tailgating proposition as well. When properly set up, the Nitro will tow up to 5,000 lbs., to boot.
Options will include 20" wheels, rear-seat DVD, remote start, a DVD-based sat-nav system with live traffic update, U-Connect (Dodge-speak for Bluetooth) and Sirius satellite radio.
No word on pricing yet, but the least expensive Jeep Liberty stickers at just over $21k.
[Source: AP via Chicago Sun-Times and DaimlerChrysler]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DuckFat 8:09AM (2/06/2006)
Any word on the towing capacity with the 4.0? The 3.7 should do about 5000 lbs as it does in the Liberty.
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Proud Japanese 8:13AM (2/06/2006)
210hp from 3.7L and 255hp from 4L. Urgh... Can you even get more pathetic than that? We get similat results from half the displacement. I guess in American case it's true that there is no replacement for displacement, only because they don't know how to use it efficiently.
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MattB 8:21AM (2/06/2006)
Hmm... I rather like this. I mean there's a Liberty underneath there but they did a great job making it a Dodge.
I'm not a big fan of the blocky interior but the styling on the car itself beats the Liberty by a mile.
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JZeke 8:40AM (2/06/2006)
I agree with the interior comments, it is too blocky. But this looks great! I dont think theres another 4 door SUV-let out there id seriously consider buying. Rav4 is too soft, Liberty too cute, H3 too dumb, Acura RDX too bland... this is just right!
So this is what happened to the good-ole Cherokee... CDi please? That or SRT6 (economy or performance, just no middler)
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whofan 8:45AM (2/06/2006)
The Jeep Cherokee lives! Should of kept the Jeep front end.
What`s pathetic about 255hp from a v6?
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Jeff the Baptist 8:50AM (2/06/2006)
"We get simila(r) results from half the displacement."
Yes but you don't make any torque when you do it. If you are actually going to drive off road (or pull anything), then low end torque is really nice to have.
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Gil 9:02AM (2/06/2006)
Jeff: Oh you mean like diesel engines that are common in Europe? ;)
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Steve 9:06AM (2/06/2006)
Oh look, an Isuzu Trooper with flared wheel wells.
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Jon 9:20AM (2/06/2006)
I know the truck is boxy, but why does Dodge have to design an interior that looks like it was made from cardboard. It is possible to design a blocky interior that has appeal. The new B-Class Mercedes, available in other parts of the world, is a perfect example. Dodge ruined a great exterior with a cheap looking interior.
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Doogs 9:22AM (2/06/2006)
"210hp from 3.7L and 255hp from 4L. Urgh... Can you even get more pathetic than that?"
Nissan Xterra - 4.0L V6 - 265hp
Toyota Tacoma - 4.0L V6 - 236hp
255hp from a 4L six seems somewhere around par for the course, actually.
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Jon 9:31AM (2/06/2006)
I know the truck is boxy, but why does Dodge have to design an interior that looks like it was made from cardboard. It is possible to design a blocky interior that has appeal. The new B-Class Mercedes available in other parts of the world is a perfect example. Dodge ruined a great exterior with a cheap looking interior.
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CJ 9:38AM (2/06/2006)
I would favor this over the Jeep for a couple reasons.... I don't go offroad and the larger storage area (it looks larger anyways).
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GrowUp 9:45AM (2/06/2006)
#2 has never towed anything significant, I presume, or he'd understand why a truck's displacement is more important than the horsepower rating.
Seen an Altima pulling 5,000 lbs. lately there, bucko?
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skeptic 9:51AM (2/06/2006)
It is on display at the Philly Auto Show already!
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Z-Man 9:57AM (2/06/2006)
That crack about horsepower and displacement from Proud Japanese is interesting. Does he compare the engines used in Japanese truck based SUVs (i.e Fourunner, XTerra) or the car-based (i.e. Highlander). I sure don't want to need 7200 RPM for my max torque!
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emulous1974 10:22AM (2/06/2006)
It definetely looks more butch than a Liberty and the interior configuration/packaging looks more versatile. I think this will sell more than the Liberty.
I'm sure the less displacement theory works out that Subaru's turbo'd 2.5 in max form in the U.S. puts out 300HP and 300lbs of torque, while getting somewhat decent gas mileage. We haven't seen any turbo trucks (the last I can think of is GMC Cyclone/Typhoon/ SVT Lighting was supercharged) unless it's a diesel. I don't know much about engines, but I'm guessing the higher heat that a turbo creates and the heat/stress that towing causes is the reason turbo engines are not popular in trucks.
Speaking of which Chrysler does definetely need to put a diesel in this thing too.
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Chris 10:23AM (2/06/2006)
Every American 'truck' should be a diesel then, like the rest of the world. And damn this thing is hideous.
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JWhite 10:59AM (2/06/2006)
#13, though they look similar that is the "concept" version which has been shown since it's Chicago introduction last year. The production version will be officially shown Wed. in Chicago. The main differnces are in the grill/headlight combo (now all chrome or all body color where it was half and half on the concept) and some minor interior changes. All in all very close to the concept.
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naggs 6:00PM (2/06/2006)
hey #2, Proud Jap, you call 255hp from 4 liters pathetic yet the 4 liter Tacoma only makes 245 hp with less tq, your an idiot.
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DZ 7:00PM (2/06/2006)
Hideous looking bucket of shiat if i ever saw one. No wonder domestic auto makers are going down the toilet. They expect us to buy this crap.
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