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Spy Shots: Dodge Avenger R/T
by Damon Lavrinc on Dec 13th 2006 at 7:00PM 
Well looky, looky. A few days after shots of a preproduction Dodge Avenger base model hit the web, our good buddy Ray Wert III over at Jalopnik runs across what appears to be an R/T version on a Michigan highway. We stand by our claim that the Avenger looks much better wearing the trimmings of a performance model than it does in the plain duds of a base model. Not much is known about the mechanicals that will be found in the R/T, but for what it's worth, the Sebring, which shares the same platform, employs Chrysler's 3.5-liter V6 producing 235 hp as its top-end powerplant. Whatever powerplant is under the hood of that black Avenger, apparently it wasn't powerful enough to pull away from the all-seeing eye of Wert's camera phone.[Source: Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bruce Lee 7:57PM (12/13/2006)
Not a bad looking car, hopefully there will be HP under the hood, 235's ok but 250 to 275 would be better.
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SRT-8 8:02PM (12/13/2006)
IF IT HAS THE SAME 3.5L V6 AS THE LTD SEBRING THEY BETTER HAVE MORE HORSE POWER UNDER THAT HOOD ON THE AVENGER!?!?!?!?
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Dave 4:46PM (12/16/2006)
if they put that 300hp turbo from the Caliber I'll test drive it. Otherwise, there are far nicer sedan options.
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jon 9:19PM (12/13/2006)
What I dont understand is why they dont put in the 300hp srt-4 engine. Its in a FWD platform. Call it the srt-4 for grown ups and dont make it look like a smooshed station wagon.
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MikeW 10:34PM (12/13/2006)
The SRT-4 Caliber basically runs without a muffler and still has some turbo lag.
So put a pair of mufflers, and a smaller turbine inlet ala Cx-7 vs. mazdaspeed3 for reduced latency.
270hp would be plenty.
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PJ 10:55PM (12/13/2006)
Performance isn't likely to be part of this vehicle's mission. It takes the place of the Stratus, and DCX's long-running game plan for that vehicle was to wrap a budget-engineered, budget-priced also-ran in a sleek, shiny body. That seemed to provide all the "sport" the target market needed.
Anyway, chances are the vast majority of Avengers will be sold with the same mid-spec 2.7-liter, 190 hp V6 as the Sebring. FWIW, even the 3.5 is significantly weaker than the best V6s in this class (the Accord's, Altima's, Camry's, and Aura XR's).
Having sampled the Sebring recently, I really wish DCX would aim higher in this market segment. They're still intentionally creating "high-value" alternatives to the best in class, and counting on their fan base not to call out their fakey-doo "sport" and "luxury" pitches.
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bruddahmanmatt 12:29AM (12/14/2006)
I can't wait until SEMA where you know some ballsy ass nutcase tuner will go and convert one to RWD and shove a 6.1L Hemi under the hood.
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Andy 1:04AM (12/14/2006)
The Avenger doesn't look bad, but it doesn't look like a FWD car. Make it a 300 hp AWD sport coupe and you'll have a potential winner.
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dakota 2:51AM (12/14/2006)
The SRT-4 Powertrain isn't too far off, it's been rumored for quite sometime.
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M. 3:21AM (12/14/2006)
I am a bit disappointed about the Diesel. Just the Volkswagen Pumpe-Duese with 140hp will be available. I do not like these noisy engines. I want a 3.0l V6 common rail unit. DCX' Diesel supplier VM even has a V6 that can be mounted transversally and is available in some Hyundai SUVs, but no one knows why they do not put this engine in the Avenger...
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aaron 11:53AM (12/14/2006)
mike w.. who is the genius that told you the srt4 will have turbo lag? with the same or similar td04 it should have inconsquential turbo lag. I owned a neone srt4 and ahave driven several mazda turbos and they do not offer less lag. Look at any srt4 dyno to see what rpm it spools up at. Anyone who consrues it as lag is misguided or hasn't driven a vehicle with a massive turbo so as to know what lag really is...
as for this car, it isn't perfect, but it looks pretty nice and should be appointed well for the money. they need to fast track their new v6s. I'd love to see an avenger srt4 as well.
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MikeW 11:41PM (12/14/2006)
Okay not exactly turbo lag, but torque lag. Peak torque is claimed 2000-6000
Since the engine doesn't have direct injection, and 93 AKI is specified, and if you can only get 91AKI that could be a problem.
There is the responsiveness of the camshaft phasers, the electronic throttle, and then the turbocharger itself.
270hp & 250ft-lbs would be a nice R/T, unless DCX is going to put the 4.0V6 instead.
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ebm14 9:31PM (12/15/2006)
Write # 7, I agree 100%
AWD is awesome and fun yr round.
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StratusR/T (w5spdMTX) 6:52PM (3/29/2007)
I'm waiting for the "dodge" guys to finish up their meds...
Drop in the 300HP (srt4 package) offer a 5 or 6 speed MTX and WITH AWD.
The hp to weight ratio will be amazing...
what do you think :)
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