Dodge Caliber SRT-4 finally coming this fall
It's taken about a year and a half to get the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 to market, but by September the newest and smallest SRT vehicle will be available for purchase. Chrysler's turbocharged 2.4-liter world engine will still boast a best-in-class 280 HP and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. All that power to the front wheels will be kept under control by an electronically-tuned brake lock differential that controls throttle, spark advance, and boost, while a Getrag six-speed manual transmission will round out the powertrain. To make sure the Caliber SRT-4 holds the same value quotient of the Neon SRT-4, Dodge is working hard to deliver a stripped-down model at just under $20,000.
When we heard that the Caliber would be FWD and have 300 HP, we were skeptical that such a light vehicle would be able to handle that much grunt being sent to the front wheels. 280 HP isn't a drastically lower number, but Dodge engineers are at least trying to keep the prodigious understeer in check. If Dodge can deliver a budget hot rod under $20,000 that boasts 280 useful horsepower and a road-holding suspension (plus those trick 19" SRT wheels), then the Mazdaspeed3 and VW R32 are going to be in for some stiff competition.
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Nellydesign 8:03AM (6/25/2007)
I think I'll still go for the Mazdaspeed if I want a car that doesn't look like crap inside and out.
Reply
Viv 8:23AM (6/25/2007)
Exactly. No way will this junk hold up with the 3. I drove a rental last week and all i can say is yuckkk.
Matt 11:56AM (6/25/2007)
I think it's a good concept, but yeah... the Caliber = as ugly as the devil's face.
Also, we had one as a rental in New Orleans a few years back, the thing has such an icky tranny (and engine) whine to it.
BR 11:36AM (6/26/2007)
I didn't like the speed it felt too strung out and not enough low torque. Plus it's no faster than the old SRT-4.
Brackie 8:42AM (6/25/2007)
This is why a lot off the domestic products have poor quality. A lot of Americans seem to expect something for nothing. You really expect Dodge to sell a car with a 280hp engine for less than $20,000? You do realise that is the equivalent to 10,000 GBP? You should see what 10 grand buys you in the UK and it aint no 280hp hot hatch.
You can't really expect Dodge to have Audi like quality when you expect to buy them for peanuts. Add on the healthcare burden and no wonder the big three are losing money...
Reply
shiznannigan 3:16PM (6/25/2007)
Cars cost more in the UK.
Vauxhall Vectra, 4cyl base: 17,225 GBP
That's $34,422 USD.
Saturn Aura (Vectra clone), *6cyl* base: 20,995 USD.
dE 8:31AM (6/25/2007)
I never thought of the Neon as a nice looking car, but this Caliber makes the Neon look like a supermodel. What the hell was Chrysler thinking?
Reply
jgiraldo 8:45AM (6/25/2007)
Can't wait to test drive this model, already drove the speed3 and gti and so far i like the speed3 better. Under 20grand is nice. But reliability, uh oh. build quality, cheap looking interior. We'll see.
Reply
Rob 9:04AM (6/25/2007)
Seriously ugly
Reply
Allan 9:05AM (6/25/2007)
Had a regular Caliber as a rental last year... one of the worst things I've ever driven. I would not recommend it to anyone. Ever. And the idea of them putting 280hp into it and some 19s... that's just plain laughable... especially when it was just compared to the 3 and the R32! You guys are funny...
Reply
.03 12:02PM (6/25/2007)
If you think all they do is put in a bigger motor and bigger wheels...you're an uninformed import lover, obviously. I don't think it would have taken an extra year and a half to do that. They have totally tweaked the suspension and other parts to make it competitive in the world market. Now...please think before you open your biased mouth.
Nellydesign 9:21AM (6/25/2007)
Cheap interior materials aside, yes I understand the price point of these vehicles, but that's not an excuse for designing the IP to LOOK cheap. Materials are the least of the problems for the Caliber interior. It looks like it was designed by someone with a ruler and no imagination. It looks like it was modeled wholely on the computer by someone with only a rudimentary grasp of how to intersect primitives. There's zero time and zero love exhibited in the surfaces. It's just a nightmare. And its the same on all their interiors, regardless of price point.
Reply
Derek 9:24AM (6/25/2007)
Brackie
When comparing car prices it is almost never follows the currency conversion rate between here and across the pond. For example - a base model Civic sedan starts at around 15K both here AND in the UK.
That said, considering how much they sold the last SRT-4 for, and that didn't have the Speed3 to compete with, they'd better keep it as close to 20K as they possibly can.
Not that it matters to me. The Caliber looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
Reply
Chris 9:27AM (6/25/2007)
Anyone who would compare this thing to the R32 might need something to control the understeer between his ears.
Reply
danms6 9:35AM (6/25/2007)
Agreed. A new R32 in 2004 cost over $29k base.
Chris Shunk 9:46AM (6/25/2007)
If I had the choice of 3 free cars, R32 would be 1, the Mazda3 would be 2, and the Caliber would be a distant 3. If, however, after options the R32 was $35,000, the Mazda3 was $26,000 and the Caliber was $23,000 the R32 would come in 3rd. I feel very strongly that the R32 will be a far superior vehicle, but the price difference is more chasm than anything and it's more than 95% of all 35 and unders will be able to pay.
If $35k wasn't a lot of money for me to spend, I wouldn't pick the R32...ever. I can get a T5 S40 AWD for about $4,000 less after incentives and lower overall price and it looks better IMO. I could also get an 08 CTS in a few months for $35k or a G35. $35k for any compact VW is a very hard pill to swallow. The Caliber will be competition not based on 280hp, but on price and 280hp plus 19's.
Reply
John R 10:02AM (6/25/2007)
I agree. $35K? That's getting on towards Evo/STi money also. As ugly as this Caliber will be, if Chrysler can get it a trim level below $20K chances are one may see alot of them anyway.
gerard Vandenberg 10:02AM (6/25/2007)
That's a piece of junk, MAN! Think it over again please!
WHOAAAA!!!!!
Reply
Ca$h 10:08AM (6/25/2007)
This isn't a hot hatch. The dodge caliber weighs 3300lbs. That is ridiculously heavy, especially considering 1st generation neons weighed around 2400-2500lbs. This thing is a tank, and I'd much rather have a USED SRT4 than this piece of crap.
Reply
Chris P. 11:29AM (6/25/2007)
And the Mazdaspeed3 comes in at 3180lbs, and the R32 comes in at 3547. They're all porky.
And for everyone else, AWD is overrated, they understeer too! Why is there this myth that AWD is God's gift to man? Heck, even an improperly set up RWD car can understeer! Witness, Mustang.