Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchbacks, Dodge
300HP no more: Official specs for Dodge Caliber SRT-4
Caliberforums.com is dishing the dirt on the new Caliber SRT-4, and they don't seem too pleased. Forum member Ironside happened upon a 2008 model guide while visiting a local Dodge dealer and when he flipped through the book, he spotted the SRT specs and pics. He even photocopied the pages and posted them for proof. Many forum members seem to be let down, as the promised 300 hp is apparently not gonna happen. Here are the posted specs and a few comments:
- 2.4L DOHC 16V Dual VVT 4-cylinder intercooled/turbocharged World Engine with 280hp @ 6000-6400rpm, 260 lb-ft torque @ 200-5600rpm.
- 0-60mph = 6.2 seconds
- 1/4 mile = 14.6 seconds
- Top speed = 157mph
- The SRT-4 will have a choice of two different 19" 5-spoke rims, the painted ones like on current SRT's, and the chrome ones.
- Final colours that are offered are brilliant black, sunburst orange, bright silver and inferno red (So no new colours like we'd hoped for the SRT).
- The front driver seat FOLDS FLAT.
- NO MyGIG.
- ***NEW INTERIOR*** Offered in what they call a "new completely dark slate grey" (huge improvement from the sound of it).
[Source: Caliberforums.com]
The actual numbers aren't necessarily bad, but after what we were promised, these seem a bit soft. There's also the feeling that perhaps 300 hp was more than the Caliber could handle, which doesn't endear it to would-be backyard tuners. Especially when compared to competitors like the Mazdaspeed3 and new WRX, the Caliber seems to do less with more. Even with a horsepower edge, the acceleration, in particular, seems disappointing. We'll have to wait for a full road test to see if these numbers are conservative.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Marc 1:11PM (7/23/2007)
How is this new news? You already reported last month that the Caliber SRT-4 is only going to have 280 horsepower....
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/25/dodge-caliber-srt-4-finally-coming-this-fall/
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Gregg 1:32PM (7/23/2007)
Not enough difference between 280 and 300 hp to have a cow over. I'd be more concerned that a 280 hp small car doesn't do better than 0 - 60 in 6.2 seconds. A 200hp Audi A3 will more or less match that performance.
Don 1:35PM (7/23/2007)
Yeah...what do they want? The front wheels to spin off the car?
Max Merak 3:11PM (7/23/2007)
Road & Track recorded the A3 2.0T hitting sixty in over seven seconds. Car & Driver and MotorWeek had it at six and a half. Considering an A3 will run you thirty grand off-the-lot, you can see a difference. I'm sure the Caliber SRT-4 will hit 60 in six seconds flat or less in order to be competitive. Yeah, it doesn't have 300 ponies--but 280 is pretty good, anyway.
Mattias 1:13PM (7/23/2007)
I do not want to do 160mph in this kind of car. In some kind of 3series BMW it's OK, at least on those "cold war emergency air strips" (2.5 to 4 miles straights in the southern states of Germany).
So you Americans can keep these cars to have fun on the Quartermile.
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Jay 2:40PM (7/23/2007)
Perhaps you wouldn't want to do 160mph in a Focus ST either then? Probably not an Astra OPC/VXR either then?
FThorn 2:54PM (7/23/2007)
Then,you'd really be a crying nancy boy going 115mph in my 4-cyl minivan.
Mr. Oak 1:15PM (7/23/2007)
It's good to see that sanity and common sense prevailed.
But really, who's going to miss the 20 hp difference in a FWD car? Besides the aftermarket and Mopar Performance probably already knows how to get another 40 or so HP out of this mill.
Still think this car should have been named the Gremlin. Looks and character suits that name.
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aman 1:20PM (7/23/2007)
why the hell would the driver's seat fold flat? it's not like you can drive with your face either between your legs, stuffed in the steering wheel, or up your d**k
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Calebe 1:20PM (7/23/2007)
Actually, if the interior is improved I will give it a look. That was the only thing that really turned me off. That sea of light gray tupperware. I don't think they are bad looking cars.
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aman 1:24PM (7/23/2007)
is it just me, or does the Caliber SRT-4 have 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 200 rpm?!
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Calebe 1:27PM (7/23/2007)
lol yeah i think his copier didnt catch the 5. so thats 5200
Nick 1:28PM (7/23/2007)
Since the platform supports AWD, it makes me worry about Chrysler when they can't pony up the cash to beef up the AWD system for this car. AWD is a clear advantage in this segment and definitely what users want.
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1337 5:48PM (7/23/2007)
It's probably cheaper to build a car with 300 hp and a ton of torque steer than to build a car with 200 hp which can hit the pavement via AWD. Sad, but true. Besides, 300 hp sounds more badass in advertising than AWD does, so 16 year olds can talk their parents into buying them one.
TriShield 1:28PM (7/23/2007)
I think it looks cool with what SRT has done with it. Definitely better looking that the Neon SRT-4 it replaces.
Yes, it's disappointing it isn't at 300hp and that it doesn't offer optional AWD. However, 280hp is hardly weak and Chrysler will offer numerous upgrades to make the car potent just like the last SRT.
Looking forward to (well, not really) these revving me at stoplights, buzzing around the freeways, and blowing oil all over drag strips.
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digitator 1:30PM (7/23/2007)
I don't understand why car makers keep overloading vehicles with horsepower & torque, only to mate it to a drivetrain that will never be able to properly handle it without $1000's in mods. FWD: are you kidding me? I can (sort of) understand keeping AWD out of the MazdaSpeed3 (to distance it from the speed 6), but dropping it from the Caliber SRT-4 is just plain stupid. Oh well, back to Subaru for me!
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BigDoggyIIIIIIIIII 1:34PM (7/23/2007)
Definitely not better than the neon SRT4. The caliber is aweful, the interior makes fisher price stuff look luxurious and who really cares if it has 300 or 280hp? Anyone who wants a real 300hp car this size will be looking at the subaru or the evo, not this thing. Its not a bad car, but its just there are a lot better choices out there. Chrlysler seemed to do no work in the refinment department. Too bad, that's all the old neon needed. It had loads of character, too bad they didn't develop out that concept.
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.03 4:44PM (7/23/2007)
Interior ... "NEW"
WRX STi, and EVO...$30,000+
Caliber SRT4...$21,000
hmmm.
Nellydesign 3:17PM (7/23/2007)
I'll agree with all but one of your statements. It IS a bad car. Taking out the 4 banger and CVT may help it but overall it's a terrible ride. I spent time in one over the July 4th week and was seriously dismayed at the overall lack of quality feel in every aspect. Closing the doors sounded like slamming the door of a 50 year old refrigerator. And the CVT made the gutless engine a buzzy, annoying counterpoint to any drive. So I know that's mostly drivetrain stuff, but in my opinion, putting a 280 hp anything in this car is akin to putting a new heart into the chest of a 102 year old man.
And it sounds like the "new" interior is just a new color with some different trim. It's still the same tupperware. With the "chill zone" door that never opens all the way. What a pile.
Aaron 1:35PM (7/23/2007)
The caliber srt4 will be priced reasonably and any moron not understanding that low volume beefed up AWD drivelines cost potentially more money than they are worth need to go back to school.
The driveline in the SRT4 was plenty stout. We have several low 11 second ones on stock longblocks, with the only drivetrain mods being a new clutch. The half shafts and transmission were plenty strong.
As for the torque levels and RPM, I would think at or near full torque by 2500 rpms at full throttle will be what you're looking at (like the old srt4s). Mine was 234 whp and 260wtq on the stock dyno.
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