Dodge Vibe, err Caliber

Pics:
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/galleries/dodge_caliber/pages/1.htm


Dodge has world in its sights with Caliber concept

Dodge’s designers were told to think global when penning the Caliber concept for the Geneva show. The sport-themed, five-door hatchback hints strongly at Chrysler’s future plans for a Dodge-branded C-segment vehicle, one of the most popular configurations outside of the U.S. market. The automaker is hoping Caliber’s aggressive appearance will help it stand out from the C-crowd and appeal to car buyers the world over.

Plenty of Dodge DNA is evident in Caliber’s design, most notably the brand’s signature crosshair grille. Wide, sculpted wheel arches, 19-inch wheels and tires and a pronounced hood lend the vehicle a powerful stance. Chrome door handles and body-side moldings accent Caliber's Sunburst Orange exterior.

“With its bold styling and clever packaging, Caliber is pure Dodge,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President—Design, Chrysler Group. “This concept is a new slant on one of the world’s most competitive segments. The Dodge Caliber concept brings emotion to the C-segment sea of sameness and strongly hints at the future direction of Dodge in the global car market.”

Chrysler says Dodge will begin selling vehicles in European volume segments in 2006. Something akin to the Caliber will likely lead the charge.


See also:
http://www.autodeadline.com/detail?source=&mid=WKA2004073059672&mime=JPG
http://www.autodeadline.com/detail?source=&mid=WKA2005020259323&mime=JPG

Ya, it's hard to say that that car does not have a strong visual ties to the Pontiac Vibe....

Pay back for the HHR is a bitch huh?

Pay back for the HHR is a bitch huh?

:lol:

Good point!

Pay back for the HHR is a bitch huh?

Maybe DCX feels that the PT styling is played out and people will go for this over the HHR

I assume this is the new Neon :confused:

I think it looks good, I see Vibe in the back end.

Maybe DCX feels that the PT styling is played out and people will go for this over the HHR

I assume this is the new Neon :confused:

I think it looks good, I see Vibe in the back end.

I own a vibe and I see it everywhere except the grill!

The Vibe/Matrix "twins" are high on our list for my wifes next car.

Adult headroom in the rear, something none of the compact sedans we've looked at really have. One motion ...leave the headrests on... fold flat rear seats, something that we found to be very rare, in hatches, wagons & SUV's. Available AWD. Great fuel mileage. The only negatives from our perspective are: they are underpowered by today's standards; the hard plastic cargo floor and rear seatback; the Vibe doesn't come without a roof rack; the Matrix sunroof comes in a package that includes ground effects; no manual transmission with the AWD.

I think there's lots of room for Dodge to up the ante in that segment.

The Vibe/Matrix "twins" are high on our list for my wifes next car.

Adult headroom in the rear, something none of the compact sedans we've looked at really have. One motion ...leave the headrests on... fold flat rear seats, something that we found to be very rare, in hatches, wagons & SUV's. Available AWD. Great fuel mileage. The only negatives from our perspective are: they are underpowered by today's standards; the hard plastic cargo floor and rear seatback; the Vibe doesn't come without a roof rack; the Matrix sunroof comes in a package that includes ground effects; no manual transmission with the AWD.

I think there's lots of room for Dodge to up the ante in that segment.

The vibe is my wifes car but we commute 30 miles each way. The car gets between 30 to 35 mpg. Why would you want it without the roof rack? It changes the lines of the car in a good way. The matrix looks odd without it. The vibe is not that underpowerd, especially the GT version. Even the base version is more then adequate for a family/commuter car.

Why does Dodge feel the need to affix that nasty ass truck grill on every vehicle? That is hideous.... :barf:

The vibe is not that underpowerd, especially the GT version. Even the base version is more then adequate for a family/commuter car.

AWD has 123HP @ 6000 rpm, 118 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm That is very week by todays standards

GT has only 127 lb-ft of torque at a high rpm of 4400 :alert: and it requires premium fuel :eek: at 2.4L Ecotec could put out 170tq on regular 87 octane and would be a much better engine choice.

I didn't think this day would ever come, when a GM 4 banger seems like a much more appealing choice than the Toyota offering. Too bad they don't offer the Ecotec. Or what would be really cool is if the offered the blown Ecotec. :D

And yes payback does suck.

The truck grill on cars still has me divided. It looks good on the Magnum and Caliber, but looks like crap on the Charger, Durango, and Dakota.

AWD has 123HP @ 6000 rpm, 118 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm That is very week by todays standards

GT has only 127 lb-ft of torque at a high rpm of 4400 :alert: and it requires premium fuel :eek: at 2.4L Ecotec could put out 170tq on regular 87 octane and would be a much better engine choice.

The gearing makes it feel much better then the numbers state. I am not saying its fast by any means. I am saying that it serves its purpose for what it is and still feels somewhat sporty. The handleing is damn good.

I didn't think this day would ever come, when a GM 4 banger seems like a much more appealing choice than the Toyota offering. Too bad they don't offer the Ecotec. Or what would be really cool is if the offered the blown Ecotec. :D

And yes payback does suck.



I'd say that Toyota made a mistake by not offering something more sustantial than 1.8 liter in the Matrix/Vibe. I feel the same way about the puny 1.5 liter Scion xA/xB. Ideally, the Matrix should have the same 2.4 liter as the RAV4 as standard equipment and the little Scions boxes should get the 1.8 liter. Of course, I'd also say that GM is making a mistake by launching the Chevrolet HHR with only normally aspirated Ecotec 4-bangers.

Anyway, back the the new Dodge.....

1. The Dodge Caliber is the replacement for the Neon sedan, not a rebadged-next-generation Chrysler PT.

2. DCX is making the right move in launching a high profit margin crossover instead of a sedan. GM should have to done the same thing by making the HHR a higher priority over the Cobalt.

I'd say that Toyota made a mistake by not offering something more sustantial than 1.8 liter in the Matrix/Vibe. I feel the same way about the puny 1.5 liter Scion xA/xB. Ideally, the Matrix should have the same 2.4 liter as the RAV4 as standard equipment and the little Scions boxes should get the 1.8 liter. Of course, I'd also say that GM is making a mistake by launching the Chevrolet HHR with only normally aspirated Ecotec 4-bangers.

Anyway, back the the new Dodge.....

The curb weight on a vibe is in the 2700lb range. The GT's can hit 60 in about 7 seconds. Thats not bad at all. I will admit that the GT's suffer from the same problem as the Honda s2000, they need to have the crapped revved out of them. Like I said, take one of these cars for a test drive and you will be suprised at how quick you stop thinking about power. Even the non awd Vibes do fantastic in the snow as well. Its been a great car so far with 2 years and 36k on it. I do want to say that I would not own this car if the gas milage was not so great and my wife did not like the styling. It looks mainstream to me now but when I bought it, it looked like an alien spaceship. Its amazing how the styling grows on you after a while.

The gearing makes it feel much better then the numbers state. I am not saying its fast by any means. I am saying that it serves its purpose for what it is and still feels somewhat sporty. The handleing is damn good.

Yeah, I agree. My wife has a Vibe too. It's not fast, but it's adequate power-wise and fun to drive, gets good mileage and the car seat is easy to get in and out of it.

That looks very nice in my opinion, actually…it looks great! DCX just needs to affix a smaller grill in place of the current one on that concept and I think I found my next car. I need something that is versatile :thumb:

Why would you want it without the roof rack? It changes the lines of the car in a good way.

Unless a vehicle also has tie-off points front and rear so that I can carry a canoe I don't want a roof rack. They can be noisy and make it harder to wash, dry and clear snow from the roof. The mounting points like to hold water, and I suspect it's a great place for corrosion to start. As a styling element, I think they should be optional.

Our dislike list on the other vehicles we're considering is just as long, or longer than the Vibe/Matrix list.

Unless a vehicle also has tie-off points front and rear so that I can carry a canoe I don't want a roof rack. They can be noisy and make it harder to wash, dry and clear snow from the roof. The mounting points like to hold water, and I suspect it's a great place for corrosion to start. As a styling element, I think they should be optional.

Our dislike list on the other vehicles we're considering is just as long, or longer than the Vibe/Matrix list.

This is our 3rd winter with a vibe. We bought the car 2 days before the last big snow storm that dumped 36 inches on the mid atlantic. Its never been a problem to clean off and there is no sign of it holding water. I have had many vehicles including suvs with roof racks and had no problems like you describe at all. Thats what the roof channels are for. If you dont like the styling, its possible to remove them. Some people just like to remove the crossbars. To me the car does not look right without them. The Matrix roofline is cartoonish.

Some people just like to remove the crossbars. To me the car does not look right without them. The Matrix roofline is cartoonish.

The 2005 Vibe no longer comes standard with the crossbars (I know, makes it much less of a roof rack, don't it), nor the power socket in the console. Cost cutting I guess.