Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
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Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
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http://www.autodeadline.com/detail?s...59672&mime=JPG
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http://www.autoweek.com/files/specia...er/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.
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.
http://www.autodeadline.com/detail?s...59672&mime=JPG
http://www.autodeadline.com/detail?s...59323&mime=JPG
Last edited by jrp4uc; Feb 11, 2005 at 11:03 AM.
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From: Albany, NY
Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by falchulk
Pay back for the HHR is a bitch huh?
I assume this is the new Neon
I think it looks good, I see Vibe in the back end.
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Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by Z28x
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
I think it looks good, I see Vibe in the back end.
I assume this is the new Neon
I think it looks good, I see Vibe in the back end.
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Posts: 1,479
Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
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.
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.
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Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by poSSum
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.
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.
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From: Albany, NY
Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by falchulk
The vibe is not that underpowerd, especially the GT version. Even the base version is more then adequate for a family/commuter car.
GT has only 127 lb-ft of torque at a high rpm of 4400
and it requires premium fuel 
at 2.4L Ecotec could put out 170tq on regular 87 octane and would be a much better engine choice.
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From: Chattanoga & Franklin
Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
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. 
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.
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.
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Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by Z28x
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 and it requires premium fuel at 2.4L Ecotec could put out 170tq on regular 87 octane and would be a much better engine choice.
GT has only 127 lb-ft of torque at a high rpm of 4400
and it requires premium fuel at 2.4L Ecotec could put out 170tq on regular 87 octane and would be a much better engine choice.
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Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by AronZ28
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.
And yes payback does suck.
And yes payback does suck.
Anyway, back the the new Dodge.....
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Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
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.
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.
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Re: Dodge Vibe, err Caliber
Originally Posted by redzed
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.....
Anyway, back the the new Dodge.....