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Dodge Caliber
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The thing about the VW/Audi Direct Shift Gearbox is that due to its complicated dual-clutch design, the unit is quite expensive--the option costs nearly US$1,500 on the Audi A3. :surprise:
Posted Feb 7, 2006, 8:35 PM by Editor
Category: Chicago Auto Show
Just a month after the Dodge Caliber wowed the auto show crowd in Detroit, a high-performance version of the replacement for the Dodge Neon makes its debut at the Chicago Auto Show--the Dodge Caliber SRT4.
SRT4 project team leader John Cathcart discusses just how powerful this souped-up version of the Caliber is and how it got there. Excerpts from his interview are below.
What turns a Dodge Caliber into a Dodge Caliber SRT4?
"The first thing is horsepower. It all starts with the engine. We'll be upping the output to 300 horsepower, 260 footpounds of torque. That's always the prime ingredient of an SRT vehicle. It has to go fast. We of course, balance the approach. It has to go fast, stop fast, turn well, and turn heads. So we take that approach to all areas of the car. We're putting an enhanced braking system on the car as well. We always look for parts we can use from the corporate parts bin. SRT is a small organization. We are investment constrained typically as well as always after offering the best price possible to the consumer as well. The brakes, for example, we took from the Chrysler 300C. We take brakes from a 5,000 pound car and put them on a 3,000 pound car and the car stops real well. We've got performance acceleration, performance braking, now we also want the car to also turn well. So we need to have a little lower suspension. We were able to lower suspension by a half-inch on the car. We will retune the shocks and sway bars as well. But the prime ingredient of the car's handling ability will be the lower CG (center of gravity).
Tires are also very carefully selected for an SRT product. We do have a couple of good tire offerings: an all-season tire and then a higher performance three-season tire. All are capable of the 150 mph top speed of the car.
We have an extensive appearance treatment for this car. A new hood, a new fascia. Actually the cut line between the hood and the fascia had to change for the SRT4 in order to package the intercooler. We do bring the body sides down a little bit for better aerodynamics with lower side skirts, and a different rear fascia as well which offers diffuser veins for increased rear down force and better directional stability, better yaw stability in high speeds.
We think we accomplished all the primary functions of the SRT vehicle with the Caliber SRT4 as well."
How was the World Engine altered?
"The World Engine does offer a pretty good platform for the customization SRT did to the engine. Similar to the Neon SRT4, we start out by turbocharging the engine. We crank up the cylinder pressures, put a turbo on, make sure we're providing a lot of fresh air into the turbocharger inlet, thus we have a reduced restriction inlet system, and then good cold air at pressure to the cylinders via the turbocharger and the intercooler system. That's really the heart of what makes the Caliber SRT4 an SRT from an engine standpoint."
Bigger brakes:
"The brakes are a Bosch system brake, as for the Chrysler 300C. The rotor diameter is 13 and change on the front. The pistons I believe are 58 mm. pistons on the front calipers."
2007 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Wheel:
Transmission choices:
"The Caliber SRT4 has a unique transmission developed specifically for that vehicle. Six-speed manual is only available in the SRT4 version of the Caliber. The vehicle performance is so tuned around the manual transmission and the gearing and top speed capabilities of that transmission, we really can't offer a different trans in the car and still maintain the level of SRT performance."
2007 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 Rear Wing:
Appearance features:
"Seating is another SRT core element. We have a car capable of high lateral G loadings, stopping, accelerating quick. We need to make sure the driver and front seat passenger are held in place. We have very aggressive thigh and torso bolster and non-slip suede surface area seating. We have a seat that will cradle the occupant, hold them for aggressive driving maneuvers, and also provide a fair level of support at all times. Beyond the seats we do have a unique color scheme for the carpet and the interior trim. It darkens it up a little bit to give it a more performance look. Also, we have an IP that's unique in that we've got a boost gauge that's integrated with the IP. It's not integrated into the dials, it's actually separate were a cubbie bin would be on the left side of the driver. We have added in that spot a uniquely tooled boost gauge so you're able to see what the engine output is or the boost output is.
The seats will have an embroidered logo in the seat back.
Why is the Caliber appropriate for an SRT version?
"The Caliber was a great choice for SRT. It's important to have an entry level vehicle in SRT and maintaining the Caliber's starting price on par with where Neon's was is an important aspect of keeping our brand alive and keeping that end of our brand alive."
Still, I think some manufacturers are losing all sense of perspective on price.
If Caliber reliability is only just above average (and the new Chrysler and Dodges are doing pretty well in that area) there is just no way the A3 is going to give you 12 to 18k more value.
Yeah, I guess the A3 does things a little nicer. But does it do things 10 to 12k nicer?
That is quite an upgrade to spend on a depreciating asset. Personally I do not think the softer plastic and plusher carpet could ever make it worthwhile. Especially when there is just as good a chance - if not better - the A3 will land in the repair shop as the Caliber.
-juice
And it's starts at roughly $21~22,000 for the base model and manual transmission.
(Under the skin of the car... it truly is the A3 with a sport package... or in other words, a $27,000 car being sold for $21~22,000.)
:P
SRT Site
Hatch with 2 doors seems to defeat the practically. But that is just me. I know a lot of people really like the 2 door hatch GTI.
Seems like details are still scarce...
-juice
It does not signify 4WD. The Neon SRT-4 was FWD.
-juice
FWD w/ Torsen LSD.
I can post a more details that is at the Dodge sites. What do you want to know?
I was pretty excited when I was reading about this yesterday. I'll be looking for a new vehicle in 1-2 years and this will definitely be in my top 5 vehicles. If it doesn't have AWD, it will fall out of my top 10.
Obviously, the SRT-4 info is just being released. While I doubt we'll see an AWD variant with this engine in either Caliber/Compass, if the market demands it, DCX will consider.
This gets my attention, even though the Neon-based SRT-4 never really did.
-juice
-juice
AWD - we were wanting to see that in the SRT-4 model, not so much for snow as much as getting 300hp down to the ground effectively.
-juice
What surprised me about this was that I didn't know the Caliber was out yet. It was certainly a Caliber with the name on the back liftgate. It's too bad I don't have a digicam with me, as I would have taken some shots and posted them on this site. Another thing that surprised me was the height of the door glass - it almost reminds me of the Chrysler 300C glass height - somewhat shorter than the norm. Maybe it's just an illusion.
It was not a rental car, as although as stated above, I didn't scrutinize the car, I did do a 360 degree walk around. I found no barcodes on the rear side window or rear window, nor any reference to any rental car agency.
Anyway, I just thought I would mention it on the forum. Probably no big deal, but it was the first one I've ever seen!
One last thought . . . the NADA Convention is currently being held here in Orlando - as with dozens, if not hundreds, of other conventions - and, maybe this is the reason why I saw the Caliber??
Don
I wanted to get a measurement for the width of the load floor and rear opening, but forgot about it. Any one know?
The CVT was a bit different to drive. Out of the parking lot, it appeared to be upshifting, but after 20 mph, the rpm felt like it held steady at about 3000 while the car accelerated from 20 to 70 mph. Then the rpm backed off slightly. :P It would take some getting used to.
I do not know if they can actually sell them yet, I have not heard about the crash test results yet. I said I was interested a 5 speed and the salesman did not try to talk me into buying the CVT. Maybe they just want to keep that one until more come in.
Any ideas on availabilty with 1.8/Manual?
No, I take that into account all the time. Often, aftermarket alloy wheels weigh more than steelies. Tires also make a difference. By browsing tirerack.com , I found out that the stock 15" tires on my Dodge Caravan SE only weigh 23 pounds each, but most of the available replacements weigh 28 pounds. Fortunately one of CR's toprated all season tires only weighs 23 pounds too, so guess which tires I will get when it's time to replace or upgrade?
Dave
A 170+ R/T or 300HP SRT-4 with room for 4 PLUS CARGO, with prices under $20k is a good value.
The Neon's day has passed, the Matrix is flawed, the PT is for ladies only, and the Mazda3 is great, but small back seat, and the MazdaSpeed3 will be eating quite a bit of dust!
I think they hit the market nicely. There just isn't a demand for Domestic economy cars, because the 3, Corolla, Civic, Elantra are just better, or are believed to be better.
DrFill
:P
The completely redesigned Volkswagen GTI has just been released stateside. It's really, really nice... But it's kinda costly.
Still, nice to see them incorporate some surprise features.
-juice
www.dodge.com to build & price.
www.google.com to find reviews so far.
I understand that both the Caliber SRT-4 and the up-coming MazdaSpeed Mazda3 will harness around 300 hp while retaining FWD. If so, how do you think they'll succeed in minimizing the torque steer that normally impairs the handling of high-powered FWD vehicles? What causes torque steer anyway? I remember from my biking days that something like torque steer occured in motorcycles (like the "boxer" BMWs) when the crankshaft/flywheel was positioned vertically in relation to the direction of travel (sharp acceleration would then cause the bike to pull --rotationally-- to the right, requiring some compensation by the rider(s)). Just what adjustments or configurations could counteract such tendencies --based on the laws of physics-- I have no idea. Apparently
DCX and Mazda think it's doable. Can anyone out there explain how?
Anyway, Torsion limited slip diff and equal length half shafts in the SRT-4 will help. Otherwise, wheel spin will also defer torque steer. Sorry, I don't know much aboutthe physics of it, though.
This asymmetrical powertrain layout can cause the steering to "tug" to one side when you are accelerating, even while going in a straight line.
I don't know enough about the Caliber to tell you if the half shafts are of equal length (aaron seems to think they are), but the powertrain is still not totally symmetrical. Basically one path is more direct than the other, left or right.
The limited-slip helps here, becaues it limits the difference from side-to-side.
MazdaSpeed3 is supposed to get 244hp, I heard.
-juice
"Torque is sent to the Dodge Caliber SRT4’s wheels through equal-length halfshafts sourced from Chrysler Group mid-size cars for their larger size and power-handling capability."