A more refined Dodge Caliber has arrived in New Zealand as Chrysler continues its programme of model revitalisation at a heady pace.
The revised Dodge Caliber comes hard on the heels of upgrades to the Dodge Journey 7-seater crossover, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Patriot in recent months.
As with those other models, the focus of attention in the 2010 Dodge Caliber has been a makeover for the passenger cabin, which is now more stylish, luxurious and comfortable.
This has been achieved through new seating, which features high quality stain-proof, odour-proof and anti-static velour in two different colour schemes - red accents around the centre instrument cluster and red stitching on the seats, or blue accents and blue stitching, depending on the exterior colour of the car.
Also new is a leather sports steering wheel, centre console and new sports-style instruments that are both stylish and easier to read.
The dashboard now features a useful storage bin with a sprung lid and the materials used on the top of the dash have a textured surface that delivers a high quality feel. New padded, soft-touch door panels and arm rests further improve the feel of comfort and quality.
"The passenger cabin has undergone a complete transformation – buyers will be very impressed with the classy and comfortable environment," says Todd Groves, Chrysler Divisional Manager for Sime Darby Automobiles NZ.
The exterior of the Dodge Caliber retains the SUV-cum-hatchback crossover styling that makes this car stand out on the road and appear larger than its competitors.
The appearance is lifted even further by a smart chrome strip along the lower doors and the fitting of 18-inch, multi-spoke, polished alloy wheels as standard.
The Dodge Caliber range has been rationalized to a single model, a 2-litre SXT featuring the CVT automatic transmission, for just $33,990 – the same price as before.
For that, buyers get a superbly equipped 5-door family-size car, featuring cruise control, air-conditioning, remote central locking with anti-theft and motion car alarm, power windows and power/heated door mirrors and a quality CD/radio audio system with MP3 compatibility. Front driving lights are also standard.
Other innovative features include a refrigerated area in the glovebox to chill four drink cans or bottles; a removable ceiling light that doubles as a handy rechargeable flashlight; rear seats that recline to provide more comfort on long journeys; and LED illuminated cupholders. The drop-down speakers in the tailgate, known as Musicgate, are part of an optional sound upgrade that also includes a six-disc changer.
Safety features that include front airbags, side curtain airbags, a strong safety cell structure and in-door intrusion bars helped the Caliber earn a 5-star front and side crash NHTSA safety rating (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Driver and front passenger seat head restraints and a driver’s knee airbag have been added in the 2010 Caliber.
The DOHC, 16-valve, 2-litre engine delivers 115kW of power and 190Nm of torque, which translates into sparkling performances on the road – more urgent than the previous Caliber.
The latest Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT2) contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6-8% compared with a traditional 4-speed automatic and offers six-speed manual gear selection via a sequential shift. Fuel economy is 8.0L/100km over the combined cycle and an impressive 6.9L/100km on the highway.
