Dodge Bids Farewell to Caliber Crossover and Nitro SUV

The end of 2011 brings about the death of two much-criticized Dodge models, the Caliber crossover and the Nitro SUV, both of which were conceived and developed during the time Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler reigned over the Chrysler Group.

The last examples of the Caliber and Nitro models rolled off Chrysler's Belvidere, Illinois and Toledo North assembly plants respectively this month.

Introduced in 2006, the Caliber was designed to replace the Neon in the same fashion that Nissan tried to win the European C-segment (think VW Golf) with the Qashqai crossover, but without the same success.

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Rumors: Chrysler to Kill Dodge Caliber in Late November

It’s been a bumpy road for the Chrysler Group's Dodge Caliber compact crossover that was introduced in 2006 as a replacement to the Neon, under the supervision of Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler, which then controlled the U.S. automaker.

But the end appears to be near as the usually well informed on Chrysler Group matters Allpar site is reporting that production of the Caliber will end on November 23, 2011, according to "documentation recently sent to dealers".

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Fiat to Introduce Two New Dodge-Based Sedans in China and Russia by 2013

As time goes by, Fiat SpA’s integration with the Chrysler Group LLC deepens and the results become more evident with the two carmakers making several plans for the future. Speaking at Fiat's annual shareholders meeting on March 30, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed plans to launch two new Dodge-based sedans in China and Russia.

The first sedan will be a compact model built on the next generation Dodge Caliber, which is expected in the USA next January. According to an Autonews report, this model will enter production in China in the second half of 2011, while timing for the Russian launch has not yet been disclosed. The other four-door saloon will be a mid-size model based on the replacement for the Dodge Avenger, which is scheduled for launch in the USA in 2013. It will go on sale in China and Russia the same year.

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2011MY Dodge Caliber: Retuned Steering System and Equipment Upgrades

Continuing to chart the changes on the Chrysler Group's 2011MY cars, the Dodge Caliber has received some modest enhancements for the new model year, the most noteworthy being the re-tuned steering system which, according to the automaker, provides in a "more direct and precise feel". Other than that, you'll find new available exterior colors and some trim and equipment upgrades on certain models, which you can check in detail in the list after the break.

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Sticky Pedal Virus Hits Chrysler, More than 25,000 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass Models Being Recalled

The Chrysler Group is the latest automaker to issue a recall over potential problems related one way or another with gas pedals. The Detroit manufacturer said that it is going to recall a total of 25,336 2007MY Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass models to address complaints about sticky gas pedals.

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Dodge Gives 2010 Caliber a New Interior and 2.2-Liter Diesel with 163HP, Debuts in Frankfurt

Evidently, someone inside the Chrysler Group finally agreed with the rest of the world that, like the Jeep Patriot and Compass, the Dodge Caliber's interior was, well, pathetic to say the least. The first photos show a similar approach to the two Jeep models as the Caliber gets an all-new interior with a redesigned dashboard that's highlighted by detailed chromed accents and according to the company, more premium, soft-touch materials.

Other detail changes include additional "cubby" space, center storage bin and larger climate controls while there's also new door-trim panels and a center console with armrest split-lid that's padded with soft-touch materials.

European buyers will be happy to know that the 2010MY Caliber gets a new 2.2-liter common-rail diesel engine that produces 163HP and 320Nm (236 lb.-ft.) of torque, delivering 16 percent more power, 3 percent more torque and 25 percent more towing capability (1500 kg) over the previous diesel engine.

What's more, the 2.2-liter CRD model benefits from a 5 percent improvement in fuel consumption at 5.8 lt/100 km (46.1 mpg US) compared to 6.1 lt/100 km.

In international markets, the Caliber's 1.8-liter gasoline engine will be replaced by the firm's 2.0-liter unit producing 4 percent more power at 156HP and 13 percent more torque at 190 Nm (140 lb.-ft.).

Dodge Readying Newly Styled Interior for 2010MY Caliber?

A member of the Caliber Forums has posted what looks to be a computer generated image along with some specific details on the changes that Dodge is supposedly working on for the 2010 Caliber's interior. We can't vouch for the photo's authenticity, but just like the Jeep Patriot and Compass, if there's one thing that the Chrysler Group needs to fix on the Caliber ASAP, is the poor choice of materials in the cabin.

If we are to believe the forum poster, the 2010MY Caliber will receive a more contemporary styled dashboard with better materials and new HAVOC controls on the center stack along with restyled door panels with soft-touch plastics on the armrests and vinyl-wrapped upper sections.

Source: Caliber-Forums , Via: Le Blog Auto

FEV to Show Dodge Caliber Hybrid with 1.0-Liter Engine at SAE Congress

The proposals for extended-range electric vehicles just keep coming in. The latest company to announce new developments in the field of hybrid cars is FEV, a powertrain and vehicle engineering firm headquarted in Aachen, Germany. The firm announced that it will show a range-extended electric vehicle (ReEV) with plug-in capability based on the Dodge Caliber platform at the 2009 SAE World Congress in Detroit (April 20-23, 2009).

The Caliber ReEV's propulsion system employs a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder, 4 valve engine mated to a UQM PP75 generator that provides 41kW of continuous power in extended-range mode, with a peak power of 75kW.

The energy generated is stored in a 20 kW-h liquid-cooled Lithium Ion battery pack that operates at 346V, with a Delphi DC/DC converter. FEV said that the batteries provide enough power for the car to cover a distance of 40 miles or 64 kilometers which seems to be the magic number for most vehicles of the sort... The Caliber ReEV can accelerate from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 8.3 seconds and has a top speed of 84mph or 135 km/h.

For the record, the Caliber pictured above is a standard model as FEV has not releases any photos of the ReEV prototype.

2006 SEMA Show Dodge Caliber SXT for sale on eBay

If you have a thing for show cars then you might want to take a look at this supped up Dodge Caliber SXT that was displayed at Chrysler’s Mopar booth at the 2006 SEMA Show. According to the seller, this little green monster also made it across to China for the Shanghai Auto Show. The Caliber is fitted with a 200Hp 2.0-liter turbo engine matted to a CVT transsmion and it comes equipped with all sorts of Mopar goodies like a body kit, flat black paint on the hood and rooftop, 20-inch alloys and frontand rear Momo bucket seats. -Continued

• Details:
• Mopar body kit
• Mopar CF hood (painted flat black)
• Mopar Intake
• Mopar Header
• Mopar Dual Exhaust
• Mopar Strut tower brace
• Mopar lowering spring
• 20" Black Face Momo wheels
• 20" BFG tires
• Momo Sport Pedals
• Front AND Rear Momo Race Seats
• Carbon Fiber Leather Doors
• Upgrade to Dodge Navigation head unit
• Boston Acoustic Amps, Subwoofers, speakers
• Drop down DVD player with Nintendo DS
• Custom House of Kolors Limetime paint with Flat Black hood, roof and trim

Link: eBay , Thanks for the tip Joe!