7 February 2011
After an absence of more than forty years, DaimlerChrysler New Zealand, have reintroduced the Dodge brand back into the new car market. The Dodge brand was last seen as a NZ new locally assembled vehicle in the 1960s, when it was produced under the banner of Todd Motors.
Joining the Chrysler stable in 1928, Dodge has maintained a high profile in the American market with muscle type vehicles such as the V10-powered Viper sports car and the Ram truck. In fact, Dodge is the fifth largest automotive brand in the US outselling Chrysler and Jeep put together.
Global growth of the brand overall is clearly targeted at the right hand drive market with a planned 70% increase in sales the aim by 2007 and a further 20% increase by 2008.
The first vehicle to appear on the local scene wearing the familiar ram's-head badge and crosshair grille is the Caliber, a five-door hatchback that will compete with the likes of the Peugeot 307 and Mazda3 for market share. It is comparable in size to the Mazda3 SP23 measuring 4415mm in length and 1800mm in width. The Mazda measures 4425mm and 1755mm respectively. So one can expect to seat five adults in reasonable comfort, a good effort as practicality often goes out the window when a manufacture designs a vehicle aimed at being different from the mainstream pack.
First impressions are in keeping with expectations of the brand. Large wheel arches, which can house either 17 or 18-inch wheels, give the vehicle the expected masculine and aggressive look which will no-doubt appeal to potential buyers who want to stand out from the crowd.
DaimlerChrysler's design team have been very clever in giving the Caliber the impression of a unique vehicle from the outside, but when the skin is peeled back evidence of shared technology via a joint venture with Hyundai and Mitsubishi becomes clearly evident. This includes the platform and engines. Nothing wrong with that however, as reasonable fuel economy and maintenance costs are something that muscle cars and mainstream vehicles rarely have in common.
Two models choices, both four-cylinder petrol powered, are currently available; the 1.8 litre SE and SXT 2.0 litre. Although a further 2.4 litre petrol option, along with a 2.0 litre common-rail diesel engine will be available later this year.
Standard equipment levels on both models include cruise control, air-conditioning, remote door locking with anti-theft car alarm, power windows and power/heated door mirrors and a CD/radio audio system with MP3 compatibility. The SXT comes standard with 458-Watt Boston Acoustics speakers and audio controls mounted on a leather bound steering wheel.
Other innovative features include a refrigerated area in the glove-box to chill up to four cans or bottles, a pair of speakers can be swung down from an opened tailgate (SXT models only), a sliding centre console that lifts up to reveal a storage holder for an MP3 player or mobile phone and a removable ceiling light that doubles as a handy rechargeable flashlight. Reclining rear seats are added for extra comfort on long journeys.
The Caliber has earned a five-star front and side crash safety rating from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Dodge staff assured us on press day the NZ equipped vehicle is no different in safety spec than the one tested in the US. Standard equipment on all models includes front and side curtain airbags along with Anti-Locking Brakes and Electronic Brake Distribution. Lack of Brake Assist and Stability Control dilute the safety package a little (Brake Assist allows more braking force to be delivered to the brakes under hard or sudden braking while Stability Control can automatically override braking and throttle to improve vehicle handling). Lap and diagonal seat belts in all seating positions, ISO-FIX child seat anchor points and tether anchors are all standard across the range.
Engines and transmissions are an interesting combination and we suggest caution if the expectation is to have performance which matches the badge. The 2.0 litre powered SXT is mated to a six-step constant variable transmission (CVT) which combines well with the 115kW / 190Nm power unit and in our view the best package available. The 1.8 litre SE is partnered with a five speed manual gearbox. Power wise the 110kW would seem adequate, but the lack of low down torque (168Nm @ 5100 rpm) means the vehicle struggles to maintain momentum on hilly terrain without constant gear changing. Our advice: Try over a variety of road conditions before you buy.
Fuel consumption on both variants is quoted as an average of 7.8L/100km for the SE and 8.5 L/100km for the SXT. Dodge have taken some good options offered on the joint venture engine, providing twin camshafts, variable valve timing, electronic throttle control and variable manifold intakes all aimed at achieving a balance between fuel consumption and reasonable all round performance.
Suspension is by way of independent front and multi link rear, which seemed adequate over the short press drive we experienced. Minor niggles evident during our drive programme were a rattle from the steering rack and the thick windscreen pillars, which caused a blind spot at times.
The Dodge slogan "Grab Life By The Horns" fits well with this vehicle. For those looking for a non-mainstream vehicle that provides owners with the peace of mind of reliability and practicality at an affordable price, the Caliber may well be their vehicle of choice.
Pricing starts at $29,990 for the base model SE while the SXT retails for $34,990.