With its signature Dodge brand styling, Caliber is designed for global appeal
Caliber will spearhead Dodge brand’s global expansion with gas and diesel powertrains and left- and right-hand drive availability
Dodge is taking a new slant on the global compact car market, introducing the 2007 Dodge Caliber at a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $13,985 (including a $560 destination charge), $410 below the outgoing Dodge Neon.
Dodge Caliber redefines the entry-level vehicle by combining high value with bold styling and a flexible interior. It is designed to appeal to buyers around the world who want Dodge attitude packaged with the capability and versatility of a sport-utility vehicle and the affordability and fuel-efficiency of an entry-level compact car.
Dodge Caliber will appeal to up-and-coming buyers looking for a compact car that stands out from the crowd and gives them the flexibility to do more in terms of seating friends and storing gear. Caliber has the versatility and flexibility to accommodate their lifestyle.
“Dodge Caliber is not your typical small car,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing. “The all-new Dodge Caliber redefines the compact car by combining crossover styling with space-efficient packaging, interior flexibility, innovative features and affordable performance. Caliber allows owners around the globe to be active, do more and stand out — to live life to the fullest, and do so at a very competitive price,” Murphy added.
The 2007 Dodge Caliber will be available in U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of 2006 and in global volume markets in the second quarter of 2006.
Room to Grow In North America, Dodge Caliber will draw from the compact and mid-size car segments and appeal to first-time new car purchasers, including those whose first car may have been used. It also will draw from the small and mid-size sport-tourer segments. The compact car segment has held at a steady 10- to 12-percent share of the U.S. car market for the past few years, with approximately 1.9 million units sold annually. The sport-tourer segment is growing, with more than 800,000 units sold each year. Small sport-tourer sales account for 40 percent of the total sport-tourer segment and also continue to grow.
With the all-new Caliber, Dodge is targeting 20-something first-time new car buyers who earn a median income of $45,000. Thirty-five percent are college graduates. Dodge Caliber is also designed to appeal to forty-something parents buying a car for their children. These parents demand safety and consider the cost of ownership before buying a vehicle.
Outside North America, Caliber will spearhead the Dodge brand’s expansion into Europe and other global volume markets as a boldly styled, affordable entry into the competitive C-segment.
‘Pure Dodge’ Design Dodge Caliber is a five-door vehicle that combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the strength, stance and functionality of an SUV. Caliber's sheer surface treatment commands attention and evokes attributes that define the Dodge brand: bold, powerful, capable and street smart.
“With its bold styling and clever packaging, Caliber is pure Dodge,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President — Design, Chrysler Group. “The Dodge Caliber brings emotion to the competitive compact car segment,” Creed added.
There is no mistaking Caliber. The all-new compact car has Dodge’s imprint stamped into its DNA from the grille to the tailpipe. The signature crosshair grille gives Caliber the distinct face of Dodge and defines its strong, muscular front view.
Strong, sculpted fender forms, broad shoulders and a distinctive hood give Caliber its proud, powerful stance. Large, crystal headlamps and available fog lamps complement the Dodge grille and create an integrated look that completes Caliber's sporty appearance.
A black graphic design accent, which runs the length of the roof, melds into an integrated rear-roof spoiler, creating a coupe-like visual quality from the side view. New and unique glass-to-body proportions give the Dodge Caliber a tough, protective presence, and the forward sweep of the tailgate further emphasizes Caliber's sporty profile.
The rear view of the Dodge Caliber is as distinctive and powerful as the front. The black roof spoiler with integrated center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) and large modular crystal taillamps fill Caliber’s rear corners and provide distinct focal points of the Caliber’s rear-view design. Dodge’s “do more” philosophy is evident in Caliber's rear liftgate, which provides easy access to the vehicle’s spacious interior.
Fun Features and Flexibility
Customer demand for a compact vehicle with a lot of interior flexibility and utility had a big influence on Dodge Caliber’s interior, which provides comfortable seating for the driver and up to four passengers, plus room for gear.
“Dodge Caliber’s spacious interior also is very versatile,” said Matt Liddane, Chief Engineer — Dodge Caliber. “We combined style and comfort with innovative features and clever packaging to create a vehicle that gives new meaning to functionality in the compact car market.”
Dodge Caliber is chock full of interior features rarely found on entry-level compact vehicles, including:
Standard side-curtain air bags
MusicGate Power® An available nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with subwoofer includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down from the trim panel to face rearward for tailgating and other activities
An available dual purpose, self-recharging removable flashlight, which is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight
Chill Zone® A cooled beverage storage bin that can hold up to four 20-oz. bottles or cans (available in air conditioning-equipped models)
A floor console sliding armrest moves forward 3 inches to accommodate shorter drivers. The armrest lid includes a unique flip pocket for storing a cell phone or an MP3 player
An available 110-volt outlet in the center console can power small electronics (SXT and R/T)
Illuminated front cup holders rings glow blue-green to match other center stack lighting
A front passenger seat folds forward to create a table-like surface for versatility (SXT and R/T models)
60/40 rear seats both fold flat and recline 12 degrees (SXT and R/T models)
A vinyl load floor in the rear cargo area is both washable and removable
YES Essentials® fabric — an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile protects seats from stains, odors and discoloration (late availability)
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