[oohsoobad2]

Ive driven a few of each the past few days. The R/T is a nice upgrade from the base Caliber and has a much better all around feel. The Autostick options is very nice and much improved over past versions.

I was even more impressed with the diesel Caliber made for export. I really think if DC choose to offer the exact same car in the states that it'd sell very well. Its quiet and the diesel engine makes great tourqe after you get the car moving.

Intrestingly I have yet to see any 5 speed gasoline Calibers yet.

 

[DodgeInfoCenter]

Ive driven a few of each the past few days. The R/T is a nice upgrade from the base Caliber and has a much better all around feel. The Autostick options is very nice and much improved over past versions.

I was even more impressed with the diesel Caliber made for export. I really think if DC choose to offer the exact same car in the states that it'd sell very well. Its quiet and the diesel engine makes great tourqe after you get the car moving.

Intrestingly I have yet to see any 5 speed gasoline Calibers yet.

You still have a little while until they are released. The 2006 Caliber R/T FWD manuals are scheduled for a late availability release. Personally I would expect to see them released sometime around mid to late summer but this is no guarantee.

As for the diesel, well once the US finalizes its new Diesel emission standards the work can begin.

Dan

 

[Silverfox]

They've been working on those new regulations for how long now?

 

[Xtreme Thunder]

The 2006 Caliber R/T FWD manuals are scheduled for a late availability release. Personally I would expect to see them released sometime around mid to late summer but this is no guarantee.



Dan

Good perfect timing!!!

I hope that "ball park timeframe" is correct, well the more I save the better and quicker I can pay it off.

 

[holeydonut]

Is Detroit Diesel (VM Motori) still going to be the primary supplier of diesels for North America? Or will DCX Import diesels from the Daimler GmbH side of things?

I heard they downsized some of Detroit Diesel earlier this year ... and it seems the North American operations are only set up for commercial truck engines anyway. I just find it odd that Merc would continue to use their own in-house diesels (they even have a 2.8 CDI V6 ... as opposed to the Liberty's 28 CDI Inline 4) for use in the M-class. Wacky.

The 1.8 and 2.0 CDIs that Merc uses are both very refined... and I think they'd go great in a Caliber