[HemiDakota]

Small Caliber fires into city
Neon replacement more small SUV than compact car

Fri Mar 17 2006
By Myron Love


DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S 2007 Dodge Caliber -- which debuted to an enthusiastic reception in Winnipeg at the beginning of the week -- is the manufacturer's new entry-level vehicle. It has been built from the ground up with a special plant designated by Daimler Chrysler whose function is to make the engines for the Caliber alone.

• Base price: $15,995 (includes PDI; add $1,050 for freight costs).
• Type: five-passenger,four-door hatchback.
• Layout: FWD, all-wheel drive available
• Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder engine with dual variable valve timing.
• Power: 148 horsepower at 6500 rpm.
• Torque: 125 lb-ft. at 5200 rpm
• Mileage: 28 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg on the highway.
• Up-market: Boston Acoustics 9-speaker sound system wuth subwoofer, air-conditioned chilled beverage storage bin.

"The Caliber is Dodge's most affordable vehicle," says Wayne Vickar, Waverley Chrysler's new car sales manager. "It's a multifunctional vehicles that works like an SUV even though it isn't. It has more power and runs more quietly than the competition. It's available in 93 countries."
Vickar says the Caliber is available in SE (the base model), SXT and RT models with the SRT4 model with street racing technology expected out soon.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/autos/story/3386326p-3917234c.html