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(Tue 10 Jan 06)
The one with the least familiar name to motorists in this country is the Dodge Caliber (pictured above). Despite its coupé-like styling and a front end which echoes that of the colossal Dodge Ram pickup, the Caliber is actually a family hatchback. "Our market research tells us that customers are tired of the bland offerings in this segment," says Chrysler UK's Managing Director Simon Elliot. "The Dodge Caliber is boldly designed but will also deliver with affordable pricing, European-style handling and fuel-efficient engines." Those engines include 1.8- and two-litre petrol units, plus a two-litre turbo diesel. The Caliber will go on sale at Chrysler Group dealerships in July.
The other new cars are both Jeeps. The Compass (pictured above) is Jeep's new "soft-roader", intended to provide good refinement on dry tarmac while retaining a certain amount of off-road prowess. It will go on sale here in early 2007, and we suspect its prospects will be based on how potential customers react to its looks.
Some of Jeep's work on the Wrangler has been based on an attempt to make it more comfortable in normal road conditions, but there should be an improvement in its off-road ability too, thanks to revised front and rear axles, extra ground clearance and, of all things, an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar. Safe to say they didn't have those in World War II. Chrysler also has two concept cars on display at Detroit. The Dodge Challenger (pictured below) harks back to the 1970s car of the same name, though under the skin it's all-new, being based on the Chrysler 300C platform. The HEMI V8 engine used in the range-topping 300C has been extended from 5.7 to 6.1 litres for the concept, and produces a sturdy 425bhp.
The other concept, the Chrysler Imperial, uses the same platform and is also something of a nostalgiafest. Inspired by the Imperial of the 1930s, it's 17 inches longer than the 300C, with a seating position seven inches higher. It uses the HEMI again, this time back in 5.7-litre form, and has a top speed of 160mph and a 0-60mph time of 5.5 seconds. |
Outwardly, very little seems to have changed on the new Jeep Wrangler (pictured right), though it has a wider track and longer wheelbase than before. In other words, the wheels are further apart. The Wrangler also gets a more powerful petrol engine and, for the first time, the option of a diesel.
