The Dodge Caliber is the replacement for the Neon, and went on sale in the spring of 2006 with the 2007 model year. The Caliber is a 5-door hatchback roughly the size of a Neon, and was first shown at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.
It features styling elements derivative of larger Dodge vehicles, such as a crosshair grille and large wheel arches.
The Caliber uses a continuously variable transmission, the first DaimlerChrysler car to use this technology. It uses a four-cylinder 1.8–2.4 L GEMA gasoline engine.
The car also features an electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system with variable torque between speeds of 25 and 65 mph for optimal handling.
The base SE model features front wheel drive and a 1.8 L 148 hp GEMA I4 attached to a 5-speed manual transmission. A 2.0 L 158 hp version of the engine is available as an option, which comes with the CVT2 transmission.
There is no automatic transmission for the 1.8 L engine, nor is there a manual transmission for the 2.0 L.
The SXT has the same engine choices as the SE but many more features are available as standard. Air conditioning, including the Chill Zone beverage cooler. The driver's seat adds height adjustment, the passenger seat folds flat
and the rear seats recline. Power windows, locks, mirrors, and remote keyless entry are included. The grille surround is chromed, and 17-inch steel wheels are standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels as an option.
The cargo area light now doubles as a removable, rechargeable flashlight, while the front dome light incorporates reading lamps. The front console now includes a 115-volt 2-prong power outlet.
The R/T model has 172 hp 2.4 L version of the GEMA engine, equipped with the CVT2 transmission, and programmed with an 'AutoStick' feature giving six simulated fixed ratios in a clutchless manual mode in addition to the standard CVT 'Drive' mode.
18-inch aluminum wheels are standard, while chromed are an option.
The SRT-4 model is a replacement for the Dodge Neon SRT-4 modified by Chrysler's SRT group. It features a turbocharged version of the 2.4 L engine with a class-leading 300 hp
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