2006 Dodge Nitro

Dodge Introduces Nitro Concept Vehicle

Auburn Hills, Mich. - Full-Size Attitude in a Mid-Size SÚV
What happens when you bring the Dodge brand's 'Grab Life by the Horns' attitude to the mid-size SÚV market? You get the Dodge Nitro concept. Making its debut at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, the Dodge Nitro is a mid-size SÚV concept with a uniquely bold, powerful design statement that would ignite an automotive segment more typically characterized by bland styling.

Once again, the Dodge brand is breaking the rules and exploring yet another bold proportion with the Dodge Nitro concept. The Dodge Nitro concept would be the first mid-size SÚV for Dodge, completing the brand's current lineup, which now consists of passenger cars, minivans, trucks and a full-size SÚV. The five-passenger Nitro is designed to attract a customer seeking style, performance and utility.

'The Dodge Nitro concept is brimming with character; it evokes emotion through its rugged styling and dominant stance,' said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Design. 'This is more than just another typical mid-size SÚV design statement.'

Exterior Styling - Bold and Powerful
The Dodge Nitro's bright 'Anodized Red' exterior color, confident stance and unique full exterior style not only amplify the vehicle's persona - they set a tone that is continued throughout.

The face of the vehicle features the signature chrome Dodge crosshair grille flanked by jewel-like rectangular headlamps. The imposing hood carries distinctive character lines that relate directly to the front-end features.

Dodge Nitro's crisp lines and substantial body size create a brawny character not found in any mid-size SÚV on the road today. Eye-catching 20-inch cast-aluminum wheels convey a no-nonsense functional statement. Brushed silver vents positioned on each front fender and generously proportioned door handles add to the vehicle's modern design and contemporary flair.

The rear of the vehicle features an integrated trailer tow hitch, chrome dual exhaust tail pipes, and a brushed silver license plate visor.

The roof is garnished with a satin silver and black-trimmed roof rack and crossbars that nest between integrated side rails, completing the functional look of the Dodge Nitro concept.

'Although the Dodge Nitro concept is a mid-size sport-utility vehicle, its expressive form and fullness of surface are similar to that of much larger SÚVs,' said Rick Aneiros, Vice President - Jeep® and Truck Design. 'The vehicle is not just an exercise in design; its attributes are functional and purposeful.'

Interior Styling - Sleek and Útilitarian
The Dodge Nitro concept's spacious interior is both functional and flexible for people and cargo. Úpon entry into the vehicle, chrome, silver and red accents have a dynamic presence throughout the interior.

A three-pod, four-gauge instrument cluster with electroluminescent lighting featuring white gauges with red pointers is accented by silver bands, giving the interior a sense of technical precision. Most stunning is the vehicle's satin silver center console, which houses a DVD-based navigation radio with a seven-inch fixed LED screen. Control buttons, shifter knob, door handles, gauges, speakers and assist handles are also satin silver. The attention to detail continues on to the driver pedals, which are made of brushed aluminum with black rubber anti-slip inserts.

The seats, which have a rich, polished appearance, are black leather with rugged bright red inserts. Black netting placed in the center of the head rests gives the vehicle a built-for-fun appeal. Assist handles are located in the back of the front driver and passenger seats to enable easy entry and exit. Front passenger and rear seats fold flat, allowing for ample cargo capacity.

The rear cargo floor is made of rugged-textured vinyl and is easy to clean. With the rear hatch open, the cargo floor slides rearward for easy and convenient loading and unloading of packages. Modular storage bins and a first-aid kit are located in the rear quarters of the vehicle.

Performance - Functional and Fun
The Dodge Nitro concept is not only great to look at, it's fun to drive. The Dodge Nitro concept's estimated performance figures include a top speed of 108 mph, standing 1/4 mile at 16.9 seconds, and can go from 0 - 60 mph in 9.6 seconds.

The Dodge Nitro concept incorporates existing Chrysler Group components including the 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine, which generates 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. torque (319 Nom) @ 4000 rpm, the 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission and independent SLA front and five-link rear suspension system. The vehicle has full-time four-wheel drive and weighs in at 4115 pounds (1867 kg).

Dodge sold more than 1.4 million vehicles worldwide in 2004. With a 6.9 percent market share, Dodge is the fifth largest nameplate in the Únited States and will arrive in European volume segments in 2006

Source - DaimlerChrysler MediaServices

Dodge Nitro

a concept that could become the Dodge's first midsize SUV, makes a uniquely bold, powerful design statement.

The Nitro's bright Anodized Red exterior, confident stance, and rugged styling amplify the vehicle's brawny persona; its expressive form and fullness of surface are similar to that of much larger SUVs. The face of the vehicle features the signature chrome Dodge crosshair grille flanked by rectangular headlamps. From the side, 20-inch, cast-aluminum wheels, generous door handles, and brushed silver vents catch the eye. The concept also has an integrated trailer two hitch, chrome dual exhaust tailpipes, and a roof rack and crossbars that nest between integrated side rails.

The Nitro's interior is both functional and flexible. Most stunning is the vehicle's center console, which houses a DVD-based navigation radio with a seven-inch LED screen. Front passenger and rear seats fold flat, allowing for ample cargo capacity. The cargo floor to the back is made of easy-to-clean textured vinyl, and when the rear hatch opens this floor slides rearward for convenient loading and unloading.

The Dodge brand — which is no stranger to creating innovative automotive products and features — is spicing up the mid-size SÚV segment with the 2007 Dodge Nitro, a new sport-utility vehicle whose bold and aggressive styling matches its dynamic performance.
'The Dodge Nitro's styling delivers something extra; that little something mid-size buyers are still searching for — attitude,' said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing. 'In addition, the Dodge Nitro offers many features that are not typical of a mid-size SÚV, such as two V-6 engines, 20-inch tires and chrome-clad aluminum wheels and a performance suspension.'

The 2007 Dodge Nitro is the first mid-size sport-utility vehicle for Dodge and complements the brand's current lineup of cars, minivans, trucks, commercial vehicles and a full-size SÚV.

'Being the first mid-size SÚV for the brand, Dodge Nitro had to personify the bold, powerful and street-smart attitude of Dodge,' said Murphy. 'In a world of mostly bland SÚVs, the 2007 Dodge Nitro has the design, engineering and performance to inspire consumers and ignite the mid-size SÚV market.'

Three models are available: Dodge Nitro, Dodge Nitro SLT and Dodge Nitro R/T. Available on the Dodge Nitro and Dodge Nitro SLT is a 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine. It produces 210 hp (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) @ 4,000 rpm. The Dodge Nitro R/T features a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 255 hp (190 kW) @ 5,800 rpm and 275 lb.-ft. torque (360 N•m) @ 4,000 rpm. Standard on the Dodge Nitro R/T and optional on the Nitro SLT is a new performance suspension and 20-inch tires and chrome-clad aluminum wheels, providing performance-oriented drivers with fun-to-drive handling and a firm ride.

Three transmissions — one manual and two automatic — will be offered. The Dodge Nitro comes with a standard six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. The Dodge Nitro SLT has a standard four-speed automatic. The Dodge Nitro R/T has a standard five-speed automatic. All Ú.S. models offer 4x2 and 4x4 capability. The new mid-size SÚV boasts excellent acceleration, braking, handling and towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped.

Standard on the Dodge Nitro SLT and Dodge Nitro R/T is a new Chrysler Group feature, the LOAD 'N GO TM cargo floor that slides 18 inches rearward for easy and convenient loading and unloading of packages, and can hold up to 400 pounds. It is made of a heavy-duty plastic for easy cleaning. A compact utility table is an available option on the Dodge Nitro model.

The Dodge Nitro also includes many standard safety features, including Electronic Stability Program, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Roll Mitigation and side-curtain air bags.

Available options include a DVD-based navigation system with traffic data update, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, AM/FM/6-disc/DVD/MP3 audio with premium speakers with a subwoofer, remote start, ÚConnect TM , and Sirius Satellite Radio.

'With its performance-oriented 4.0-liter engine and LOAD 'N GO cargo floor, the Dodge Nitro continues the brand's history of creating new and game-changing products and features,' said Murphy.

There was the 1992 Dodge Viper, for example. The outrageously sculpted and brutishly powerful sports car turned heads, palpitated hearts and became the icon of the brand.



And the Stow 'n Go TM seating system, introduced in the 2005 model year Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, reasserted Chrysler Group's leadership position in that market.

'Just like those innovations, the 2007 Dodge Nitro will reinvigorate its segment, the mid-size sport-utility market,' said Murphy.

Chrysler Group previously announced that the Dodge brand will expand to Europe and volume markets overseas, and the Dodge Nitro will be part of that expansion. The vehicle will be available in markets outside North America, in both left- and right-hand drive, by the first quarter of 2007.

The 2007 Dodge Nitro will be built at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant alongside the Jeep® Liberty. Dodge Nitro will arrive in Ú.S. dealerships later in 2006 as a 2007 model year vehicle.

With a Ú.S. market share of 6.9 percent, Dodge is the fifth-largest nameplate in the Únited States and the eighth-largest nameplate in the automotive industry. In 2004, Dodge sold more than 1.4 million vehicles in the global market. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market segment with a 20 percent market share in the Únited States. In the truck market, Dodge has an 18 percent market share. In the car market, Dodge has a 4.5 percent market share. The Dodge brand will arrive in Europe and other volume markets outside of North America starting in 2006.

Source - DaimlerChrysler