2009 Dodge Caliber

2009 Dodge Caliber — Safety, Value and Bold Styling in One of the World's Most Competitive Segments

The 2009 Dodge Caliber combines five-star safety ratings, value, bold styling and many clever interior innovations in one of the world's most competitive segments. Dodge Caliber appeals to up-and-coming buyers around the world who want a compact car that stands out from the crowd and gives them the flexibility to do more in terms of seating friends and storing gear. Caliber gives them Dodge attitude packaged with the versatility of a sport-utility vehicle (SÚV) and the affordability and fuel efficiency of a compact car.

Three World Engine offerings (1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-liter) provide class-leading horsepower (148, 158 and 172, respectively), as well as excellent fuel efficiency. For 2009, Dodge Caliber is available in a front-wheel-drive configuration on the SE, SXT and R/T models.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber earned the Ú.S. government's highest five-star frontal crash test rating for both the driver and front passenger, thanks to the vehicle's solid, high-strength steel structure and more than 25 advanced safety and security features, including standard advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags, standard side-curtain air bags and a standard driver's side inflatable knee blocker. In addition, 40 percent of Dodge Caliber's body structure, when measured by body mass, is constructed of high-strength, ultra-high-strength and hot-stamped steel, which reduce weight and provide excellent impact performance.

In addition to its bold design, five-star crash rating and fuel-efficient powertrain options, the 2009 Dodge Caliber is chock full of interior features rarely found on entry-level compact vehicles. An available MusicGate Power™ Sound Group, which includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate that swing down to face rearward for tailgating and other activities, is now standard on SXT Sport & R/T models.

New for 2009, uconnect tunes and uconnect gps are now available. uconnect tunes includes a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing as many as 6,700 compressed MP3, AAC or WMA format songs and JPEG photos onto the hard drive. In addition, movies can be displayed on the screen for entertaining passengers when the vehicle is in Park. uconnect gps combines the features of uconnect phone and uconnect tunes with navigation and real-time traffic. The system includes an integrated voice recognition system and touch screen for easy operation.

An Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) is now standard on the SXT model.

To reduce noise, the 2009 Dodge Caliber's engine compartment and interior floor have added insulation, and tuning improvements have been made to the engine exhaust for a quieter ride.

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2009

EXTERIOR

• Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat replaces Light Khaki Metallic Clear Coat

• Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat replaces Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat

• New 'Dodge' badge added to liftgate

• Body-color door handles standard on SXT models

INTERIOR

• New larger floor mats standard on SXT and R/T

• uconnect tunes and uconnect gps availability added

• MusicGate Power™ Sound Group standard on SXT Sport model

POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS


• ABS standard on SXT model

• Engine compartment and interior floor insulation have been added, and tuning improvements have been made to the engine exhaust for a quieter ride

• Improved 2009 EPA fuel economy mpg 24/30 (city/hwy) on SE model with 1.8-liter engine and five-speed manual transaxle

PACKAGES


• SE Plus Package (which includes air conditioning with Chill Zone,™ air filtering and 17-inch aluminum wheels and tires)

• Premium Sound Group (which includes leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls, MusicGate Power™ nine-speaker sound system with Boston Acoustics Premium Sound System on SXT model)

• Driver Convenience Group (which includes compass, Electronic Vehicle Information Center EVIC, HomeLink Úniversal Home Security System Transceiver, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Tire Pressure Monitoring TPM, uconnect phone and heated seats)

• Security Group for SXT (which includes front-seat side air bags, engine oil cooler 2.0L only, trailer tow wiring harness, security alarm, daytime running lamps and ESP)

• Security Group for R/T (which includes front-seat side air bags, engine oil cooler, trailer tow wiring harness, security alarm, daytime running lamps, ESP and uconnect gps)

DESIGN

The Caliber has Dodge's imprint stamped into its DNA from the grille to the tailpipe. The signature crosshair grille gives Caliber the distinct face of Dodge and defines its strong, muscular front view.

Sculpted fender forms, broad shoulders and a distinctive hood give Caliber its proud, powerful stance. Large, crystal headlamps and available fog lamps complement the Dodge grille and create an integrated look that completes Caliber's sporty appearance.

A black graphic design accent, which runs the length of the roof, melds into an integrated rear roof spoiler, creating a coupe-like visual quality from the side view. Únique glass-to-body proportions give the Dodge Caliber a tough, protective presence, and the forward sweep of the tailgate further emphasizes Caliber's sporty profile.

The rear view of the Dodge Caliber is as distinctive and powerful as the front. The black roof spoiler with integrated center high-mounted stoplamp (CHMSL) and large modular crystal taillamps fill Caliber's rear corners and provide distinct focal points of the car's rearview design. Dodge's 'do more' philosophy is evident in Caliber's rear liftgate, which provides easy access to the vehicle's spacious interior.

ENGINEERING

To reduce noise, the 2009 Dodge Caliber's engine compartment and interior floor have had insulation added, and tuning improvements have been made to the engine exhaust for a quieter ride.

As a compact car sold in markets around the world, the 2009 Dodge Caliber features innovative engines and transaxles that deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement.

Dodge Caliber's powertrain and drive systems offer many Chrysler LLC firsts in the compact car market. Dodge Caliber is the first Chrysler vehicle to offer the full range of World Engines and a second-generation Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT2). Dodge Caliber also is Chrysler's first compact car to offer an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control.

Three World Engine offerings (1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-liter) provide class-leading horsepower (148, 158 and 172, respectively). Chrysler engineers met aggressive performance and fuel-economy targets through advanced cylinder-head port and intake manifold design. Technologies in the Chrysler World Engines include dual variable valve timing (VVT) and an intake manifold design with flow control valves, both firsts for a Chrysler compact car and features typically found only on more expensive vehicles. Combined, these features produce more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without them.

Dodge Caliber's CVT2 is a second-generation CVT that Chrysler engineers calibrated for pleasing engine response and precise ratio control. An Auto Stick feature, available on the SXT model with the Sport Package and the R/T model, allows for manual control with the simulation of six stepped gears. CVT2 contributes to a fuel economy improvement of 6 percent to 8 percent compared with a traditional four-speed automatic transaxle.

Source - Dodge

2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4®: SRT Performance and Value in Aggressive Sport-compact Package

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4® continues the 'race-inspired, street legal' legacy of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT®) organization. The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers on the promise of benchmark performance for the best price. Powered by a 285 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces a 0-60 mph time in the
six-second range, the Caliber SRT4 is not only fun to drive, but has innovative interior features that lets customers haul people and cargo while enjoying the ride.

Innovative, fun features such as an available high-performance KICKER® audio system that includes 13 speakers, a 322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer; flip-down speakers in the rear hatch, 'Performance Pages' reconfigurable display and seating for five are a few of the attributes that make the 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 unique in the sport compact segment.

'The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 redefines ‘fun-to-drive' in the sport compact market,' said Kipp Owen, Director – SRT Engineering, Chrysler LLC. 'With 285 horsepower under the hood, and a bold design, this car won't be mistaken for any other performance vehicle on the road.'

The bold exterior styling features don't just look good, they have a functional purpose as well. The aggressive front stance incorporates functional brake cooling ducts, a larger grille opening and a unique hood with a functional air scoop. The unique rear spoiler aids in aerodynamic efficiency.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 race-inspired interior offers customers a business-like cockpit with the performance features sport compact drivers expect such as a short-throw shifter and a turbo boost gauge.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers world-class performance across a dynamic range with 0-60 mph in the six-second range, a quarter-mile time of approximately 14.5 seconds, 60-0 braking distance of less than 125 feet and a top speed of 155 mph.

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2009

EXTERIOR
• Deep Water Blue Clear Coat paint replaces Sunburst Orange

INTERIOR
• SIRIÚS Satellite Radio standard

• Performance Pages reconfigurable display standard

• uconnect tunes standard

• Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) standard

• Front-seat side air bags added to Security Group option

• uconnect gps added to Security Group option

• Leather-trimmed seating package option

DESIGN


The Caliber SRT4's overall design was developed in the wind tunnel and produces optimized aerodynamic lift forces at the front and rear axles at speed. The unique rear fascia features lower vertical strakes that direct underbody air flow out the back of the vehicle, contributing to more stability at speed. Aerodynamic efficiency is also aided by an integrated spoiler above the rear glass. The spoiler is nearly 60 percent larger than that on the standard Dodge Caliber, and is tuned for smoother air flow and downforce while maximizing the rear view.

Inside, unique SRT touches include sport seating with deep bolstering and performance-fabric inserts to hold occupants during spirited driving, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a 'carbon-fiber-like pattern' on the upper portion. The seats, steering wheel and leather shift boot feature contrasting stitching. The short-throw shifter mounted in the center stack shifter features a leather boot with carbon-fiber-like pattern, a leather-finished shifter knob and cap with bright chrome finish.

The instrument panel features three gauge 'tunnels' outfitted with performance-oriented instrumentation, including a center-mounted tachometer, 180-mph speedometer, and coolant temperature and fuel gauges. Standard 'Performance Pages' reconfigurable display can display performance information including longitudinal and lateral G-force, 0-60 mph acceleration time 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time and speed and braking distance. An electronic turbo boost gauge is located on the left side of the instrument panel.

ENGINEERING


The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4's 2.4-liter World Engine is produced at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance facility in Dundee, Mich. The engine's aluminum block is specially machined for increased water and oil flow, and its aluminum cylinder head is equipped with unique high-temperature exhaust valves and variable valve timing for efficient combustion and flow. Power goes to a Getrag DMT-6 six-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The 2.4-liter aluminum 4-cylinder engine produces 285 horsepower (213 kW) and 265 lb.-ft. (352 N•m) of torque.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 rides on SRT-unique, 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels with 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear tires. Úpgrades to the standard Dodge Caliber's MacPherson strut front suspension include new knuckles, tuned dampers and revised spring rates. A unique rear sway bar keeps body roll to a minimum during hard cornering.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 braking system components features vented brake rotors that are 302 mm x 10 mm in the front and rear.

The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) were uniquely calibrated for the 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4's performance to maintain directional stability without wheel lockup and to mitigate brake knockback.

Source - Dodge