Stop the car using disc brakes, by the way they are all equipped with ventilation.
Weaknesses and cons of Caliber
Let's start with the body, because of the high-quality assembly, the paintwork is not very prone to chips and scratches. The plastic bumper hardens in cold weather and becomes more vulnerable. Thin metal is used on the thresholds and fenders, because of which these parts quickly rust.
Motor
The gas tank lock does not tolerate severe frosts, if it freezes, then a breakdown is guaranteed. The front optics constantly sweat in rainy weather, and in order to replace the bulbs, you need to dismantle the bumper, which is very inconvenient. There are problems with lamps with an error in the control unit, which can only be thrown off at a service center.
There are many reliable components in the engines, although at high mileages above 200 thousand kilometers the likelihood of crankcase rust, failure of the fuel pump and exhaust manifold increases. Throttle assembly and crankshaft pulley damper live for 150 thousand kilometers. There are many more nuances, but they arise with a run above 150,000 kilometers.
Dodge Caliber gearbox
After 150 thousand kilometers, mechanics needs to replace the bearing shafts and synchronizers. At the same run, the clutch release disc suffers, and sometimes the clutch mechanism completely.
The variator is much more reliable if the oil and filter are changed on it in a timely manner. The weak points are the blades of the position of the cones and the bearings of the shafts. Sometimes the splines of the couplings and the clutch package suffer.
Suspension
The chassis is the most unreliable part of the crossover - the stabilizer bushings do not live for more than 50 thousand kilometers, later the steering tips of the steering rack “die”. After a hundred thousand, it is necessary to replace the shock absorber struts, ball bearings, wheel bearings and silent blocks.
The steering is generally reliable, the power steering and steering rack elements on average live 200 thousand kilometers.
Price
The car is widely distributed in the secondary market with an average price of 400,000 rubles. It all depends on the condition and of course the engine. There is a sports version of the SRT-4, which costs more than a civilian one. The price tag is really small!
The American hatchback Dodge Caliber is a good car for city driving, and because of its good suspension, it can really overcome light off-road conditions and is therefore suitable for both the city and the country house.
Video
In 2006, one of the most popular American Dodge hatchbacks was released. It is easy to guess that we are talking about the Dodge Caliber, which conquered millions of US residents with its simplicity and versatility. The car has many advantages, but it is also criticized quite often. Technical characteristics and reviews of the owners now we will consider.
SUV or hatchback?
When the car first appeared on the American market, many buyers were confused. The thing is that when you look at the Dodge Caliber, there is an ambiguous impression. From the outside it is an SUV, but in terms of its characteristics - a hatchback. Some automotive critics tend to think that the car is completely unsuccessful from a design point of view. But if you look at sales volumes and consumer reviews, the situation is the opposite.
Today, cars that can be considered universal are much more valuable. Climbing rough terrain with ease and still have a large luggage compartment - this is exactly what many of us need. All this can be obtained behind the wheel of the Dodge Caliber. The reviews of most owners of this car are positive, but the car is considered illiquid. It is inexpensive, but it is extremely difficult to sell it.
Brutality in everything
The aggressive appearance of the car is the quality that is inherent in all Dodge models. Caliber is no exception. Take a look at it: a wide and large radiator grille with intersecting chrome inserts catches the eye. In the center is the company logo - bighorn, but most people call it simply "ram". Body lines are chopped and simple. Thanks to this simplicity and angularity, the American car is immediately recognizable. Wide wheel arches provide for the installation of rubber of a larger radius, which many will like.
A clearance of 20 centimeters allows you to move with confidence not only on poor quality roads, but also where there is no asphalt at all. But with the review there is trouble, which is confirmed by numerous driver reviews. Dodge Caliber has reduced windows, and the hood is located slightly above the level of the wings. This will definitely take some getting used to. But this can hardly be called a serious drawback, because today many cars have narrowed windows. Take for example or "Jeep Grand Cherokee".
Dodge Caliber: Specifications
From the moment of release until its completion, the manufacturer offered two engines to choose from:
- 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 150 "horses". Torque is 168 Nm, and acceleration to hundreds in 11.8 seconds. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle - 7.3 liters. The power unit is installed in tandem with a mechanical 5-speed gearbox;
- 2.0 liter petrol engine. The engine produces only 151 hp. with., but the pulling force is slightly higher and is already 190 Nm. Fuel consumption is slightly higher, about 8.5 liters in the combined cycle. But this is mainly due to the fact that the internal combustion engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic.
It can hardly be said that there is a large selection here. It is quite modest, but such power units are quite enough for a comfortable ride in a metropolis due to low fuel consumption and over rough terrain, which is facilitated by a torque of 190 Nm. Engines and gearboxes showed their best side. With proper maintenance, they last a long time.
Let's look inside
Perhaps it is the interior of American cars among experts that most often deserves the most criticism. The fact is that the Dodge has hard plastic, which, according to drivers, creaks very often. At the same time, the dashboard itself is made with high quality and competently. Everything looks good and is in its place. There are no unnecessary functions and options, but there is everything you need. The armrest is comfortable and wide, the cup holders are located in the most convenient place.
Everything is done extremely simply, but at the same time correctly, without unnecessary pathos and emphasis on high cost. At the same time, there are comfortable seats with many settings. The rear can even be set at a certain angle, which will allow you to travel long distances without getting tired. The backstage of the manual transmission is located very conveniently, it is slightly shifted towards the radio and is, as it were, on the rise of the tunnel. If you fold all the seats, we get 1013 liters of net volume, but in the classic form, only 413. The audio system is pleasantly surprising. Very high quality sound, regardless of configuration.
Dodge Caliber SRT tuning
In the US, many drivers turn to Street and Racing Technologies, which specializes in tuning. I visited boxing and Caliber. After experts put their hands on it, the car has changed significantly in appearance. For example, a diffuser appeared on the rear bumper. Therefore, "Dodge" has become somewhat closer to racing cars. The radiator grille was made even wider. Additional holes appeared in the bumper for improved airflow not only of the cooling system, but also of the brakes.
SRT specialists installed a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. The pistons for the power unit were made cast, and the connecting rods were forged. Naturally, the fuel system was also changed, in particular, a new injector and ECU were installed. At the output, we managed to get 295 liters. With. and about 390 Nm of torque. A very good result, since initially the engine has only 170 hp. With. Least of all changes affected the cabin. The only thing that immediately catches your eye is more comfortable seats with lateral support.
The prototype model Dodge Caliber debuted in the spring of 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show. The machine was put into serial production in 2006. The development of the car was carried out with a focus on the European market. The car was supposed to take a good place in the golf-class car segment. Externally, the Dodge Caliber five-door hatchback 4.5 meters long with a ground clearance of 19.5 centimeters is very similar to a crossover. The car is based on the latest version of the Mitsubishi Lancer platform. This base is also used for American Dodge Neons. In Russia, sales of the car began in June 2006. Under the hood of the Dodge Caliber, one of two engines can be installed: a 1.8-liter engine with a capacity of 140 horsepower, or a 150-horsepower power unit with a working volume of 2 liters. The first version is offered in three configurations: P0, P1 and P2; the second - in five: the same P0, P1 and P2, supplemented by SXT P1 and SXT P2. Dodge Caliber has a convertible five-seat interior. In 2008, the model underwent a facelift. In 2009, an updated Dodge Caliber was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a redesigned interior and new engines. Some old motors have been removed.
Specifications Dodge Caliber
hatchback
city car
- width 1 800mm
- length 4 415mm
- height 1 535mm
- ground clearance 203mm
- places 5
Dodge Caliber: end and start again
Dodge plans to end production of the obsolete Caliber at the end of November and unveil the next generation of the model at the Detroit International Auto Show in January 2012. August 26, 2011 0
The technical characteristics of the Dodge Caliber crossover fully correspond to the concept of the Dodge brand. This five-door car of the K1 class was first introduced in the spring of 2005 in Switzerland. In 2006, the production of this frankly aggressive machine began for sales on the world market.
Equipping Caliber with modern engines and gearboxes provides the car with excellent traction and speed characteristics, tangible fuel efficiency and low noise and vibration levels, which are inherent in world-class cars, regardless of road conditions.
Exterior and interior
The powerful and frankly brutal exterior of the Dodge Caliber definitely points to American design. Outside, the crossover looks “muscular” due to clear forms, chopped body lines, ribbed sides, massive bumpers and narrow windows. For cars, the Chrysler PM / MK platform is used. A significant clearance of 20 cm guarantees that Caliber belongs to the SUV segment.
Model dimensions:
- body length - 4415 mm;
- height -1535 mm;
- width - 1800 mm;
- wheelbase length - 2635 mm.
It is believed that the practical station wagon Dodge Caliber alludes to the "family" of the car. The simple angular interior is also well arranged and very practical. From electrical equipment there is a CD player, radio, air conditioning, cruise control system, electric mirrors. The car is equipped with airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and anti-theft equipment.
Car characteristics
The Dodge Caliber is equipped with modern engines and gearboxes. Two engines of the World Engine series and a working capacity of 1.8 and 2.0 liters are capable of developing 149 hp. and 156 hp The CVT2 car variator belongs to the second generation devices. In AutoStick mode, the CVT can be operated like a six-speed manual transmission.
CVT2 technology provides a 6-8% reduction in fuel consumption compared to using a traditional 4-speed automatic transmission. In our country, the Caliber model has recently been sold with a 2.0 engine (151 hp) complete with a CVT. In 2012, the Caliber was discontinued. Its successor was the 2013 Dodge Dart.
Crossover gasoline engines were developed jointly with Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Huyndai. The complete set of the Caliber model can be presented at the choice of the buyer with one of 4 types of engines:
- gasoline V 1.8 l with electronic injection, capable of developing 148 hp. at a rotation frequency of 6,500 rpm. The torque at 5,200 rpm is 168 N/m. Such an engine comes with a manual shift and a 5-speed gearbox;
- gasoline injection engine V 2.0 l with a power parameter of 156 hp at a value of 6,300 rpm and a torque indicator of 190 N / m at a frequency of 5,100 rpm. The unit is equipped with a continuously variable transmission - a variator manufactured by Jatco (Nissan branch);
- diesel V 2.0 l with a Common Rail injection system. At a speed of 4,000 rpm, it reaches a power of 140 hp. The torque value of 310 N/m is generated at 1750 rpm. A 6-speed "mechanics" is installed to the motor;
- gasoline V 2.4 l, equipped with an electronic injection system and having the highest power parameter of 174 hp. at a frequency of 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 223 N/m is provided at 4,400 rpm. This engine comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The Dodge Caliber has a fairly large luggage compartment - 648 liters. The steering is practically equipped with hydraulic booster. Reliable braking system is represented by front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes. On large wheels of the seventeenth diameter, tires with a dimension of 215 / 60 are put on.
Many Dodge Caliber owners highlight the following advantages of the car:
- reliable and economical motor;
- high ground clearance;
- simplicity and accessibility of service.
Dodge Caliber is the car for those who want a modern crossover equipped with completely new engines that guarantee excellent fuel efficiency and decent traction and speed characteristics. What makes this car attractive to the consumer is its high reliability and attractive price in any of its configurations.
