CATS Motors launches Dodge Caliber

Compact SUV/crossover vehicle shoppers have never had it this good. There are options galore all over the place. There’s the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, the Ford Escape, the Mazda Tribute, the Nissan X-Trail, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Subaru Forester, the Chevrolet Captiva, the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage, the Suzuki Grand Vitara and even the BMW X3 all vying for their attention. Well, we all can feel free to add another vehicle to that list. CATS Motors, exclusive distributors of Dodge vehicles in the country, officially launched last week the Dodge Caliber, which they describe as an “entry-level premium compact car”. In truth, it’s more a crossover vehicle that combines the versatility of a compact SUV with the fuel efficiency of an entry-level car (they claim it consumes roughly 8-9 km/l).

While we have yet to actually test-drive the vehicle, initial impressions from the exclusive media launch at the Dodge showroom along Pasong Tamo in Makati had us marveling at some of the very thoughtful features of the vehicle. First off (and this is a big plus for music buffs like me) there’s the MusicGate Power system with its nine speaker Boston Acoustics set up, two of which, upon lifting of the Caliber’s tailgate, can swing down to face rearward. It’s like a picnic boombox on wheels! Then there’s what Dodge calls the Chill Zone, a cooled beverage storage bin that can hold up to four 20-ounce bottles or cans. Then, at the headliner above the storage area, there’s a self-charging removable flashlight. Even the sliding armrest with an MP3 player holder is way cool (unfortunately the MP3 connection is still not standard).

Of course it doesn’t all begin and end simply with thoughtful features. The Dodge Caliber’s 2.0-liter engine produces a respectable 158 horsepower even as the car has earned for itself a five-star frontal crash test rating from the US government. It’s loaded with safety and security features like multistage driver and front passenger airbags, standard side curtain airbags, ABS, crumple zones, an energy absorbing steering column and height adjustable seatbelts.

The Dodge Caliber’s powertrain and drive systems are also quite impressive on paper. The Caliber is the first Chrysler Group vehicle to offer the World Engine and a second-generation Continuously Variable Transaxle – both of which bring the promise of marked refinement in a vehicle in its class. The Chrysler Group World Engine is actually defined by quite a number of advanced technologies squeezed into a single, functioning block. There’s dual variable valve timing and an intake manifold design with flow control valves, among others. To the layman car fan, this simply means that the car can burn fuel better, hence the impressive claimed fuel efficiency numbers.

Also, it’s quite the looker. While its size definitely keeps it from being considered an imposing figure out on the road, it’s got Dodge DNA written all over it. The signature crosshair grille gives the Caliber a strong, muscular face. Sculpted fenders and broad shoulders add to the muscular look. And the rear, with its large modular crystal taillamps and a roof spoiler that houses an integrated center high-mounted stop lamp, makes for a pretty powerful exclamation point at the end. So while it may not be imposing, the Dodge Caliber still comes off as both bold and aggressive.

If you are even remotely interested in the Dodge Caliber, do check it out at either the CATS Chrysler showroom along EDSA/Greenhills or Pasong Tamo in Makati. Because at an introductory price of P1,575,000, it does look like an appealing alternative to the other vehicles we mentioned at the start of this article.