Dodge Phoenix Reviews

The top end of the working ute business has been barren since Ford ran out of F-Series trucks, following the end of right-hand drive production in South America, which has created an opportunity for Chrysler.The American company is now mounting a detailed investigation into the potential for the Ram in Australia, as it prepares for the next all-new model, and the chance of right-hand drive trucks for overseas sales."There’s an opportunity with the Ram. I think it's worth investigating," Chrysler's senior manager for international product, Kevin Tourneur, says.He attended the Australian press preview of the new Jeep Patriot and Dodge Avenger in New Zealand last week and now has a strong understanding of the opportunityl for the Ram.“We don’t know if the time is right yet to bring it in, but this would be the time to start thinking about it. It's a matter of working with the markets," Tourneur says.He believes Australia's traditional support for both commercial and sports utes, over more than 40 years, points to the potential with Chrysler's long-running rival to Ford's F-Series, which is the world's favourite truck."But you need to have sustainable demand, because the Ram is not right-hand drive and was not developed with right-hand drive in mind, so there would be a lot of engineering work," he says.Chrysler Group Australia’s managing director, Gerry Jenkins, believes the Ram has a place on our roads and is keen to see it here."We’d love to have Ram here . . . I’m really excited about the idea,” Jenkins says."It’s not entirely about the numbers, but there probably needs to be demand for about 10,000 a year right-hand drive in the international market before it’s viable.""I think we could sell 3000 a year in Australia, especially with the Cummins diesel engine. There’s really nobody in that large ute market, there’s no competition.”The commercial market has big potential for the Ram, according to Chrysler spokesman, David McCarthy."If we brought the Ram here, more than half would be cab-chassis for ambulance and food delivery use,” McCarthy says.Jenkins says he has already had a stream of inquiries about the Ram from a mining company in Western Australia, and impressed by their persistence, eventually flew over and met with them."We’re going to supply some to them, but they will be left-hand drive," he says.However, Jenkins says converting Rams to right-hand drive is not an option he wants to consider for the broader Australian market.`"We’re not going to do conversions . . . we’re only interested in getting one that’s ADR compliant. People want the authentic product.”Jenkins says the same approach would apply if there was a chance to bring the latest Dodge Charger here, which will be unlikely as long as demand for the left-hand drive version continues to outstrip supply."Could we sell it in Australia? Of course we could,” he says."I think it’s the best-looking car we have. But it’s not really a possibility right now.”Tourneur says the strong American styling of Dodge vehicles, including the Ram and Charger, is the key to the brand's growing success.There’s no point in us trying to follow European design. If people want European, they’ll buy European," he says."We need to stay true to the US style. That unique design, that’s what we can bring. People all over the world want to be different."The character about Dodge is DNA from the trucks and the 70s muscle car phase . . . strong emotions and passion. Every product has to have a certain `Dodgeness.’ 

What's wrong with the compliment: “Nice car, mate”? I know too well that the youth of today would be acutely unaware of such delights as the music of Dire Straits, ice-cold Snips and the Dodge brand of motor car, the latter resurfacing in Australia last year after an absence of more than 30 years.I know that beanies have evolved to be more than apparel to keep your head warm, that it is “cool” to have your jeans five sizes too big, and bling is for boys as much as it is for girls.But am I expected to be so up with the times, so down with it, to appreciate the comment thrown to me from some young homeboys while I cruised Adelaide in a new Dodge Nitro?“PHAT . . . that car is fully phat, mate . . . sick.”It was followed by a mix of phrases from the wanna-be, pale-looking rappers, which included various combinations of the words; “fully-sick,” “smoke it up,” and “filth.”While there was little chance of actually “smokin up” the 2.8-litre, common-rail-diesel, five-speed auto medium SUV, I did think the term “PHAT” suited the robust truck. Its flat-faced, crosshair grille-endowed nose says you mean business, and the square body sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels gives drivers and occupants a sense of presence.But the rappers clearly were only appreciative of the look and knew little about the Nitro's performance and the points the Chrysler Group believes will help drive the Dodge brand forward with gusto.Aesthetics of the Nitro appreciated by the cool set, I was somewhat surprised when a man of the cloth, a very car-clued Barossa minister, later stopped me in the street to discuss its performance values.He was particularly keen on the towing capacity and tow ball weight limit of the diesel Nitro. A quick check of the specifications confirmed it to be 2270kg, (braked towing capacity) and adequate for his caravan towing needs.The soft-roader will make a big impression on the city streets, there is no mistaking it for anything other than a Dodge.It feels good on the road and is surprisingly more nimble than its imposing body suggests. Particularly impressive is its performance on dirt roads, although the eagerness of the ESP to kick in is a little annoying.A sliding Load and Go boot top is practical, as is the hard plastic underfloor rear cargo bin.The Nitro is nothing outstanding on the road, but it is a genuine, solid vehicle with its greatest asset being its distinctive looks. 

A Chinese link may help Chrysler hatch a plan to bring the Dodge Hornet to Australia. DaimlerChrysler is believed to be close to announcing a joint-venture deal with Chinese carmaker Chery Motors, that will see its hot Hornet hatch concept turn into a production reality.However, Chrysler Australia Group managing director, Gerry Jenkins, says the Chery talks are ongoing and nothing firm has been decided.But he would definitely like to have the Hornet in local showrooms. "We'd love to have it because there is a huge appetite for these B-segment cars," Jenkins says.However, despite having his fingers crossed that the Chery deal will go ahead, he is wary of speculation."Unfortunately there's nothing definitive at this point," he says.Jenkins says Chery's decision to build the car for China could enhance the car's prospects for Australia."But I can't really give you a time-frame," he says. "There isn't anything official at this point. I can only really speculate that it's in the foreseeable future."He says a car the size of the Hornet would be ideal for the Dodge brand, which is still in its infancy here."That sub-$20,000 market is an interesting market and I'd love to be able to play in it," Jenkins says. He also believes the Hornet would present a good value proposition for a first-time Chrysler-Dodge buyer.The Hornet was first shown as a concept at last year's Geneva motor show. Its compact, modern design was specifically tailored to the ultra-competitive European light car segment. The showcar is powered by a rear drive supercharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine developing 128kW mated to a six-speed manual. Its size, engine and looks clearly aims the Hornet at the Mini Cooper.Chrysler also has the Demon sports car;  a hit at the Geneva show. Jenkins says the company is now in the process of putting a business case together for production of the car.“I have my fingers crossed on that one as well,” he says.And if the Demon gets the nod, it will be aimed right at the Mazda MX5. 

DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, the finance and insurance division for Dodge, says the offer is open to all buyers whatever their insurance history. A male driver with clean insurance history choosing standard excess could save between $1400 and $3600 through the scheme. The higher figure represents nearly 10 per cent of the purchase price with the car starting at $36,990. The free insurance offer has also been extended to people who buy Dodge's other SUV, the Caliber. The Nitro will be available with either a 3.7-litre V6 petrol or a 2.8-litre, four cylinder turbo diesel engine. It arrives in showrooms in July. Pay to much for car insurance? Tell us what you think.

The Dodge Nitro might not be as imposing as the bigger SUVs or four-wheel-drives that muscle their way through traffic but it still has a presence and imposing air.For the image-conscious it definitely qualifies as a macho machine but importantly for those looking for economy it won't be so crippling at the bowser.Nitro designer Tim Anness said the M80 project began life in January 2001 as a drawing of a pick-up for a concept vehicle.“We then also looked at an SUV and it was popular,” he said.“Research came back that the front end looked too much like a Jeep with its rounded headlights, so we changed to the square ones.”The Nitro features the iconic Dodge crosshair grille with the Dodge rams head in the centre.The chrome grille has been stretched from corner to corner, including squared-off lights, with fat fenders extending further and a clamshell hood or bonnet on top. The effect is all macho.Nitro is not timid with technology, either — it is very intuitive.The Dodge Nitro is well-versed in digital entertainment and communication technologies, including MP3, CD, DVD, USB, VES (for Video Entertainment System), and a new one, MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System.MyGIG includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive where music and photos can be stored.Chrysler Group's Australian managing director Gerry Jenkins said: “The Dodge Nitro has a wide range of potential customers ranging from mid-sized SUV buyers through to Falcon and Commodore owners looking for something different.“The Nitro is certainly fresh with macho good looks, it has 'get outta my way styling' and a kick-ass turbo diesel option that would be particularly attractive to buyers with a price tag that would surprise and delight.”Among the vehicle's standard equipment are electronic stability program, electronic roll mitigation, all-speed traction control, brake assist, advanced anti-lock brakes and side-curtain airbags.The Dodge Nitro will be available standard with a 3.7-litre V6 mated to a four-speed automatic, while the 2.8-litre common rail turbo diesel engine will come standard with a five-speed automatic.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

The name switch is plausible and likely to receive greater attention here considering the four-door Charger is a no-goer for Australia.This is Chrysler's brightest year in Australia for some time although its future has become uncertain with the split this week from the Daimler corporation.Seven Chrysler Group products, from Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, are to be launched here in total this year. The third model, the Chrysler Sebring, was launched last week and will be available in showrooms from next month.But all of them would pale against the possibility of the return of the Charger.The original Charger, which has a permanent place in the Australian lexicon with its "Hey, Charger" advertising campaign, was sold here between 1971 and 1978.The most famous was the 1972 Bathurst supercar R/T E49 modelThe Sebring will join the Jeep Compass SUV and Wrangler four-wheel-drive series, which was launched in March. Next on the list for Australia is the Dodge Nitro, which is based on the Jeep Cherokee but without a low-range gearbox. This will also arrive here in June and will fall in the mid to high $30,000 range.It will be followed closely by the Sebring-based Dodge Avenger in July, which will carry a price tag just below the Sebring, which starts at $33,990.In August, the more offroad-savvy Jeep Patriot will go on sale. It shares some similarities with the Compass, coming off this platform and also carrying a price tag around the same as the Compass, which ranges from $32,490 to $40,490.The line-up will be rounded off by the Sebring folding-metal roofed convertible, in both soft-top and hard-top form. The cabrio will arrive in November or December and pricing will be released closer to the date.It may also be available in a different engine to the current 2.4-litre in the Sebring sedan.Chrysler Australia managing director, Gerry Jenkins says even though the vehicles fall into similar price ranges, it is trying to set the products up so the cars don't "cannibalise one another", offering different levels of specifications and pricing.Early in 2008, the new Voyager people mover will make an appearance here, sporting a more muscular look and a 3.8-litre V6 and diesel engines.The Sebring sedan will then have the option of a 2.7-litre V6 and a diesel.The V6 may even come with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission.Jenkins says that with all the new product, the company is aiming to increase its sales in Australia from the 9000 vehicles sold last year to about 13,000 vehicles this year. This will be a steady growth from the 6500 vehicles sold just two years ago.He says the company is anticipating 2008 to be a much quieter year in product release, although he says there will still be some new offerings from these American brands.

  The 1969 car, known in the series as the “General Lee” and the nemesis of Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane in numerous chase scenes, was auctioned by actor John Schneider, who played Bo Duke in the long-running show. It is believed to be the second highest price ever paid for a car at auction after that of a 1931 Bugatti that was sold by Christie's in 1987 for $US11 million ($A13.4 million). Schneider is believed to have sold the highly modified Dodge to finance his latest film. Dukes of Hazzard screened for seven seasons between 1979 and 1985. The inspiration for the hit TV series was a 1975 film called The Moonrunners, written and directed by Gy  Waldron. The film was about a closely knit family determined to produce and sell moonshine despite stiff competition and marauding federal agents. Afterwards Waldron, who hails from the deep south, put together a proposal for a TV series loosely based on the script. The Dodge Charger was chosen for the role of the General Lee as it was well known to NASCAR fans in the southern state of Georgia, where it was filmed. It was painted bright orange, the number 01 added and a Confederate flag also added to the roof. The General Lee was billed as a 1969 Dodge Charger with a 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 and an A-727 automatic transmission. The cars used in the series apparently underwent surprisingly few modifications for their screen role. Each was fitted with a four-barrel Holley carburettor, aluminium intake manifold, and stiffer shocks and springs to firm up the handling, with inner tubes added to tyres as a precaution. The doors of the cars (there was more than one General Lee) were welded shut to stop them springing open and the parking brake lock removed so hand brake turns could be performed. The sealed doors explain why Bo and Luke were always seen sliding in and out of the windows. Interestingly, much of the driving we see Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) doing was actually performed by the actors. Schneider, in fact, attended the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. Any time the script called for the General to leave the ground, however, stunt doubles were called in. Many hours were spent planning chase sequences. The cars often became airborne and to keep them level during jumps, lead ballast was added to the boot to stop them nose diving. Legend has it that the General Lee's musical horn was the result of a chance discovery. A production crew on their way to a shoot passed a car with a horn that tooted the first 12 notes of Dixie. To cut a long story short, they chased after the driver and offered him cash for the horn which was removed on the spot. It turned out later that the same horn could be readily obtained through the J C Whitney catalogue, but the crew wanted it right away for filming. Quite a few cars were wrecked during filming of the show and so it had an almost insatiable appetite for replacements. Legend has it that more than 300 Dodge Chargers were wrecked during the filming of the show.

Some will regard this collection of big rectangles as just about as good as it gets. Others will recall a child's crayon drawing of a car."Dardge" -- as the Americans pronounce it -- make no bones that this ostensible SUV is essentially a life-support system for phat 20-inch rims and various bling packages.It's a brash boulevard bully with little more off-road application than a soft-roader, one in which show is more a priority than go.Weighing in from 1780kg to just under 1900kg, kit and tranny depending, Australian-spec Nitros get either a 3.7 petrol V6 or a 2.8 turbo diesel four, which serves these days in everything from Jeep's Compass to Mercedes-Benz's ML.The two oilers we sampled in Spain last week came with either a six-speed manual or an auto five. The latter box is the choice over an uncertain stick shift whose throw -- especially to fifth and sixth gear -- was not so much long as Olympian.But then the diesel's loud and gravelly note would reckon poorly with the doof-doof sounds pouring from an up-spec SXT model with, say, a pimped out white-body, darkened-windows and chrome crosshair grille.The Nitro's cabin is the best of the three new-gen Dodge models we've seen, faint praise though that may seem. Simple and functional, there is none of the grey plastics that mar the Caliber and Avenger, rather there's decent dark leather and bits of brushed aluminium.The MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System includes one of the best sat-nav systems we've met -- smart enough to identify and announce road names and route numbers.The sound system can store 100 hours of music, which, with its resonant clarity and volume, would suit it for any outdoor rave. The driver's seat is electronically adjustable, yet the steering wheel moves only up and down giving an uncomfortable position.While the Nitro's driverly considerations seem largely beside the point, it is not an unrewarding experience to push on inviting roads. The Nitro is powered through the rear-wheels, with mildly back-axle biased all-wheel-drive selectable via a switch.Ride on the phat tyres is unruffled, although European roads are not ours. The Nitro emulates some aspects of Jeep's products, including excessive wind noise at speed. It will attract a different buyer to the Wrangler or Cherokee.Given its outer appeal, the Dodge at about $38,000 could cause some discomfort to GM's Hummer, which arrives here a month later and a price point north of $50K. A case of the Lion or the Ram.

You'd want something fairly ferocious with a moniker like Avenger, wouldn't you? Something on massive rims that comes, preferably, in translucent black. Something in which your Marvel comic hero might rip about his rounds, making evildoers quake.Well, the Avenger is distinctive enough all right, if not quite the affront to design decency that some have unkindly suggested.And it does smite you squarely between the peepers.This is a wholly deliberate tactic, for Dodge's notion is to rough up the polite, quietly spoken denizens of the mid-size sedan segment.So beware Honda Accords, Mazda 6 and even Camry/Aurion. Shiver, Volkswagen Jetta — not least because Dodge has the temerity to use your TDI engine in its diesel variant.This bigger, even brasher brother of Dodge's Caliber is a sort of mini-muscle car, although the long front overhang on which the trademark crosshair grille is perched removes any doubt that this Ram is driven through the front, not the back, wheels.It drags a high-set bum that's spared comparison with the Accord Euro's abrupt butt only by a bulbous rear bumper, though comparison with any Japanese car seems misplaced.Even the glasshouse looks tough, the side windows meeting the C-pillar in an angular collision of glass, plastic and metal that looks singular (and conspires to rob rear vision).The Avenger's particularly unattractive optional spoiler is sure to be popular among those drawn to a car that's cast from a whole different mould to the mid-size mass. If unresolved is one word for its design, another is unadulterated.The Avenger will exercise its allure on those who can't rise to a Chrysler 300C but have a craving for a throbbing chunk of Americana. Or Amerikana, if you go for the model with the VW/Audi engine.Within, such trappings as leather trim on the top-spec diesel and V6 petrol versions (unsurprisingly, the only models available to us on Thursday in Seville) won't disguise the Avenger's sub-Kia cabin — a desert of hard, grey plastics topped by a roof lining that feels flimsily fitted.These contrast starkly with fruity fixtures such as temperature-adjustable cup holders and a multimedia entertainment system that, among its various tricks, can play movies to rear-seat passengers and store 100 hours of music.The best entry-level price in the segment is promised for the stripper two-litre, four-cylinder petrol model when the Avenger is launched locally in late July. It will be joined by a 2.4-litre petrol four and the 2.0 TDI.The 2.7 V6 follows near year's end, along with an automatic version of the till-then-six-speed manual diesel.Mid-size slayers though they're built up to be, Avengers start out north of 1500kg and rise to 1560kg in the diesel. Falcodore heavy, really.They're not hares off the line: the auto-only V6 reaches 100km/h in a claimed nine seconds — a good second and a half faster than the petrol or diesel fours.Not so long ago, big family sedans were of the Avenger's dimensions. Just 20mm short of five metres long and 1843mm wide, it's a genuine five-seater.The 438-litre boot's utility is boosted by 60/40 split folding rear seats and — unusually for a saloon — the front passenger seat folds flat. Why the space saver spare, then?By the time of the V6 Avenger's Australian debut, it will hopefully have acquired an automatic with the cogs to match its pots.Yet as inadequate as the four-speed version we drove on Thursday was, this Avenger was a spirited performer, climbing with vigour and responsiveness through the Andalusian mountains.Nose-heavy understeer is as tame as it is inevitable, but there is much to be extracted on the safe side of that.With decently weighted steering married to a flat, composed stance through bends, only the Avenger's displacement would keep it from staying with the class-leading Mazda 6.The Avenger, though, has superior NVH and ride — at least on first-world roads that have never been afflicted by the RTA. If this spec is designed for European rather than American tastes, Dodge has done as much work on the Avenger's chassis as on the sheet metal.A brief go at the diesel served to show mainly that the Yanks can barely be bothered doing stick.The shift was sloppy, the clutch doughy, and the elsewhere excellent engine couldn't move the Avenger with the same torqueative authority with which it shoves along the Jetta.If this sedan is class-leading in few respects — least of all in terms of cabin ambience or economy — it won't be mistaken for anything else on the road.In that respect — the reason for which Dodge developed the thing — the Avenger is in a class apart.And in black, it may even frighten a few felons.