Dodge Phoenix Reviews

"I find it a little dark and disturbing," offers one fairytale character on a focus group in a clever American TV commercial for the car.That may be a little strong, but Dodge Australia boss Gerry Jenkins knows that the Caliber is not for everyone. "Dodge is bigger than Chrysler and Jeep combined in the States. It is a product icon like Coca-Cola, Levi's or Harley-Davidson."The Caliber has launched with a pair of four-cylinder engines — a 110kW 1.8-litre unit coupled to a five-speed manual and a 115kW 2.0-litre driving through a CVT automatic.There are three trim levels currently available: the entry-level ST; mid-range SX, and the range-topping SXT. Prices range from $23,990 for the ST 1.8-litre manual to $29,990 for the 2.0-litre SXT CVT.A 127kW 2.4-litre engine will be available later this year in the sportier R/T model. The range will be completed at the same time with the arrival of a 2.0-litre turbo diesel.Built only at the Belvidere plant in Illinois in both left-hand and right-hand drive for more than 100 markets worldwide, supply of the Caliber is likely to be restrained for the foreseeable future."We will be getting as many as we can but realistically the expectation is for 2500 sales between now and the end of next year," Dodge's general manager for national sales, Brad Fitzsimmons, says."The Caliber has all the fuel economy benefits of a small car combined with the best bits of a compact SUV."Trim levels and inclusions in the Caliber are commensurate with the price but the choice of materials is disappointing. All touch surfaces, other than the seats, are made of hard-feel plastic, which immediately conveys a "budget" feel.Dual front and side-curtain airbags are standard, as is a one-touch power window for the driver, heated folding power mirrors, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, remote keyless entry, a drink chiller bin in the dash and a neat flip-up phone or iPod holder in the centre armrest.In the ST, fabric seats, 17-inch steel wheels and 60/40 split-fold rear seat is standard fare.The SX trim adds reclining rear seats, a fold-flat passenger seat, six-disc CD changer, driver's seat height adjustment and 17-inch alloy wheels.With the SXT, standard trim also includes leather heated front seats, multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, front fog lamps, chrome grille treatment and additional interior brightwork.Carrying on the fun theme, the accessory packs include a pair of drop-down rear speakers in the tailgate capable of taking care of any serenity that may be found at a remote picnic spot.Mechanically, the Caliber package is a two-steps-forward, one-step-back proposition.All models sit on the same architecture — a well-proven independent strut with coil spring over gas shocks front end and multi-link rear with link-type stabiliser bar, coil springs and gas shocks.The car's "tall" styling and raised ride height (195mm clearance) lean it towards a degree of body roll in cornering but it quickly settles. Ride quality is at the better end of the scale, particularly on highway surfaces where it is solid and quiet.Mid-corner bumps can unsettle the suspension and there is a degree of kick-back through the wheel but none of it is at a particularly disturbing level.You can save time when shopping for the Caliber by putting a line straight through the 1.8-litre offering.It may be the only engine offered with the manual box and, on paper, its performance data doesn't seem to give that much away to the 2.0-litre. Don't believe it. It is, quite simply, a disappointing and frustrating package, serving to make the 2.0-litre CVT appear an oustanding option. That 5kW and 12Nm can make as much difference as this does is a poster lesson in why matching engine and gearbox is crucial.For an additional $2500 in SX and SXT — you can't get the CVT or the 2.0-litre in ST trim — the benefits are enormous.Without destroying an impressive fuel economy (8.4l/100km on the test) the CVT package provides enthusiastic delivery, mid-corner urge and the ability to attack slight slopes without dropping back to third gear.Inside, apart from the aforementioned first impression of budget surroundings, the Caliber has little to hang its head about.Space is quite good, with reasonable knee and headroom in the rear — generous in the front — and only a minor complaint about difficulty with entry and exit to the rear.Vision is not great: large A-pillars and a small rear window are the main offenders.Most controls come easily to hand although the phone and iPod holder is a nuisance when deployed and offers a better environment when tucked away.The sins of the manual, meanwhile, are compounded by the lack of a left footrest for the driver and the consequent painful annoyance of having the hard, sharpish edge of the centre dash console gouging the outside of the leg.The sound system is good and there are plenty of storage pockets. Luggage space is adequate and access good but again, use of hard plastics — justified as a wash-out choice for active lifestyles — showed wear and tear from luggage wheels with a few hours' use.Different? Yes. Desirable? To the character set, it will be irresistible. The question is, will there be enough characters to make Dodge's return to Australia a warm one.TIMELINEDodge in Australia1915: The first Dodge imports brought to Australia by Adelaide's Cheyney Motor Car Company. Soon after, local assembly is begun by T.J. Richards and Sons with some imported as components and other bodies made in Australia.1937: A group of independent Dodge and Chrysler importers buys a controlling interest in T.J. Richards and renames the company Richards Industries.1941: Dodge-Chrysler assembly lines build parts for the Australian war effort.1947: Company name changed to Chrysler Dodge DeSoto Distributors Ltd.1951: Chrysler Dodge DeSoto Distributors reach agreement with the Chrysler Corporation of Detroit to manufacture complete vehicles in Australia. Chrysler Australia Ltd is formed.1960-72: The Dodge Phoenix is assembled by Chrysler Australia.1976: Last Dodge ute assembled by Chrysler Australia.2006: Dodge Caliber returns the Dodge badge to Australia

The Caliber will be the hero car on the stand for the American brand, which is part of the DaimlerChrysler empire worldwide.In Australia, Dodge will be on the road as a car brand - for the first time since the death of the Phoenix in the 1970s - alongside the Chrysler and Jeep line-ups.The Caliber (above) has high-rider looks but is actually pitched against compact cars including the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus.It will be on sale in the third quarter of 2006 after its preview at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre."We're letting the cat out of the bag a bit earlier than normal so people can see the Caliber," says the managing director of Chrysler Jeep Australia, Jerry Jenkins."We want to get aggressive - even though it won't be launched until the third quarter of the year."The Caliber at the show is a bright, burnt orange with a petrol engine but Dodge will also include diesel power for local sales and will be pushing the technology in the company.Jenkins believes there is plenty of potential for the Caliber and the vehicles that will follow."We are looking to establish a brand that's young and mobile and a bit alternative. And a bit macho," Jenkins says.There will only be one Dodge at the show, because production of the Caliber does not even begin until April. But Jenkins says there will be plenty of action in coming years."Soon after the Caliber we will have the Dodge Nitro. Towards the end of 2007 there will be a third car and by early 2008 there should be four Dodges sold in Australia," Jenkins reveals."They will have the same bold style and a signature grille you will see on the Caliber. The disposition is very macho, very masculine."That will be both inside and outside, with big wheels and fender flares. We're also striving to have best-in-class engine performance."While Dodge is only just firing, Chrysler is doing well in Australia and the motor show stand will feature the heavyweight 300C and the Crossfire sporties."The next two years are going to be extremely busy for the whole Chrysler Jeep family. If the reaction to the 300C is any indication, it's all going to be extremely positive," Jenkins says.

It is trumpeted as a potential rival for everything from the Subaru Forester to the Volkswagen Golf, with a macho body which could only have come out of America. But the Caliber is more than a car - it also signals the return of the Dodge brand to Australia.It will be part of the Chrysler Jeep family and sales will begin later this year, with the seven-seater Dodge Nitro to follow in 2007.Dodge cars have not been sold in Australia since the 1970s but the head of Chrysler Jeep Australia, Gerry Jenkins, believes it could have a big future. "Dodge is in-your-face, unapologetically macho and unapologetically American," Jenkins says."Dodge also sits nicely alongside Chrysler. There is an appetite for edgy, exciting products that is currently not being filled in Australia."The Caliber is a compact sedan wrapped in a body with four-wheel drive style and is believed to be a much better fit down under than the unsuccessful Neon sedan, which could never match the price or quality of Japanese and Korean cars.It has a classy combination of equipment, including a nine-speaker sound system with a drop-down panel - with twin rear speakers - which flips down out of the rear hatch for outdoor entertainment.Mechanically, it will come with three engine powertrain choices - 1.8 litre petrol manual with 106 kiloWatts, 2-litre petrol with 100 kiloWatts and a constantly-variable transmission, and a 2-litre diesel further into the future.The big question is still to be answered, but Chrysler Jeep is working on a tight price."We haven't locked in the starting price yet but I can tell you it will start in the mid $30,000s," Jenkins says.He believes the Dodge deal will help to drive future growth in the Chrysler Jeep franchise, which lifted its local results by 13 per cent to 7300 vehicles last year.The 2006 group total is 9000, rising to 10,000 and beyond in 2007.

Michigan Ave is a patchwork quilt of decrepit bitumen, cement and bricks. It is littered with some of the most enormous car-swallowing potholes you will ever see.Despite being sprung on the sporty side, the Dodge Charger R/T's suspension happily soaked up most of the irregularities, giving a very comfortable and quiet ride.The cruise down the avenue to the bridge that takes motorists to Canada normally takes about 20 minutes, according to a local, but as is common in a foreign country we got lost and despite all best efforts to go over the bridge, we somehow ended up right in the heart of the city.While probably not an unusual sight, the Charger still attracted some attention as we fumbled our way through the dingy streets and back towards the river.We were grateful Dodge had equipped this particular R/T with the optional satellite navigation and we followed the map to the water before driving head first into a tunnel.Just a few minutes later we emerged at the other end and pulled up at passport control where we handed over our documents and a small fee. After being asked a series of questions about why we were visiting Canada, what we planned to do there, how long we would spend there and what we were doing in Detroit, our passports were handed back with not even a stamp for all our trouble.From the moment the key was turned and the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 rumbled into action, it was always tempting the driver to floor it to hear that raw, aggressive tone.Despite being the same engine that is under the bonnet of the Chrysler 300C, the Charger's note has been tuned to excite. The car was a lot more refined than first expected despite its muscle-car heritage.The power-operated and heated (optional) front seats were a treat on this windy, drizzly 4C day. Getting out to photograph the car was a chilling experience.The R/T has 250kW of power at 5000rpm and 530Nm of torque at 4000rpm and is responsive as soon as the foot hits the right pedal. The five-speed automatic, which enables manual shifting, was smooth and never left hunting. The R/T's standard 18-inch (46cm) wheels gave it a good solid feel on the road, a little unusual in comparison to many American offerings. The optional sunroof did little to brighten up the car, with the dreary fog allowing little light into the cabin.The rear-wheel drive R/T is set with a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution for balance and traction and in the wet weather there was virtually no wheel spin on take-off.The R/T is equipped with huge discs, lightweight aluminium calipers, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist on all four wheels. There were no opportunities to take the Charger on some nice twisty stretches of road but there is no doubt this cruiser is well-equipped for rolling the streets.After spending some time admiring the Canadian side of the river, braving the elements to get that "I was there" snapshot, it was time to head back over to the US.This time there was no mistaking the route, with huge signs that almost begged you to return "to the USA". Passport control quizzed returning motorists on all facets of life before allowing us to proceed to the cashier to once again pay for the privilege of driving back over Lake Eire to the US.A few crossed fingers and we had found our way back on to Michigan Ave and back to the surrounding suburb of Dearborn.Back at the carpark, the key was reluctantly handed to the Chrysler rep and thoughts turned to the possibility that someday this American muscle car will join the rest of the Chrysler clan Down Under.