When Fiat and Chrysler tied the knot, we knew that the brands would extensively share products, parts, and platforms. Cases in point include almost the entirety of the Lancia brand, the Maserati Kubang SUV, and the Ram version of the Fiat Doblo van. Most critical as far as Chrysler is concerned is this replacement for the outclassed Dodge Caliber compact car, which will use a stretched and widened version of Fiat’s C-Evo platform. Three months ago, we caught a Dodge mule wearing Alfa body panels; these new spy photos show it moving closer to production, with its own stampings and a look at an undisguised front end. (Excepting the missing headlamps, of course.)
The fully exposed front of the prototype provides us our first look at how the Italian bones will be Dodged up. Dodge’s trademark crosshair grille sits high with a mesh-filled intake below, and a thick, contrasting black bar separates the two. LED running lights aren’t apparent here, but given that seemingly every new vehicle sports the bright bulbs, it’s a fair guess that they’re incorporated into the MIA headlamp clusters. While not looking exactly like either, the overall effect reminds us of the latest Hyundai Elantra and the pre-face-lift Volkswagen CC.
The profile of the Dodge has a sharply raked, distinctly Alfa-esque character line unseen on any of the brand’s current products; it also reminds of recent small Fords. It’s worth noting that the photos show a sedan, a body style that wasn’t offered to Caliber buyers, which was all five-door, all the time. It’s unknown if the new car also will be offered as a hatchback.
Unfortunately, there’s little else to glean from the shots of the prototype. The likeliest candidate for the engine under the open hood is a turbocharged version of Fiat’s 1.4-liter four-cylinder making either 135 or 170 hp. We do know that it will hook to a ZF-designed nine-speed automatic transmission. Fiat’s 235-hp, 1.8-liter turbo four is another possibility, perhaps motivating a next-gen SRT4 were one to come to fruition. Finally, a version of Chrysler’s current 2.0-liter four fitted with Fiat’s Multiair valve-lift system also is a possibility, we’re told.
A further mystery is the car’s name. Early speculation pegged it as reviving the “Hornet” moniker applied to a five-year-old Dodge concept, although we’re fairly sure that won’t happen. Whatever the Dodge is called, it will face stiff competition when it arrives next year as a 2013 model, including the excellent new Ford Focus and the sales champ Chevrolet Cruze.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
0 comments:
Post a Comment