What is it?
2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4
What's special about it?
Believe it or not, Dodge's initial plans for the Caliber hatchback didn't call for an SRT version. This wouldn't be shocking if you didn't know the history of the previous SRT4. Turns out when the original Neon SRT4 was built, Dodge figured it could sell around 12,000 or so if things went just right. It sold twice that number.
Why that wasn't enough to convince Dodge to build an SRT version of the Neon's successor is unexplainable. Dodge eventually came around, though, allowing SRT's engineers to build yet another affordable compact car that will blow the doors off half the sports cars on the road.
Like the previous Neon SRT4 sedan, the Caliber SRT4 uses a turbocharged and intercooled 2.4-liter four-cylinder with an aluminum block and heads. It's an all-new engine that adds dual counterrotating balance shafts and variable valve timing to the spec sheet along with a higher 8.6:1 compression ratio. Max turbo boost is 13 psi.
The results are ridiculous. Try 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque between 2,000-6,000 rpm. That's 85 more horsepower than the previous SRT4 and 125 hp per liter.
Putting that kind of power down through the front wheels isn't easy. A new Getrag six-speed manual transmission handles the shifts while a standard limited-slip differential, equal-length halfshafts and 225/45R19 tires round out the driveline. We asked Herb Helbig, chief engineer for SRT, what his team did to manage torque steer. He replied, "It's a combination of the right parts and the right suspension tuning. Anything is possible if you take the time to do it right." He also mentioned that his team isn't quite finished with the development process yet. In other words, they haven't quite figured it all out yet.
Like all Calibers, the SRT4's suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a coil-spring, multilink independent setup in back. The SRT4 sits half an inch lower on revised springs and dampers. New sway bars and heavy-duty suspension knuckles were also added.
Antilock brakes are standard. The calipers were borrowed from a Chrysler 300C and the rotors are 13.4 inches in front and 11.9 inches in back. This time around the SRT4 will also include an electronic stability control system. And although Dodge claims the system "has been uniquely calibrated to provide excellent stability in all modes," we hope one of those modes is "off."
Interior modifications aren't extensive. Heavily bolstered sport seats are the most noticeable upgrade. Silver trim on the instrument panel and shift bezel are also added along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a turbo boost gauge. Options include Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, Sirius Satellite Radio and a 322-watt, 13-speaker Kicker sound system.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Dodge came out of nowhere with the original SRT4, but this time there are high expectations. So far the numbers look good, but with its on-sale date still over a year away it's going to be awhile before we can find out if the Caliber SRT4 lives up to its spec sheet. — Ed Hellwig
2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4
What's special about it?
Believe it or not, Dodge's initial plans for the Caliber hatchback didn't call for an SRT version. This wouldn't be shocking if you didn't know the history of the previous SRT4. Turns out when the original Neon SRT4 was built, Dodge figured it could sell around 12,000 or so if things went just right. It sold twice that number.
Why that wasn't enough to convince Dodge to build an SRT version of the Neon's successor is unexplainable. Dodge eventually came around, though, allowing SRT's engineers to build yet another affordable compact car that will blow the doors off half the sports cars on the road.
Like the previous Neon SRT4 sedan, the Caliber SRT4 uses a turbocharged and intercooled 2.4-liter four-cylinder with an aluminum block and heads. It's an all-new engine that adds dual counterrotating balance shafts and variable valve timing to the spec sheet along with a higher 8.6:1 compression ratio. Max turbo boost is 13 psi.
The results are ridiculous. Try 300 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque between 2,000-6,000 rpm. That's 85 more horsepower than the previous SRT4 and 125 hp per liter.
Putting that kind of power down through the front wheels isn't easy. A new Getrag six-speed manual transmission handles the shifts while a standard limited-slip differential, equal-length halfshafts and 225/45R19 tires round out the driveline. We asked Herb Helbig, chief engineer for SRT, what his team did to manage torque steer. He replied, "It's a combination of the right parts and the right suspension tuning. Anything is possible if you take the time to do it right." He also mentioned that his team isn't quite finished with the development process yet. In other words, they haven't quite figured it all out yet.
Like all Calibers, the SRT4's suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a coil-spring, multilink independent setup in back. The SRT4 sits half an inch lower on revised springs and dampers. New sway bars and heavy-duty suspension knuckles were also added.
Antilock brakes are standard. The calipers were borrowed from a Chrysler 300C and the rotors are 13.4 inches in front and 11.9 inches in back. This time around the SRT4 will also include an electronic stability control system. And although Dodge claims the system "has been uniquely calibrated to provide excellent stability in all modes," we hope one of those modes is "off."
Interior modifications aren't extensive. Heavily bolstered sport seats are the most noticeable upgrade. Silver trim on the instrument panel and shift bezel are also added along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a turbo boost gauge. Options include Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, Sirius Satellite Radio and a 322-watt, 13-speaker Kicker sound system.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Dodge came out of nowhere with the original SRT4, but this time there are high expectations. So far the numbers look good, but with its on-sale date still over a year away it's going to be awhile before we can find out if the Caliber SRT4 lives up to its spec sheet. — Ed Hellwig
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