- A special edition Mopar Caliber has been released by Dodge in South Africa.
- For the equivalent of $37,000, buyers will get a Caliber equipped with a cold-air intake, exhaust, lowering springs, Mopar decals and a set of 18-inch wheels.
- Specific output figures have yet to be released.
ZWARTKOP, South Africa — Chrysler of South Africa has launched a special version of the 2011 Dodge Caliber called the Mopar Edition.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine gets a little extra kick, thanks to the addition of a new exhaust system and a cold-air intake. Specific output figures weren't released, but it is sure to get a few more horses compared to the stock 154-horsepower powerplant.
"Chrysler has identified with a specific market niche — a group of drivers that have a passion for performance hatchbacks. To address this need, we have delivered the racy Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition, which we believe will go a long way to satisfy the 'boy racer' in all of us," said Chrysler about the special Caliber.
A set of black 18-inch powder-coated alloys is also installed, and work with a 2-inch lowering kit to improve the car's stance. Hood stripes as well as a set of decals down the side of the compact Dodge make the exterior a little sportier.
The Mopar Edition will soon be available at dealerships in South Africa, and starts at the U.S. dollar equivalent of $37,000.
Inside Line says: A cool little special edition Caliber that will surely appeal to the younger crowd. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent
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neusp33d2 says:
10:01 PM, 05/19/2011
A car like this has no business charging even half of $37K. Chrysler needs to kill these past gen duds and come out with a Civic and Focus beater (albeit highly unlikely...sigh).
litewerk says:
04:44 PM, 05/18/2011
I can't think of any reason that they couldn't offer the same car for the U.S. It would not be $37K. Would think it could be in the 19-21K range, or maybe less, if offered here. Would be nice if you could get some of the (discontinued) SRT/4 bits as MOPAR accesssory add-ons (at extra cost). When you consider that this car competes against Civic, Corolla, Mazda3, Focus, Elantra, and others, it offers agressive styling with added versatility compared to the others. Have to admit that a sport edition Caliber like that has some appeal to me.
While it had no appeal to me when it first came out in 2007, it definitely has grown on me where I might kinda like it. See them around every day. Reading on another forum that some real Caliber owners with both a stick or CVT can and do average 29-30 mpg combined. My understanding is that this car will be replaced within about a year with an all-new model. Wouldn't hurt them to offer a sport package along these lines to move a few more units before they go away.
90in55 says:
12:36 PM, 05/17/2011
This car is sillier than that $43K GTI featured elsewhere on IL's site.
kjgood says:
07:15 AM, 05/17/2011
I was thinking this must be an April Fool's joke, but it is, after all, May. I don't pretend to know the SA car market at all, but I immediately wonder how many Calibers of the normal can't-get-out-its-own-way flavor that Chrysler sells there. Unless South African buyers are queuing up at the Chrylser dealerships for Calibers in general, and/or whining for a mildly pumped up version, this seems like a strong candidate for the "Pointless Car of 2011" award.
scottyscooter says:
04:10 AM, 05/17/2011
$37,000 for a weaksauce N/A Caliber? Why does Dodge hate South Africa?
dgmail says:
03:05 AM, 05/17/2011
Dodge already makes a diesel version of this car that gets 46 mpg. When are we going to see that?
But I would buy this over some over rated recalled asian brand compact .
smilez says:
05:17 PM, 05/16/2011
"ridiculous"
smilez says:
05:15 PM, 05/16/2011
openeyes -
I know my list isn't blistering or numerous as far as the vehicles that are out now or coming out, but it is rediculous to think they aren't going to bring out more upper-30/low-40 vehicles.
Just tell me you don't honestly think they are spending all of their billions of dollars on "Gas guzzling SUV's"...
er1co says:
05:03 PM, 05/16/2011
I think there are about 11 people in all of South Africa that think this is a good deal for US$37k.
smilez says:
04:41 PM, 05/16/2011
Auto Observer
"In the coming weeks, Chrysler's managing partner Fiat Automotive is pulling the trigger on a deal to refinance its government bailout loans that will result in Fiat owning 46 percent of Chrysler. The final action in Fiat's plan to gain a controlling 51-percent interest in Chrysler is tied to the company producing a vehicle in the U.S. that delivers combined fuel economy of at least 40 mpg. Fiat wants control of Chrysler this year, so the new 40-mpg vehicle - almost surely based on the Fiat 500 architecture - should be launched by the end of 2011, according to the timeline Chrysler presented today"