Another SUV for Dodge? It's About Time!Does it really make sense for Chrysler Group to be doubling its sport utility lineup amidst the most severe gas crisis since the mid-'70s?
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| Steven Landry, then Vice President, Dodge Marketing and now President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Canada, confirmed production of the Dodge Nitro midsize SUV for the 2007 model year at the California International Auto Show on October 5, 2005 (Nitro Concept shown). (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Auburn Hills certainly thinks it does, and with a track record that includes some of the most intriguing new models to come along in decades, you might want to think twice before betting against them.
Altogether, Chrysler Group, made up of the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands, will introduce at least five new SUVs within the next two to three years, as part of a new initiative internally called "Full Throttle". The domestic automaker sees segment opportunities that it is not yet taking advantage of, some of which include a full-size Chrysler sport utility, a couple of new Jeep models, and even one or more under the Dodge label.
We've already seen some of these debut in production trim, while concepts
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| The new Nitro is dimensionally on-target for a downsizing SUV segment. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
of most have shown up recently too. Starting with Chrysler, its new 2007 Aspen moves the brand into uncharted territories, and by that I don't only mean the land of sport utility vehicles, but also into a new much higher level of refinement, especially regarding interior fit, finish and materials quality. At the other end of the spectrum Jeep's Compass is a car-based crossover set to introduce the brand to a younger, less adventurous clientele that will also more than likely include more female buyers. Jeep may also offer its more rugged looking Patriot concept in production trim, also based on the same chassis architecture as the Compass.
And what about Dodge? While the brand has been awaiting a compact SUV
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| The Nitro is Dodge's first true midsize SUV, unless you count the previous generation Durango. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
since time immemorial, it'll have to wait a little longer, or so it seems. The next Ram-branded SUV will be the subject of this preview, the midsize Nitro that shares its underpinnings, however loosely, on Jeep's off-road worthy Liberty. While not a compact, which are so popular right now, the Nitro is Dodge's first true midsize SUV, unless you count the previous generation Durango which, based off of the midsize Dakota pickup truck of the time, was touted as a midsize SUV when launched and throughout its tenure. Am I the only one confused here? Oh well, the Nitro, whether Dodge's first or second midsize sport utility, will nevertheless be smaller than even the old Durango, and much more manageable in and around town than the current one.
Where the Liberty is cute and sassy, and by be being so has attracted a fair
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| Where the Liberty features curves and circles, the Nitro is angled and square. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
number of women to the Jeep family, the Nitro's image is all brawn and bravado. Where the Liberty features curves and circles, the Nitro is angled and square. Personally, I like it... I like it a lot. Fortunately, as with most Chrysler Group concepts that get the transformation into production vehicles, it's difficult to see much difference from prototype to finished product. While such would seem to be the smartest way to go about developing a successful new model, I find it surprising that some automakers still show a concept in order to gauge public reaction, and when that reaction is favourable, go ahead and build something that is so unlike the concept that the public is (shock) not interested. Again, not so with the Nitro.
