Mr. Kreuger, your SUV is ready They're the manliest carmaker on earth- with unapologetic styling and products named after actions or devices intended to injure, maim or destroy. These include the Ram, Caliber, Viper, Magnum and now, the l
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| (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
atest, the Nitro. Plain and simple, the Dodge lineup packs more bad attitude than anyone else on the market. Most of their stuff wouldn't look out of place cruising the streets of Grand Theft Auto leaving behind mayhem, destruction and explosions.Their newest is a mid-sized SUV for the macho-man in you. It stands tall and proud with a blocky and capable look accented by exaggerated fender flares and a fascia treatment that frightens small children. It's typical ostentatious, outlandish Dodge styling at its finest- with a craggy look which drew crowds in parking lots and gas stations, and even garnered thumbs up from passing Durango and Ram owners. Young or old, the Nitro's street-smart looks grab attention like nothing else for the price. The street is only a part of where the Nitro's story plays out though. With plenty of ground clearance and all-terrain tires fitted from the factory, there's enough hardware to ignite the inner child that loves to go splashing around through puddles and mucking around in mud bogs. If you ever wore a tank-top and camouflage face paint at 8 years old while flexing in the mirror, you're going to love this truck.
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| (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
Underhood, the tester carried the 3.7 litre V6 with 210 horsepower and 235 pounds of torque. Attached to a four-speed automatic transmission, the mill provides adequate grunt off the line and for passing, though another ratio or two would be welcomed. The computer cuts the throttle between gears to provide crisp feeling shifts, and there is a tow/haul mode selectable, though no manual mode. A six-speed manual gearbox is available too, which is awesome. The engine emits a deep snort with every stab of the throttle, and though it gets winded and noisy at higher rpms, a 4.0 litre V6 mill is available for RT designated models.A four wheel drive system is optionally installed to maximize the Nitro's capability when the roads get rough or snowy with a console mounted knob locking the system into 4x4 mode thus enhancing traction on slippery surfaces. Out on some trails and through ruts, the Nitro impresses. The suspension is composed even when nearing airborne status over moguls, and the whole setup articulates well over obstacles with confidence. The clearance and large-ish wheels allow drivers to tackle even fairly deep mud-ruts with confidence, and over deeply gouged trails it's a smooth roughness if such a
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| (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
thing exists. The very lower edge of the bumper is clad with a piece of plastic trim- one which affords the low, menacing look required by the Nitro but is far less expensive to replace than the entire bumper should contact be made with an obstacle. One concern is that the ESP system cannot be fully disabled- meaning that in many cases the wheelspin needed to carry the machine through a sloppy mess simply isn't available as the driver and CPU are constantly at battle. In extreme cases, applying heavy throttle actually slows the vehicle down.