Nitro is Dodge's Almost Midsize Future
With the "midsize" Durango bordering on full-size, there's a lot of room for growth in the sport utility segment within Dodge. To make this point
clearer still, most competitive brands offer compact and midsize models, with some even featuring two SUVs in each class, one car-based, optimizing road-holding, and the other truck-based, designed for off-road utility. Case in point: Nissan offers the midsize Murano crossover SUV as well as the Pathfinder, Toyota takes care of glorified wagon buyers with its Highlander and off-roaders with its 4Runner, and the list goes on. This scenario in mind, Dodge could potentially add up to five new models to its sport utility lineup without even entering the full-size segment.
If you were wondering when the execs behind the Chrysler Group division would take advantage of the equity instilled in the Ram brand and expand its SUV the lineup, the time is upon us. It's already no secret that a compact SUV is forthcoming, based on the
next-generation SX 2.0 (Neon), dubbed Caliber, but what about a compact to midsize model, smaller than the Durango? With North America seemingly on a downsizing trend, such a move makes a great deal of sense. Enter the Dodge Nitro, first shown in concept form in February's Chicago auto show and announced as a production model on Wednesday at the California International Auto Show.
"We expect Dodge Nitro to do very well in Canada where our customers value affordability and distinctive style," said Mike Accavitti, Vice President Marketing, DaimlerChrysler Canada. "Dodge Nitro is not your typical midsize SUV. Its Dodge attitude and five- passenger utility set it apart from the generic midsize SUVs on the market."
Now given the go-ahead as a 2007 model, which means it will most likely become available for sale late next year, the Nitro is to be the brand's first midsize SUV. Unlike the Durango, the Nitro is designed to carry only five occupants and their cargo, more similar in size to a stretched Jeep Liberty SUV, which makes sense being that it rides on an elongated version of the popular off-roader's chassis architecture, with 102 mm (4.0 inches) added to the Liberty's overall length, 38 mm (1.5 inches) to its width and 102 mm (4.0 inches) to the concept's wheelbase, for more rear seat and cargo space, plus will share the smaller Jeep's drivetrain configurations.
With the "midsize" Durango bordering on full-size, there's a lot of room for growth in the sport utility segment within Dodge. To make this point
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| With all the new classes available in the SUV market, Dodge is looking to add another to its lineup. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
If you were wondering when the execs behind the Chrysler Group division would take advantage of the equity instilled in the Ram brand and expand its SUV the lineup, the time is upon us. It's already no secret that a compact SUV is forthcoming, based on the
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| The Nitro will be Dodge's first midsize SUV when it becomes available next year. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
"We expect Dodge Nitro to do very well in Canada where our customers value affordability and distinctive style," said Mike Accavitti, Vice President Marketing, DaimlerChrysler Canada. "Dodge Nitro is not your typical midsize SUV. Its Dodge attitude and five- passenger utility set it apart from the generic midsize SUVs on the market."
Now given the go-ahead as a 2007 model, which means it will most likely become available for sale late next year, the Nitro is to be the brand's first midsize SUV. Unlike the Durango, the Nitro is designed to carry only five occupants and their cargo, more similar in size to a stretched Jeep Liberty SUV, which makes sense being that it rides on an elongated version of the popular off-roader's chassis architecture, with 102 mm (4.0 inches) added to the Liberty's overall length, 38 mm (1.5 inches) to its width and 102 mm (4.0 inches) to the concept's wheelbase, for more rear seat and cargo space, plus will share the smaller Jeep's drivetrain configurations.