All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro Ignites the Mid-Size SUV Segment

Dodge brings its ???Grab Life by the Horns??? attitude to the mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with the introduction of the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro. The five-passenger Nitro features bold, aggressive styling with performance to match. The Dodge Nitro is designed and engineered to ignite a segment characterised by bland, mild-mannered entries. This is the first mid-size SUV for the Dodge brand in the Australian market.

Gerry Jenkins, Managing Director for the Chrysler Group in Australia said "The Dodge Nitro has a wide range of potential customers ranging from mid-sized SUV buyers through to Falcon and Commodore owners looking for something different.

"The Nitro's certainly fresh with macho good looks, it??™s ???get outa my way styling" and a kick-ass turbo diesel option that would be particularly attractive to buyers with a price tag that would surprise and delight??? Jenkins said

The Dodge Nitro offers all the mid-size SUV must-haves: space, functionality and flexibility. Nitro??™s fold-flat, first-row passenger seat and second-row seats offer a variety of loading options. Also new is the LOAD ???N GO?„? cargo floor, which slides 45 cm rearward for easy loading and unloading and holds up to 181 kilograms. With heated leather trimmed seats, a DVD-based navigation system, cutting-edge entertainment system options, and a long list of standard safety and security features, the Dodge Nitro spices up the mid-size SUV recipe.

Nitro is not timid about using technology, either. In fact, it??™s very intuitive. The Dodge Nitro is well-versed in digital entertainment and communication technologies, including MP3, CD, DVD, USB and a new one, MyGIG?„? Multimedia Infotainment System. MyGIG allows customers to use touch screen or voice commands to control all of Nitro??™s entertainment and communication technologies, and includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive where music and photos can be stored.

Not to be Mistaken for Any Other Sport-utility Vehicle on the Market

To better understand a new product, sometimes it helps to know what it is not. Take the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro, for example.

Nitro is not another mid-size sport-utility vehicle with sleep-inducing styling. Instead, the bold styling and mas****ne swagger of Dodge (think Viper, Ram, Avenger and Caliber) is hot-wired into Nitro, inside and out.

The Dodge Nitro is not stuck on its handsome good looks. It??™s also functional. Nitro??™s spacious interior has room for five passengers, innovative cargo features, and the seating and storage flexibility to handle the needs of people and their gear.

2007 Dodge Nitro: Design

DESIGN

When creating the first Dodge mid-size SUV, Dodge designers wanted to do more than capture the spirit of the Dodge brand; they wanted to ignite the mid-size SUV segment.

To achieve a bold appearance unlike anything in Nitro??™s segment, the designers introduced elements and themes that are strong and confident. The result is the unmistakable Dodge Nitro with its purposeful, capable and assertive stance. The Nitro comes in two models: Dodge Nitro SX and Dodge Nitro SXT.

Basic to every Dodge vehicle is the bold crosshair grille, which is just one of many design elements that define the cool persona and tough attitude of Dodge Nitro. The grille ??“ chrome on both the Dodge Nitro SX and Dodge Nitro SXT ??” is emblazoned with a hefty, three-dimensional ram??™s head. Jewel-like rectangular headlamps prominently wrap the corners of the vehicle, and a clamshell hood with strong character lines completes the front end.

The side of the vehicle features a deep body section and high beltline, which add to the vehicle??™s confident appearance. Short front and rear overhangs, not typical of a mid-size SUV, contribute to the vehicle??™s forceful expression. Wheels pushed to the corners, with powerful-looking wheel arches, convey Nitro??™s confident stance. Dodge Nitro SXT comes equipped with 20-inch platinum aluminium wheels and tyres as standard.

The interior of the five-passenger Dodge Nitro is spacious, functional and flexible for people and cargo. The headliner is shrink-wrapped to allow maximum headroom, and there is plenty of legroom for first- and second-row passengers.

The Dodge Nitro receives chrome detail on the steering wheel, instrument cluster, centre console, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls and door handles. The gear shifter and control buttons are substantial in size and bold by design.

The Dodge Nitro has a fold-flat front-passenger seat, as well as fold-flat second-row seats. Second-row seats recline for added passenger comfort. Standard on the Dodge Nitro SXT is the LOAD ??™N GO cargo floor, which slides 45 cm rearward for easy and convenient loading and unloading of packages. The LOAD ??™N GO cargo floor can hold up to 181 Kilograms and is made of a heavy-duty plastic for easy cleaning. Standard on the Dodge Nitro SX is a reversible load floor.

Technical highlights

All-New Suspension Systems

The Dodge Nitro features an all-new coil-spring independent front suspension and an all-new five-link, coil-spring rear suspension. The independent front suspension gives the driver an optimum combination of ride, handling and steering, providing a greater sense of control and precision. The solid five-link rear suspension, including upper and lower trailing links and track bar, provides higher lateral stiffness for vehicle responsiveness and outstanding handling. Ample suspension wheel travel is provided to maintain consistent ride quality, especially when the vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer.

Performance-oriented drivers will be intrigued to know that the new performance suspension is standard on both Dodge Nitro models. Here the emphasis is on responsive, fun-to-drive handling accompanied by a firm ride. This system features a revised sway bar, springs, shocks and bushings.

Dodge Nitro features a sport suspension that delivers responsive handling with a comfortable ride. This tuning offers a strong balance between ride comfort and nimble, confidence-inspiring handling. The sport suspension will appeal to a cross section of buyers looking for comfort and solid on-road performance.

Effort, feel and response on the Nitro??™s rack-and-pinion steering system are tuned to give the driver precise control and positive feedback from the steering force exerted by the tyres. The steering linkage design allows for a tighter turning circle.

Transmissions

Standard transmissions are a four-speed automatic for the petrol engine and a five-speed automatic for the diesel engine.

The four-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Dodge Nitro and is mated to the 3.7-litre V-6 engine. The transmission provides optimal shift quality and improved quietness. Line pressure within the transmission is based on demand for improved fuel efficiency. A five-speed automatic transmission is also available when mated to the optional 2.8 litre turbo diesel engine.

Two Wheel and Part-Time Four-Wheel-Drive System

The Dodge Nitro has a switchable 4x4 system that allows the driver to switch between two wheel (rear wheel) drive and a part-time four-wheel-drive system.

The Nitro has a unique single speed, part time transfer case. Two wheel drive and four wheel drive modes are electronically controlled via a switch in the centre consol. Either mode can be selected at any time. The Nitro??™s transfer case works in conjunction with the Traction Control and the ESP features to provide enhanced traction and stability on low traction surfaces.

3.7-litre SOHC V6

The 3.7-litre SOHC V6 engine provides the 2007 Dodge Nitro with a standard engine that is efficient, durable and smooth. It produces 151 kW @ 5,200 rpm and 314 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Refinements in the valve train and combustion chamber, working together as a system, enhance low-speed torque while providing a smooth idle and minimal engine noise. A sophisticated Electronic Throttle Control system tailors throttle response to pedal movement based on operating conditions, and maintains a consistent vehicle speed on rolling grades when cruise control is active. Also new on the 3.7-litre engine is an exhaust gas recirculation valve, which helps increase fuel economy. The 3.7-litre V6 is standard on the Dodge Nitro SX and Dodge Nitro SXT models.

2.8-litre Turbo Diesel

The 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine allows consumers the opportunity to option their Dodge Nitro with an alternative fuelled engine. It produces 130 kW @ 3800 rpm and 460Nm of torque @ 2000 rpm.

Exceptional Braking Capability

Four-wheel-disc, anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on the Dodge Nitro. The vehicle??™s larger rotors contribute to excellent stopping and handling capability. All-speed traction control is standard on the Dodge Nitro and is engineered to transfer torque from one wheel to another on the same axle when wheel slip conditions are detected.

Also standard on the Dodge Nitro is the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe manoeuvres on any type of surface. Using signals from sensors throughout the vehicle, ESP determines the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments.

Bold style and sporty performance starting at $36,990

The base Manufacturer??™s Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro is $36,990. Dodge Nitro arrives in showrooms July 2007.

2007 Dodge Nitro SX - $36,990

Dodge Nitro SX comes standard with a 3.7-litre V6 engine mated to a four speed automatic transmission. Standard features include a chromed grille, 16-inch alloy wheels, P225/75R16 all-season tyres, ABS, ESP, electronic roll mitigation, all-speed traction control, performance suspension, tyre pressure warning lamp, side roof rails, low-back two-tone cloth seats, supplemental side-curtain air bags in the first and second rows, AM/FM/CD/MP3 and DVD stereo, fold-flat front-passenger seat, reclining rear seat, power-heated folding mirrors, rear park assist, and cargo floor with a reversible cargo tray just to name a few.

2007 Dodge Nitro SXT - $39,990

Dodge Nitro SXT comes standard with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Additional standard features include body-colour fender flares and fascias, 20-inch aluminium wheels, LOAD ???N GO cargo floor, two-tone seats with Yes Essentials?® seat fabric, six-way power driver seat, electronic vehicle information with tyre pressure monitor display, power/heated/folding exterior mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls, CD changer and premium speakers just to name a few.

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