2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4®: SRT Performance and Value in Aggressive Sport-compact Package

August 31, 2008 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - 

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4® continues the “race-inspired, street legal” legacy of Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT®) organization. The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers on the promise of benchmark performance for the best price. Powered by a 285 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces a 0-60 mph time in the
six-second range, the Caliber SRT4 is not only fun to drive, but has innovative interior features that lets customers haul people and cargo while enjoying the ride.

Innovative, fun features such as an available high-performance KICKER® audio system that includes 13 speakers, a 322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer; flip-down speakers in the rear hatch, “Performance Pages” reconfigurable display and seating for five are a few of the attributes that make the 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 unique in the sport compact segment.

“The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 redefines ‘fun-to-drive’ in the sport compact market,” said Kipp Owen, Director – SRT Engineering, Chrysler LLC. “With 285 horsepower under the hood, and a bold design, this car won’t be mistaken for any other performance vehicle on the road.”

The bold exterior styling features don’t just look good, they have a functional purpose as well. The aggressive front stance incorporates functional brake cooling ducts, a larger grille opening and a unique hood with a functional air scoop. The unique rear spoiler aids in aerodynamic efficiency.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 race-inspired interior offers customers a business-like cockpit with the performance features sport compact drivers expect such as a short-throw shifter and a turbo boost gauge.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers world-class performance across a dynamic range with 0-60 mph in the six-second range, a quarter-mile time of approximately 14.5 seconds, 60-0 braking distance of less than 125 feet and a top speed of 155 mph.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2009

EXTERIOR
• Deep Water Blue Clear Coat paint replaces Sunburst Orange

INTERIOR

  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio standard
  • Performance Pages reconfigurable display standard
  • uconnect tunes standard
  • Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) standard
  • Front-seat side air bags added to Security Group option
  • uconnect gps added to Security Group option
  • Leather-trimmed seating package option

DESIGN

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4’s hood incorporates a functional scoop that brings cooling air into the engine compartment. The front fascia below the signature Dodge crosshair grille incorporates inlets for brake cooling ducts, and a wider center inlet provides increased air flow to the intercooler.

The Caliber SRT4’s overall design was developed in the wind tunnel and produces optimized aerodynamic lift forces at the front and rear axles at speed. The unique rear fascia features lower vertical strakes that direct underbody air flow out the back of the vehicle, contributing to more stability at speed. Aerodynamic efficiency is also aided by an integrated spoiler above the rear glass. The spoiler is nearly 60 percent larger than that on the standard Dodge Caliber, and is tuned for smoother air flow and downforce while maximizing the rear view.

Inside, unique SRT touches include sport seating with deep bolstering and performance-fabric inserts to hold occupants during spirited driving, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a “carbon-fiber-like pattern” on the upper portion. The seats, steering wheel and leather shift boot feature contrasting stitching. The short-throw shifter mounted in the center stack shifter features a leather boot with carbon-fiber-like pattern, a leather-finished shifter knob and cap with bright chrome finish.

The instrument panel features three gauge “tunnels” outfitted with performance-oriented instrumentation, including a center-mounted tachometer, 180-mph speedometer, and coolant temperature and fuel gauges. Standard “Performance Pages” reconfigurable display can display performance information including longitudinal and lateral G-force, 0-60 mph acceleration time 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time and speed and braking distance. An electronic turbo boost gauge is located on the left side of the instrument panel.


ENGINEERING

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4’s 2.4-liter World Engine is produced at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance facility in Dundee, Mich. The engine’s aluminum block is specially machined for increased water and oil flow, and its aluminum cylinder head is equipped with unique high-temperature exhaust valves and variable valve timing for efficient combustion and flow. Power goes to a Getrag DMT-6 six-speed manual transmission. The 2.4-liter aluminum 4-cylinder engine produces 285 horsepower (213 kW) and 265 lb.-ft. (352 N•m) of torque.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 rides on SRT-unique, 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels with 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear tires. Upgrades to the standard Dodge Caliber’s MacPherson strut front suspension include new knuckles, tuned dampers and revised spring rates. A unique rear sway bar keeps body roll to a minimum during hard cornering.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 braking system components features vented brake rotors that are 302 mm x 10 mm in the front and rear.

The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) were uniquely calibrated for the 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4’s performance to maintain directional stability without wheel lockup and to mitigate brake knockback.


PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

High-caliber performance at the best price
• Powered by an SRT-engineered, 2.4-liter, intercooled, turbocharged engine that produces 285 horsepower (213 kW) and 265 lb.-ft. (352 N•m) of torque, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 boasts 113 more horsepower than the Caliber R/T
• SRT performance enhancements include a six-speed transmission, upgraded brakes, unique rear sway bar and 19-inch SRT wheels
• The Dodge Caliber SRT4 offers performance and utility at an incredible value

The Dodge Caliber SRT4 is for the sport-compact car enthusiast who wants
all-around performance from the manufacturer
• SRT performance: 0-60 mph in around six seconds
• A top speed of 155 mph
• Standout powertrain; functional, performance-oriented exterior design featuring a front fascia with integrated inlets for brake cooling, functional hood scoop with air extractors, unique sill cladding, unique rear deck lid spoiler; race-inspired interior appointments that include deeply bolstered seating and comprehensive instrumentation; benchmark braking; and ride and handling characteristics that make the Dodge Caliber SRT4 at home on the track or on the street


SAFETY AND SECURITY

Please refer to the Safety and Security Glossary in the Safety and Technology section for descriptions of the following available features:

• Advanced Multi-stage Air Bags
• All-speed Traction Control
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Auto-reverse Sun Roof
• BeltAlert
• Brake Assist
• Brake/Park Interlock
• Constant Force Retractors
• Crumple Zones
• Electronic Stability Program
• Energy-absorbing Steering Column
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS)
• Height-adjustable Seat Belts
• HomeLink Universal Home Security System Transceiver
• Inflatable Knee Blocker
• Interior Head-impact Protection
• Knee Bolsters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Security Alarm
• Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer
• Supplemental Side-curtain Air Bags
• Available Supplemental Seat-mounted Air Bags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• uconnect phone


COLOR AVAILABILITY

• Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat
• Deep Water Blue Clear Coat (replaces Sunburst Orange)
• Bright Silver Metallic
• Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat


MANUFACTURING INFORMATION

• 2009 model year production start: July 2008
• Production location: Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Ill.
• 2.4-liter I-4 engine: Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance engine plant in Dundee, Mich.
• Six-speed manual transmission: Getrag transmission plant in Cologne, Germany


MARKET POSITION

Dodge Caliber SRT4 competes in the sport-compact performance market, with its SRT attributes of functional, performance-oriented styling, world-class ride and handling, race-inspired interior appointments, benchmark braking and an SRT-engineered, 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that creates 285 horsepower (213 kW) resulting in a 0-60 mph time in around six seconds.


DEMOGRAPHICS

• Gender: Primarily male
• Median Age: 35 years old
• Annual Household Income: $45,000 to $60,000
• Education: 35 percent college graduate


MARKET ADVANTAGES

• High-caliber performance: 285 horsepower (213 kW) resulting in a 0-60 mph time in around six seconds
• Benchmark performance at the best price
• The Dodge Caliber SRT4 is for the enthusiast who wants a world-class competitor right from the manufacturer


PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY

2008 MODEL YEAR
NEW MODEL
• High-performance version of the five-door hatchback Dodge Caliber with an all-new 285-horsepower (209 kW) 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder World Engine

EXTERIOR
• Aggressive SRT-signature appearance
• All-new front fascia featuring inlets for functional brake cooling ducts and a larger grille opening for greater cooling air flow
• Fog lamps
• Functional air scoop in the hood to cool engine compartment
• Lower vertical strakes in rear fascia direct underbody air flow
• Large integrated spoiler above rear glass tuned for smoother air flow and lift reduction
• Four available exterior colors: Brilliant Black Crystal, Sunburst Orange, Bright Silver and Inferno Red
• Unique sill cladding

INTERIOR
• SRT race-inspired graphic design, including instruments, separate turbocharger boost gauge and Alloy Silver finish on center stack and shift bezel
• Performance-oriented instrumentation in three gauge “tunnels,” including center-mounted tachometer, 180-mph speedometer, coolant temperature and fuel gauges
• Optional Reconfigurable Display (RCD) with SRT-exclusive “Performance Page display” providing G-force, 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time and speed, 0-60 mph time and braking distance
• Sport seating with deep bolstering and performance fabric inserts
• Red accent stitching on the seats and steering wheel and shifter boot
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with carbon-fiber-like pattern on upper portion
• Alloy Silver finish on instrument panel and shift bezel
• Center-stack-mounted short-throw shifter with leather-finished shift knob leather boot with carbon-fiber pattern and cap with bright chrome finish
• Available SRT-engineered KICKER® high-performance audio system with 13 speakers, 322-watt amplifier and 100-watt subwoofer
• Available uconnect phone
• Available SIRIUS Satellite Radio
• Interior color: Slate Gray

POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
• 280-horsepower, 260 lb.-ft. of torque, 2.4-liter DOHC I-4 Turbo World Engine
• Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
• Aluminum engine block and cylinder head
• Unique cast pistons cooled by oil squirters
• Cast stainless steel exhaust manifold to accommodate higher temperatures
• Low-restriction air-induction system
• High/flow oil pump
• 140-amp alternator
• Exhaust valves using Inconel alloy to accommodate high temperatures
• Water-to-oil engine oil cooler
• Balance shaft module
• Coil-on-plug ignition system with platinum spark plugs
• Getrag DMT-6 six-speed manual transmission
• Electronically tuned Brake Locking Differential (BLD)
• Standard SRT-unique 19-inch painted cast-aluminum wheels with 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear RS-A four-season tires
• Optional 19-inch polished cast-aluminum wheels
• Optional 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear F1 Supercar three-season tires
• Performance suspension lowered one inch
• New front knuckles, SRT-tuned dampers, 210-lb./in. front springs, 240-lb/in. rear springs, 24mm front stabilizer bar and 18mm rear stabilize bar
• Unique rear sway bar
• SRT-tuned Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• SRT-tuned rack-and-pinion power steering
• 18.0:1 overall steering ratio
• Performance four-wheel disc brakes including 340 x 28 mm vented front brake rotors and 302 x 10 mm rear brake rotors
• Twin-piston aluminum front calipers painted red

SAFETY AND SECURITY
• Advanced multi-stage air bags
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Available auto-reverse sun roof that can automatically reverse the sun roof to the open position
• BeltAlert sounds a periodic chime to alert the driver to fasten the seat belt
• Brake Assist senses panic brake condition and applies maximum braking power
• Brake/Park Interlock prevents shifting out of Park unless the brake pedal is applied
• Constant Force Retractors (CFR) limit the force of the belt system and gradually releases seat belt webbing in a controlled manner during a severe impact
• Crumple zones designed to compress during an accident to absorb energy from an impact
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability by controlling oversteer and understeer
• Energy-absorbing steering column
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS) automatically turns on interior lighting, unlocks doors and shuts off fuel flow after air bag deployment
• Height-adjustable seat belts
• Available HomeLink universal home security system transceiver
• Inflatable knee blocker, an air bag that helps position the driver relative to the primary air bag
• Knee bolsters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
• Occupant Classification System (OCS) determines deployment of the front-passenger air bag based on occupant weight
• Octagonal frame-rail tips designed to collapse rearward in a controlled manner during a frontal or offset front impact
• ParkSense® Rear Park Assist System assists in detecting stationary objects when driving at low speeds in Reverse
• Power-adjustable brake, accelerator and clutch pedals to move toward or away from the driver
• Remote keyless entry
• Seat belt pretensioners
• Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer assures only authorized keys will operate the engine
• SmartBeam® headlamps adjust to ambient light and oncoming traffic to deliver maximum lighting
• Supplemental side-curtain air bags
• Available seat side air bag
• Available theft alarm system
• Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) advanced system alerts driver to improper tire pressure conditions


Contact Information

Nick Cappa
Office: (248) 512-4266
Cell: (248) 202-8039
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