Dodge Brand at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva

The Dodge brand is running on all cylinders at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva with the European premiere of the Dodge Avenger — an all-new four-door D-segment sedan that combines bold, aggressive Dodge styling with power and performance, fuel efficiency, innovative interior features and high levels of safety and reliability.

The Dodge Avenger will be available in Europe and other international markets in left-hand and right-hand drive, with both diesel and petrol powertrain options. It is the Dodge brand’s first D-segment car for Europe and is the fourth Dodge vehicle in the brand’s expansion to volume markets outside North America. With Dodge Viper, Caliber, Nitro and Avenger, Dodge now offers an extremely competitive lineup.

“The all-new Dodge Avenger continues the Dodge brand’s product offensive and will bring even more buyers into our new Dodge showrooms,” said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director – International Sales and Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Just as the Dodge Caliber and Nitro have sparked interest in the Dodge brand in their respective segments, the Dodge Avenger continues to write the Dodge story on affordable power, the most horsepower for the Euro and brings that assertive attitude and bold styling to the competitive D-segment.

“With Dodge attitude plus right-hand drive and a diesel engine, we have ensured that the Dodge Avenger will be an appealing choice for global customers who want Dodge brand values wrapped into a practical yet powerful saloon package. Clearly, there’s just nothing else like it on the road,” added Hausch.

The Dodge Avenger will be available in Europe and other international markets in two models — Avenger SE and Avenger SXT — in mid 2007.

Bold, Aggressive Dodge Styling
The all-new Dodge Avenger builds on the bold, aggressive styling, performance and excitement of the Dodge Charger sold in North America.

“The all-new Dodge Avenger brings Dodge brand American muscle car heritage into the global mid-size car segment,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design. “Avenger does for the global D-segment what Caliber has done in the global C-segment — it offers a unique alternative to the competition.”

From the front, there’s no mistaking Dodge’s heritage in Avenger’s aggressive exterior lines. The brand’s signature crosshair grille and large, modern quad headlamps add to Avenger’s menacing glare. The Dodge Avenger’s chrome grille with black texture accentuates the vehicle’s serious, almost sinister appearance. A stamped formation carries the vertical lines of the crosshair grille over the bonnet.

Dodge Avenger’s side profile shares more family characteristics with the Dodge Charger. Muscular rear shoulders, large wheels and tyres and a sleek rear spoiler embody the Dodge brand attributes of bold, powerful and capable. Avenger’s long greenhouse is accentuated by black appliqués on the B-pillars, which make this saloon look like it’s pouncing forward, even when it’s at a standstill.

From the rear, large, expressive taillamp modules placed at the corners frame the boot lid and add to the bold Dodge appearance.

The all-new Dodge Avenger rides on a 2765-millimetre (108.9-inch) wheelbase and 1569 millimetre (61.8-inch) track, which add to its athletic stance, improve ride quality and stability and maximise crush space in the engine compartment to enhance occupant protection.

Impressive Interior Makes Bold Statement
Graphic design elements, which set the new Dodge Avenger’s exterior design apart from the competition, also are evident throughout the vehicle’s spacious interior.

Carefully matched textures and low gloss levels contribute to Dodge Avenger’s rich-looking interior surfaces. The instrument panel top pad and centre stack feature a “Franklin” grain with low-gloss finish to match the defroster grille, driver cubby and Dodge logo on passenger side surrounds. From the cluster bezel to climate control knobs, circles are a primary graphic element repeated throughout the Avenger’s interior.

Taking a cue from the Dodge Ram name, the Dodge Avenger’s centre stack features a V-like ram’s horn shape that surrounds the gated shifter bezel and serves as a design focal point. Avenger’s centre stack features dual heating and air conditioning vents. A large opening below the vents provides room for either the standard AM/FM/CD radio or the available cutting-edge MyGIG™ multimedia infotainment system. On vehicles equipped with the UConnect^® Hands-free Communication System (available as an after-sales option), phone buttons are packaged in the radio control head for easy access and a clean, streamlined appearance.

Adding appeal to Dodge Avenger in the D-segment is the Chill Zone™, a chilled beverage storage bin that is standard on all Avenger models. Housed in the passenger-side upper dashboard panel, the bin can hold and chill as many as four 500-millilitre (12-ounce) beverage bottles or cans.

Dodge Avenger’s interior provides comfortable seating for the driver and as many as four passengers. The cabin interior is extremely spacious with 1016 millimetres (40 inches) of maximum headroom, 1433 millimetres (56.4 inches) of shoulder room and 1352 millimetres (53.2 inches) of hip room in the front seat. Luggage volume in the boot is a competitive 394 litres (13.9 cubic feet, SAE standard).

Powertrain Options Deliver Excellent Power and Fuel Efficiency
Four engine options power the Dodge Avenger sold in Europe: a 2.0-litre petrol World Engine, 2.4-litre petrol World Engine, new 2.7-litre V-6 petrol engine and 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine.

Dodge Avenger’s standard 2.0-litre petrol World Engine, with dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT), intake manifold flow control valves, dual counter-rotating balance shafts and many more features, rivals the best four-cylinder engines in the D-segment with its combination of fuel economy and solid performance. Mated to a five-speed manual transaxle, this engine provides 115 kW (156 hp DIN) and 190 Nm (140 lb.-ft.) of torque.

The optional 2.4-litre petrol World Engine with dual VVT is matched to an automatic transaxle with Auto Stick, which gives the driver manual shifting control or fully automatic operation. The engine generates 125 kW (170 hp DIN) and 220 Nm (162 lb.-ft.) of torque.

The optional 2.7-litre V-6 petrol engine produces 138 kW (188 hp DIN) and 256 Nm (189 lb.-ft.) of torque. This engine will be paired with a four-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick at launch and available at a later stage with a new six-speed automatic transaxle.

Dodge Avenger is also available with a modern 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 103 kW (140 hp DIN) and 310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.) of torque, coupled with a six-speed manual transaxle. This diesel engine delivers excellent overall performance and fuel economy.

Innovative Technologies Make Life Easier and Safer
In addition to Dodge Avenger’s bold, aggressive design and functional interior, this all-new D-segment saloon also features a host of new technologies.

“The Dodge Avenger heats up the D-segment competitive set with several cool technologies,” said Stephane Labous, Director – International Marketing and Communications. “From a one-of-a-kind chilled beverage storage bin and heated/cooled cup holder, to heated cloth seats and MyGIG’s 20-gigabyte hard disc drive, Dodge Avenger offers features that buyers will really warm up to.”

Many features set Dodge Avenger apart in the competitive D-segment. These include:

• Chill Zone™ – a storage compartment in the top of the dashboard panel that holds up to four 500-millilitre (12-ounce) beverage bottles or cans. Depending on ambient temperature and air conditioning settings, the bin can keep beverages cool
• Available heated/cooled front cup holder that keeps cold beverages cool and hot beverages warm. The system heats to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) or cools to 2 degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit)
• YES Essentials® fabric – an easy-care, soil-repellent and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odours and discolouration
• Available heated cloth or leather-trimmed front seats
• Available DVD rear-seat entertainment system that includes AM/FM stereo radio with MP3 capable CD/DVD player and six-disc CD/DVD changer
• Auxiliary audio input jack for MP3 connectivity and play capability on all audio systems
• Light-Emitting Diode (LED) interior lighting with high-focus white lights that provide directional lighting in both the front and rear seats

The Dodge Avenger also features MyGIG, an available cutting-edge multimedia infotainment system that raises the bar on in-vehicle communications. This next-generation navigation radio features a motorised, flip-down 16.5cm (6.5-in.) Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display with a touch-screen panel that can support 65,000 colours. The TFT screen uses an active matrix for viewing from angles up to 180 degrees — perfect for the centre of an instrument panel.

The system provides a two- or three-dimensional appearance to graphics and animation, as well as multiple font sizes and styles. The system provides real-time traffic updates and incorporates many new features for music, sound, movies and personalised picture displays, including:

• A 20-gigabyte hard disc drive for storing map data for the navigation system and photos
• Universal Serial Bus (USB) port that allows for the transfer of photos onto the hard drive
• Voice memo recording, which allows a message up to three minutes long to be recorded using the microphone integrated into the rear-view mirror
• Display screen that can display movies when the vehicle is in Park
• Capability to support three simultaneous audio output sources
• UConnect Hands-free Communication System that uses Bluetooth® technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication between the occupants’ compatible mobile phone and the vehicle’s onboard receiver
• Functionality in six languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish)

Safety Features and Structure Combine to Protect Vehicle Occupants
Safety and security are a top priority among D-segment car buyers in Europe, and the all-new Dodge Avenger offers a combination of class-leading safety features that are designed to keep occupants both safe and secure. Integrated with the body shell, Avenger’s safety cage is constructed with dual-phase, high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel components designed to protect occupants in all driving situations. Avenger’s extremely strong safety cage is complemented with a combination of standard safety items demanded by buyers in the D-segment, including:

• Advanced multi-stage front air bags
• Front-seat-mounted side air bags
• Full-length side-curtain air bags
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
• Brake Assist System
• Traction Control System

Dodge Avenger Production
Production of the Dodge Avenger began in the fourth quarter of 2006 at the refurbished Sterling Heights (Michigan) Assembly Plant in the U.S., alongside the Chrysler Sebring. Avenger’s 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol World Engines are built in the state-of-the-art Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Michigan. The 2.7-litre V-6 petrol engine is built at the Chrysler Group’s Kenosha (Wisconsin) Engine Plant.

Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of 6 per cent, Dodge is the Chrysler Group’s best-selling brand and the fifth-largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2006, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million (1,345,517) vehicles in the global market. The Dodge global portfolio includes a range of cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles.

The expansion of the Dodge brand in markets outside North America helped raise its year-over-year sales 185 percent and close 2006 with 30,527 units. Dodge Caliber spearheaded the Dodge brand’s expansion in 2006, and it is followed by the Dodge Nitro, Avenger and high-performance Caliber SRT4 in 2007.

Strong Dodge Caliber sales in January 2007 made it the top-selling vehicle in markets outside North America, outselling all other Chrysler Group products for the first time. Since its international introduction in June of last year, Caliber has remained among the top-five-selling vehicles.

Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA)
The World Engine is a family of world-class four-cylinder engines produced by GEMA in Dundee, Mich., delivering an exceptional combination of quality, fuel efficiency, refinement and performance. GEMA is owned equally by DaimlerChrysler Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. By optimising the three joint venture partners’ strengths, global economies of scale and the latest practices in flexible teams and machines, GEMA aims to set a new benchmark in engine plant productivity.

PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The information shown is based on data available at the time of publication (Feb. 20, 2007) and is subject to change without notice. Specifications are valid for Europe and may vary in other markets.

General Information
Body Style: Four-door saloon
Assembly Plant: Sterling Heights, Mich., USA

Engines
2.0-litre Petrol World Engine
Availability: Standard on Avenger SE and SXT
Type and Description: Four cylinders in-line, tuned intake manifold with electronic Active Charge Motion Control valves, dual counter-rotating balance shafts, dual variable valve timing (VVT)
Displacement: 2.0 litres (1998cc / 121.9 cu. in.)
Bore x Stroke: 86 x 86mm (3.39 x 3.39 in.)
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Maximum Power: 115 kW (156 hp DIN) @ 6300 rpm
Maximum Torque: 190 Nm (140 lb.-ft.) @ 5100 rpm
Emission Class: Euro 4

2.4-litre Petrol World Engine
Availability: Optional on Avenger SE and SXT
Type and Description: Four cylinders in-line, tuned intake manifold with electronic Active Charge Motion Control valves, dual counter-rotating balance shafts, dual VVT
Displacement: 2.4 litres (2360 cc / 144 cu. in.)
Bore x Stroke: 88 x 97mm (3.46 x 3.82 in.)
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Maximum Power: 125 kW (170 hp DIN) @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 220 Nm (162 lb.-ft.) @ 4500 rpm
Emission Class: Euro 4

2.7-litre V-6 Petrol Engine
Availability :Optional on Avenger SE and SXT
Type and Description: Six cylinders 60-degree, liquid-cooled, dual-tuned intake manifold with electronically controlled manifold tuning valve
Displacement: 2.7 litres (2736cc / 167 cu. in.)
Bore x Stroke: 86 x 78.5mm (3.39 x 3.09 in.)
Compression Ratio: 9.9:1
Maximum Power: 138 kW (188 hp DIN) @ 6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 256 Nm (189 lb.-ft.) @ 4000 rpm
Emission Class: Euro 4

2.0-litre Turbo Diesel Engine
Availability: Optional on Avenger SE and SXT
Type and Description: Four cylinders in line, turbocharged
Displacement: 2.0 litres (1968cc / 120.1 cu. in.)
Bore x Stroke: 81 x 95.5mm (3.19 x 3.76 in.)
Compression Ratio: 18.1:1
Maximum Power: 103 kW (140 hp DIN) @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.) @ 1750 rpm
Emission Class: Euro 4

Transaxles
Five-speed Manual
Availability: Standard with 2.0-litre World Engine
Description: MP T355: Five-speed, overdrive, synchronised in all forward ratios, cable-operated, three-plane shifter

Four-speed Automatic
Availability: Standard with 2.4-litre World Engine and 2.7-litre petrol engine (at launch)
Description: VLP 41TE: Four-speed, overdrive, adaptive electronic control, electronically modulated converter clutch, Auto Stick

Six-speed Manual
Availability: Standard with 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine
Description: Aisin BG6: Six-speed, overdrive, synchronised in all ratios, cable-operated, four-plane shifter with reverse lockout ring

Drivetrain
Front-wheel Drive: Standard with all engines

Chassis and Running Gear
Front Suspension: Independent MacPherson strut, coil spring over gas-charged shock absorbers, stabiliser bar with isolated suspension cradle
Rear Suspension: Multi-link independent with coil springs, link-type stabiliser bar, gas-charged shock absorbers and isolated rear suspension cradle
Steering Type: Speed-proportional, power rack-and-pinion
Wheels and Tyres (standard fit): 17 x 6.5 in. with 215/60R17 summer performance tyres
Brakes: Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, ESP, BAS, TCS

Dimensions and Accommodations
Dimensions are in millimetres (inches) unless otherwise noted.

Overall Length: 4850 (190.9)
Overall Width: 1843 (72.5) without mirrors
Overall Height: 1497 (58.9)
Wheelbase: 2765 (108.9)
Track, Front: 1570 (61.8)
Track, Rear: 1570 (61.8)
Seating Capacity: Two front, three rear
Cargo Compartment Volume: 394 litres (13.9 cu. ft.), SAE standard