Our minds are still reeling at the thought of pushing 300-hp through the front wheels of an “econobox� to comment too much on the new Dodge Caliber SRT-4. It’s quite frankly mind boggling, though not that surprising from the speed freaks at Dodge’s SRT division.

According to Dodge, four numbers are important when contemplating the significance of the Caliber SRT-4: 85, 125, 300 and 260. Eighty-five represents how much more horsepower the Caliber SRT-4 has than the Neon SRT-4 it replaces, which means it produces 125 hp per liter of displacement with a total output of 300 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Umm… wow. Just wow.

The prodigious amount of power provided by the turbocharged 2.4L VVT “World Engine� is chopped up and served by a six-speed manual and delivered via the front wheels, which has to be one scary fun sub-six-second ride to 60.

The company says in its release that the mission of SRT is to provide benchmark performance for the best price, so we’ll be eager to find out later today what that means in terms of dollars and cents. Either way, the first shocker of the 2006 Chicago Auto Show goes to Dodge.


High-caliber Performance: With 300 Horsepower, All-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 to Dominate Sport-compact Market

• Tire-smoking 300 horsepower -- 85 more than the original Dodge SRT4 -- and 260 lb.-ft. of torque
• 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds
• All-around performance of a true “tuner car� right from the manufacturer
• Benchmark performance at the best price

Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) group will take the SRT4 reputation to new heights with the introduction of the all-new, 300-horsepower 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4.

“The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 achieves the SRT mission of offering benchmark performance for the best price,� said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “With 300 horsepower under the hood, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 will dominate the sport-compact market.�

With true tuner performance right out of the box and a great price, enthusiasts immediately took to the original SRT4, which was introduced in 2003 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In the 2003-2005 model years, more than 25,000 Dodge SRT4s were sold.

“We couldn’t wait to infuse Dodge Caliber with the SRT formula,� said Murphy. “The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 delivers a strong dose of all-around performance while delivering at least 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Our new SRT pocket rocket will be a hoot to drive.�

Source: Autoblog.com