Straight-Six, Automotive Journalism without the Restrictor Plates

October 2, 2007
FTLOD Preview:
2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4
By John LeBlanc

QuickTime video: One lap of Putnam Park raceway

QuickTime video: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4

Putnam Park Raceway, Indiana - Hollywood reports a fourth installment of the wildly popular Fast and Furious movie series is scheduled to show up in theatres worldwide next summer.

The last chapter in the series of films that portray the sports compact scene, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, may have pulled in over a whopping $158 million worldwide. Yet listening to Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology folks discuss their latest creation, the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, as "more mature and refined", one would think the sports compact lifestyle has all grown up and moved on to Dodge Caravans.

Replacing the recently departed Dodge Neon-based SRT4, the front-wheel-drive, five-seat, five-door Caliber version joins the SRT garage already bursting with bang-for-your-buck specials like the Viper SRT10, plus SRT8 versions of the Dodge Charger, Magnum, Chrysler 300C and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

SRT's mantra has always been to develop vehicles with the best performance for the best price. Their "value equation" works on the fundamental joy of smoking the guy next door who paid more for his ride with the same (or worse) performance.

In that context, the much-anticipated Caliber SRT4 certainly delivers—and then some.

Drum roll please: 285 hp, 265 lb.-ft. of torque; 0-96 km/h in "just under six seconds"; a 250 km/h top speed; all for the bargain basement price of $24,995.

If you're used to reading "more mature and refined" followed by "more money", the new SRT4 is $2,550 less than the last Neon-based car in 05. More relevant, the new SRT4's closest rival, the 263 hp, 280 lb.-ft. of torque, 0-96 km/h in "just over six seconds" Mazdaspeed3, will run you $6,000—or nearly 25 per cent—more than the Dodge.

We spent a couple of hours on rural, Indiana two-lanes driving the new SRT4, getting to Putnam Park Raceway, near Indianapolis. Although the wide 225/45R19 rubber was sensitive to road crown, the ride was surprisingly compliant and very livable.

On a day-long Toronto-to-Ottawa backroads' romp in the last Neon SRT4, I actually popped in some earplugs for self-preservation. Except for mild drone from the coffee-can exhaust, the new SRT4 was everyday-car quiet.

Inside, the SRT gang spent their money wisely on what they call "touch points."

Sport seating with deep, performance bolsters from the Viper, a centre-mounted tachometer, and a trick Reconfigurable Display (RCD), provides lateral and longitudinal G-force, 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time and speed, 0-100 km/h times and braking distances.

Starting with the 2.4-litre I4 that powers the Caliber R/T, Pete Gladysz, senior manager of SRT Powertrain said, "With this engine, we were able to take advantage of tried-and-true performance improvements, such as increased cylinder-head flow and higher compression ratio, as well as newer technologies such as variable valve timing."

SRT also added a largish Mitsubishi turbocharger, threw on an intercooler, a freer-flowing intake, and a thick-as-your-arm three-inch exhaust system. The result is an extra 113 hp to play with.

Forget the regular Caliber's whiney CVT. Power in the SRT4 is transferred through a stouter six-speed manual transmission.

Dodge deliberately worked on spreading out the power across the turbo 2.4's rev range. Unlike Mazda, which stifles the Mazdaspeed3's torque via the throttle, SRT relies on an electronically-tuned Brake Lock Differential that works through the ABS.

The electronic stability program is uniquely calibrated for the '08 SRT4. It provides excellent directional stability in all driving situations without being overly intrusive. But on the track, youll want to switch ESP off and get on the power early towards the apex.

The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4's suspension is lowered, with twin-tube dampers tuned by SRT, and stiffer springs. A unique rear 18 mm sway bar reduces understeer and keeps body roll in this relatively tall and heavy compact to a minimum during hard cornering on some of Putnam's twistier bends.

You shouldnt have any problems recognizing the SRT4 version over cooking Calibers in your rear view mirror.

The unique hood features a functional air scoop looking big enough to suck up a couple of Honda Fits. A large, integrated spoiler above the rear glass is tuned for smoother air flow, lift reduction and would be a great place for an A&W tray of rings and a root beer

In all respects, the '08 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is miles ahead of its predecessor in refinement. Yet priced like a loaded compact, its bang-for-the-buck ratio is cranked up to 11.

If this is Dodge and SRT's idea of maturity, you won't mind growing up.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher

2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4
Price: $24,995
Federal rebate/penalty: No
Engines: 2.4-litre turbocharged I4
Power/torque: 285 hp/265 lb.-ft.
Competition: Chevrolet HHR SS, Honda Element SC, Mazdaspeed3, Subaru Impreza WRX, Volkswagen GTI
What's best: Performance/price, ride, seats, bragging rights.
What's worst: Youll need to buy snow tires for the winter.