What was it?
The SRT4 had been a popular version of the Dodge Neon so Chrysler tried to apply a similar makeover to the Caliber with a Halo version. It was only available for a couple of years in 2007-08. A prototype Rally car had been produced and raced by Ralph Gilles as an evaluation.
Sales did not meet expectation so it was dropped. The price was more than double the economy car it was based on and the performance package no longer gave the economy benefits.
The enhancements given in the Chrysler press briefings were in summary-
SRT4 rides on SRT-unique 19-inch cast aluminium wheels with 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear tires. Wheel hubs and bearings on all four corners are adapted from Chrysler Group mid-size cars for strength. Upgrades to the standard 2007 Dodge Caliber's MacPherson strut front suspension include new suspension knuckles and tuned dampers with revised spring rates. Unique front and rear sway bars keep body roll to a minimum during hard cornering. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is uniquely calibrated for the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 to provide excellent directional stability in all driving modes. In addition, stability is enhanced with a ride height one-half inch lower than the standard 2007 Dodge Caliber.
Although it's a compact car, the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 benefits from braking-system components designed for much larger, heavier cars. For example, front brake calipers were sourced from a premium brake system developed for the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger, while rear calipers were sourced from Chrysler Group mid-size cars.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) was uniquely calibrated for the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4's performance to maintain directional stability without wheel lockup.
Reducing the ride height—1.1 inches front, 0.8 inch rear—helped to reduce torque steer by making the half-shaft angles essentially flat between the differential and the wheels.
Suspension has undergone a general stiffening, with ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers all around, higher spring rates fore-and-aft, and a stiffer (by 0.71 inch) rear anti-roll bar. Mopar plans to offer a track kit with much higher spring rates and firmer dampers.
The engine feeds its output into a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox via a dual-mass flywheel. Like the gearbox in the garden-variety Caliber, it's a cable shifter, but the throws are shorter and the engagements are far more decisive.
The front seats were bolstered for enhanced support during spirited driving.
The Caliber R/T had a 2.4-liter engine pumping out 172 hp connected to a five speed manual gearbox. SRT4 featured a 2.4 L DOHC 16V turbocharged I4 with dual variable valve timing (DVVT). The engine produced 285 hp (213 kW) at 6,400 rpm, and 265 lbâ‹…ft (359 Nâ‹…m) of torque at 5,600 rpm using the TD04HL4S-20 turbo. The SRT4 put more power on the road than cars costing twice as much.
The SRT4 had been a popular version of the Dodge Neon so Chrysler tried to apply a similar makeover to the Caliber with a Halo version. It was only available for a couple of years in 2007-08. A prototype Rally car had been produced and raced by Ralph Gilles as an evaluation.
Sales did not meet expectation so it was dropped. The price was more than double the economy car it was based on and the performance package no longer gave the economy benefits.
The enhancements given in the Chrysler press briefings were in summary-
SRT4 rides on SRT-unique 19-inch cast aluminium wheels with 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear tires. Wheel hubs and bearings on all four corners are adapted from Chrysler Group mid-size cars for strength. Upgrades to the standard 2007 Dodge Caliber's MacPherson strut front suspension include new suspension knuckles and tuned dampers with revised spring rates. Unique front and rear sway bars keep body roll to a minimum during hard cornering. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is uniquely calibrated for the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 to provide excellent directional stability in all driving modes. In addition, stability is enhanced with a ride height one-half inch lower than the standard 2007 Dodge Caliber.
Although it's a compact car, the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 benefits from braking-system components designed for much larger, heavier cars. For example, front brake calipers were sourced from a premium brake system developed for the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger, while rear calipers were sourced from Chrysler Group mid-size cars.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) was uniquely calibrated for the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4's performance to maintain directional stability without wheel lockup.
Reducing the ride height—1.1 inches front, 0.8 inch rear—helped to reduce torque steer by making the half-shaft angles essentially flat between the differential and the wheels.
Suspension has undergone a general stiffening, with ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers all around, higher spring rates fore-and-aft, and a stiffer (by 0.71 inch) rear anti-roll bar. Mopar plans to offer a track kit with much higher spring rates and firmer dampers.
The engine feeds its output into a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox via a dual-mass flywheel. Like the gearbox in the garden-variety Caliber, it's a cable shifter, but the throws are shorter and the engagements are far more decisive.
The front seats were bolstered for enhanced support during spirited driving.
The Caliber R/T had a 2.4-liter engine pumping out 172 hp connected to a five speed manual gearbox. SRT4 featured a 2.4 L DOHC 16V turbocharged I4 with dual variable valve timing (DVVT). The engine produced 285 hp (213 kW) at 6,400 rpm, and 265 lbâ‹…ft (359 Nâ‹…m) of torque at 5,600 rpm using the TD04HL4S-20 turbo. The SRT4 put more power on the road than cars costing twice as much.
