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Confirming production of the all-new Dodge Caliber, the Chrysler Group announced that the powertrain choices for the vehicle will be engineered to meet the demands of global customers. The Dodge Caliber will feature innovative engines and transmissions to deliver world-class performance, fuel economy and refinement.


"We focused on customer benefits during the selection and development of the Dodge Caliber engines and transmissions, targeting the hottest issues in the C segment: fuel economy, reliability, performance and value," said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President - Product Development, Chrysler Group. "The all-new Dodge Caliber will be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to offer the World Engine family of four-cylinder gasoline engines, a new 2.0-liter diesel engine and a continuously variable transmission."



World Engine

Fuel economy is a key factor in the four-cylinder market. The Chrysler Group World Engine family is targeted to improve fuel efficiency by five percent compared with the engines they replace -- rivaling the best four-cylinder engines in the world.

"The engines will be built through a joint venture, and simply stated, the World Engine program allows us to build premium features into our engines without a premium price," continued Ridenour. "We set and met high standards in key customer attributes: fuel economy, refinements, durability, quality and performance for our gasoline engine offerings."

Chrysler Group brought its engineering expertise to the World Engine program in the areas of cylinder port and intake manifold design using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics tools. Chrysler Group engineers led the development work on dual variable valve timing (VVT), as well as an integrated 2:1 oil pump/balance shaft assembly. Chrysler Group also refined the engines for exceptional smoothness and sound quality - resulting in a pleasant engine feel and sound for the customer.

The all-new Dodge Caliber will be available with all three displacements in the World Engine family: 1.8-liter, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter. Performance objectives are targeted to match the best in the segment - 140, 150 and 170 hp (SAE), respectively.



2.0-liter Turbo Diesel

For Europe and other diesel markets, the all-new Dodge Caliber will also be available with an advanced 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

"The new 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine will dramatically enhance the Dodge Caliber's appeal in Europe and other key diesel markets around the world," said Ridenour. "In today's competitive environment, customers are looking for modern diesel engines with outstanding performance and efficiency. We strongly believe we are prepared to meet that demand with our first diesel offering for a C-segment Dodge."

The 2.0-liter engine is a state-of-the-art, direct-injection turbo diesel with high-pressure fuel injection, a variable geometry turbocharger and four valves per cylinder. The injectors are electronically controlled, allowing precise management of each combustion cycle with the optimum quantity of fuel. This system can operate at pressures of up to 2000 bar, leading to finer atomization of fuel, high power and torque, and optimal fuel efficiency.

The turbo diesel engine is expected to position Dodge Caliber among the best in its class for power, torque and towing capacity. Maximum power is estimated at 100 kW (136 hp DIN), and peak torque is estimated at 310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.).



Continuously Variable Transmission.

The all-new Dodge Caliber will use the newest generation of continuously variable transmissions, offering several advantages compared with previous CVTs.

"Chrysler Group's CVT has been calibrated to delight customers with pleasing engine response, precise ratio control and an AutoStick® feature that allows for manual control and the simulation of six stepped gears," said Ridenour.

Through the use of electronic controls, the CVT provides a familiar feel while delivering improved fuel economy. For example, drivers will experience an appropriate rise in engine RPM during acceleration rather than the engine instantly raising to the maximum RPM.

Chrysler Group's CVT contributes a 6-8 percent improvement in fuel economy compared with a traditional four-speed automatic transmission. Eliminating upshifts allows the transmission to engage the torque converter clutch almost immediately when accelerating, and to keep it engaged throughout speed changes. This eliminates torque converter slippage common in stepped transmissions and results in more efficient operation, especially in city driving.

Customers will notice that CVT also improves vehicle performance compared with a traditional automatic transmission. Optimized gear ratios, especially in the range of 48 to 96 kilometers per hour (30 to 60 miles per hour), improve passing maneuvers and contribute to a responsive feel.

Chrysler Group's CVT makes it possible to continuously vary the transmission ratio, providing an infinite number of gear ratios. This allows the engine to stay in its most efficient operating range. The transmission uses two V pulleys and a steel push belt to vary the input speed to output speed ratio instead of traditional discrete gear ratios activated by clutches or bands.

Dodge Caliber is a vehicle that will be produced for markets around the world, making it the first of the new Dodge vehicles leading the brand's expansion to Europe and other volume markets outside of North America starting in 2006.