The 2011 Dodge Caliber R/T. Image: Chrysler Group LLC
If you’re partial to all things Dodge, here’s another reason to attend the 2012 Detroit Auto Show (or at least keep a close eye on the news feeds): Dodge is said to be unveiling a replacement for the less-than-well-received Caliber. The Caliber ended production in 2010, and it’s quite possible that no one even noticed. When a noted auto journalist complained about the handling and braking of the Caliber in SRT trim, a Chrysler engineer said something along the lines of, “It’s a Caliber, and we did the best we could.”
Those days at Chrysler, thankfully, are gone, and with Ralph Gilles at the helm of the SRT division, good things are coming. In fact when I spoke with Gilles in Miami last February, he hinted at an upcoming small performance car from Dodge. Whatever the replacement for the Caliber turns out to be, that makes me think there’s an SRT version on the drawing board as well. Thanks to their partnership with Fiat, Chrysler has quite a few more platforms available to them, so don’t be surprised if the new compact entry from Dodge is based on a Fiat design.
Source: Autoblog
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
