2008
DODGE NEW SUV and WAGON MODEL GUIDE
 A
minivan, two sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
and one crossover utility vehicle (CUV)
carry the ram-horned badge of Dodge. For
2008, Dodge's best-selling Grand Caravan
series of minivans comes to market in
a new generation of designs featuring
clever cabin seat arrangements. The big
Durango SUV from Dodge packs a new flex-fuel
V8 engine option, while the mid-size Nitro
SUV offers off-road capabilities. Dodge's
compact-class CUV with multiple cabin
convenience options is named Caliber.
 Grand
Caravan
Dodge's minivans show up with new designs
for 2008. The body earns a 2-inch wheelbase
stretch and clean sheetmetal lines for
an athletic stance, while the stretched
cabin offers three different three-row
seat arrangements. Select a second-row
bench with fold-in-the-floor third-row
seat (and power-fold option) and inventive
Stow 'n Go with second and third tier
seats folding into below-deck stow bins.
Also available is the new Swivel 'n Go
with second-row buckets rotating to face
back-row seats and a fold-up table centered
between rows. Three powertrains culminate
at the new 4.0-liter V6 worth 240 horsepower
with a six-speed automatic shifter.
 Durango
Dodge's SUV measures almost as large a
full-size wagon, with cabin space for
seven on the three banks of seats. It
presents rear-wheel, two-wheel-drive (2WD)
or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction choices.
The 2008 Durango scores a new flex-fuel
(E85-compatible) 4.7-liter V8 pumping
303 horsepower. The sase plant is a 3.7-liter
V6 worth 210 horsepower, while the over-the-top
power option is a 330-horsepower, 5.7-liter
HEMI V8 with multi-displacement system
(MDS) to conserve fuel. New gear available
includes a power rear liftgate, remote
engine starter, one-touch lane-change
signal, express up-and-down windows, heated
cloth seats and dual-zone climate controls.
 Nitro
This mid-size SUV looks bold, offering
seating for five with a flexible seat
design and three trims available trims
— the entry Nitro SXT, upscale Nitro
SLT and sporty Nitro R/T. The stock powertrain
is a 3.7-liter V6 with 210 horsepower
and a six-speed manual shifter or optional
four-speed automatic. The Nitro R/T totes
a torque-heavy, 4.0-liter V6 worth 260
horsepower through a five-speed automatic.
An electronic stability program (ESP)
and curtain-style air bags go into every
Nitro, while the 4WD traction choices
include part-time or full-time systems.
The ParkSense rear park assist (RPA) system
is also new for 2008 Nitros.
 Caliber
Dodge's five-door CUV rides on car's chassis
with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive
(AWD) traction options and fun-to-drive
ride and handling traits. The cabin holds
seats for five, along with ample cargo
space in the rear and safety features
like curtain-style side air bags and the
anti-skid ESP device. Three trims build
with equipment and engine strength are
available including the Caliber SE, SXT
and R/T. Three four-cylinder engines for
the Caliber expand from 1.8 liters to
2.0 liters and 2.4 liters — producing
148 horsepower, 158 horsepower and 172
horsepower, respectively.
For
more information on Dodge
SUVs and wagons.
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