It's hard to understand the appeal of American cars. Well, the Dodge Caliber 'hatchback' was our transport over the weekend. It certainly has a bold and commanding presence and draws all eyes to it, especially with the loud stickers that have been plastered around the car.
A rainy saturday afternoon saw us travelling to clementi central in search of the elusive 'tanglin halt chicken cutlet' (past trips have seen us arriving on a) the wrong day and b) after they closed). so we were gratified to find them open for business when we showed up.
Back to the caliber: inside the cabin, it's easy to discover how the yanks have managed to cut costs even further. there's plastic everywhere, hard, crusty, tacky, and precious little in the manner of aesthetics. a let-down considering how the japanese and europeans have worked towards cabin embellishment and view cars as something more than A-B transport.
Dodge vehicles are targeted at the young and hip, but i wonder if it will see much success in this demographic. i don't remember the PT Cruiser featuring similar standards of build quality. the materials used in the PT were actually quite decent.
The engine works hard under pedal-to-metal acceleration but the caliber never feels like it is going anywhere fast despite the rev-needle climbing high (the CVT ensures the revs never fall during upshifts) and a raucous engine note as accompaniment.
In the words of my better half, "it's making a lot of noise, but we don't seem to be moving anywhere fast!"
Fast Facts: Dodge Caliber SXT
Engine: 1998cc, 16-valves, 4-cyl
Max power: 158bhp at 6400rpm
Max torque: 191Nm at 5000rpm
LxBxH: 4414 x 1748 x 1534 mm
Wheelbase: 2635mm
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