2008 Dodge Journey to debut in Frankfurt

Chrysler will use the upcoming IAA motor show in Frankfurt to officially debut its 2008 Dodge Journey crossover SUV. Set to compete against such strong players as the new Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Opel Antara, and the recently introduced 2008 Toyota Highlander, the Journey will definitely have hard time getting to customers' wallets.




The 2008 Dodge Journey, company is reporting in its press release, will be based on the GS platform, used by the 2008 Dodge Avenger, as well as by the aforementioned Mitsubishi Outlander, Jeep Compass, and Dodge Caliber. The platform was stretched by 124 mm, though, to accommodate seven (or, actually, 5 + 2) passengers.



The vehicle will be available in both front- and all-wheel-drive and will be equipped with a choice of at least three engines. The most powerful 3.5-liter V6 powerplant will generate up to 325 hp and 232 lb-ft (314 Nm) of torque. Another engine, a 2.4-liter inline four-pot, will produce only 173 hp and 166ft-lb (224Nm) of torque, while the last powerplant, a 2.7-liter V6, will squeeze out 186 hp and 191ft-lb (259Nm).



There is no info on pricing and general availability yet.



See also: Dodge Nitro UK pricing announced

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Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango to go hybrid

Chrysler says it's planning to start selling its new Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango V8 HEMI-powered SUVs equipped with the Two-Mode hybrid powertrain, developed by DaimlerChrysler, BMW and GM. The vehicles will be presented to the public sometime during the next year and will reportedly feature 25% better fuel economy and 40% better efficiency in the city cycle.



KickingTires calculates that, featuring 14/19 mpg city/highway with a HEMI engine, the Chrysler Aspen's mileage will increase to 19.6/23 mpg respectively. Although the gain in mileage will likely be offset during the next couple of years because of rising oil-prices, the hybrid powertrain will nevertheless help both gas-guzzlers stay afloat until more fuel-efficient engines will arrive.



See also: 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid debuts

Technorati tags: Chrysler, Chrysler Aspen, Dodge Durango, hybrid, SUV

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Dodge Nitro UK pricing announced

OMG, how do they calculate prices for the Old World?



While in the United States the new Dodge Nitro mid-size SUV is available at a meager $19,885 price, in the United Kingdom the vehicle will start from enormous £18,990, which is almost twice as expensive than the U.S. version costs. And you still accuse Apple of price discrimination? Come on.



The Dodge Nitro SUV will be launched in SE and SXT trims available in both front- and all-wheel-drive and either manual or an automatic gearboxes. The choice of engines will also be limited to only two, so you'll have little trouble choosing between a 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 petrol engine producing a maximum of 203 bhp and 232 lb.-ft. of torque and a 2.8-litre common-rail turbocharged oil-burner achieving up to 174 bhp and peak torque of 339 lb.-ft with a fuel economy figure of 30.1 mpg.



The price list goes as follows:

Model	Transmission	Price
Dodge Nitro 2.8 CRD SE	six-speed manual	£18,990
Dodge Nitro 2.8 CRD SXT	six-speed manual	£22,490
Dodge Nitro 2.8 CRD SXT	five-speed automatic	£23,490
Dodge Nitro 3.7 SXT	five-speed automatic	£23,490

See also: Hyundai Veracruz crossover will start at $26,350

Technorati tags: Dodge, Nitro, price, SUV, SOHC, diesel, United Kingdom, cars

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