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Posts Tagged “

Dodge Nitro

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spy photos

Dodge Nitro SRT8?!

Chrysler can't seriously be thinking of bringing an SRT8-badged Dodge Nitro to market, can they? Well, if this latest batch of spy photos from the spy shooters at KGP are right, then they are. But they can't be! Seriously. It's inconceivable. We don't care where they found this manufacturer-plated madness (right outside of the Firehouse in downtown Detroit) or what it has slapped on the back (an SRT8 badge), but it's hard to argue with photographic evidence. We'll assume it's an engineer having a little bit of fun or perhaps another media outlet playing around with the cameras. Because seriously — it's got to be that. The other option? It's just too horrible to imagine. Full spy report from KGP after the jump.

More »

Spy Photos

11:12 AM on Wed Mar 12 2008
By Wes Siler
4,899 views, 69 comments

Latest by n/a: Maybe it will be able to tow at least 4 tons. Perhaps they squeezed a flex fuel 4.7 liter magnum in it with a high compression ratio. more »

gaming

Oregon Trail Remake Ditches Wagons for SUVs, Hybrids And... Umm, Wagons

The cult classic game, Oregon Trail, has finally received a much needed update. Thule Trail is an independent game still utilizing the same style of graphics, but an updated story line that involves a cross-country trip to a music festival in a variety of cars including the Honda Insight, Dodge Nitro or an old Volvo station wagon, rather than a 19th century cross country trip of settlers in a rickety wagon. More »

4:45 PM on Mon Dec 17 2007
By Travis Hudson
2,905 views, 26 comments

ad watch

New 2008 Jeep Liberty Is Afraid Of Cameras, Goes "On Road, Off Road"


When we first saw the new 2008 Jeep Liberty at a pre-New York Auto Show briefing session we can't help but feel very sad. One of us has been a proud owner of a Jeep Liberty and truly enjoys taking his little baby bug off the beaten path whenever possible. While we're not at all impugning the capabilities of this new small SUV all about lettin' freedom ring, we were a little bit disappointed that it in many ways looks like and feels like (the interior) a re-badged Dodge Nitro. Still, in this new commercial for Jeep, the boys n' girls at BBDO (we think they've still got the account — who knows these days?) are trying to show off the off-road capabilities of "The New Small SUV" from "The New Chrysler" by watching as it can't seem to stay on the road. We know that feeling all too well.

9:45 AM on Thu Sep 27 2007
By Ray Wert
3,632 views, 25 comments

Latest by n/a: this commercial is really cool. I like the one with the Austrailian guy with the giant sledge hammer who smashes his own agency, ...oh, wait that's not a commercial. more »

ad watch

Dodge Nitro Kills Dog, Makes Us Cry A Little


We think we know where Dodge is going with this little commercial viral video we're assuming was made for the Euro market showing the Dodge Nitro electrocuting a dog that gets too close to those chrome rims. We think they're trying to separate themselves as the Chrysler Group's "boy brand." But our only issue is — should a brand all about the message of "Grab Life," be taking it away? Just askin'...and plus, isn't the dog getting it in the end kinda anticlimactic? We still cried a little, but you know, still?

8:30 AM on Thu Jul 19 2007
By Ray Wert
64,044 views, 50 comments

Latest by judithkay41: The Dodge Nitro commercial is the product of a sick mind, whether it runs in Europe or the US.As a retired teacher I can tell you that many young people(children) watch commercials intently, and to suggest that it is okay more »

thar they blow

Chrysler Execs to Sebring, Nitro: Drop Dead

Apparently, the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Nitro are such crap, even Chrysler executives can't muster the requisite team spirit to defend them. Well, maybe not crap, per se. How about "embarrassing misses." And let's face it, these two are indeed the most embarrassing misses since Betty Ford (you'll get that joke later). Those and other descriptors turned up on an Internet Q&A among Chrysler employees who feel the company turned out two losers that are behind competitors on nearly all major categories, from design to drivetrain to fuel economy to noise and vibration. According to the online convo, the company hit a competitive target that underestimated where competitors would be when the cars were released. Yoinks. – Mike Spinelli More »

11:29 AM on Fri Jun 8 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,551 views, 27 comments

Latest by Turboner: Maybe, they should be trying to make their cars the best they can be, instead of making them good enough just to compete with where their competition is going to be. Why does everything have to be so relative? more »

jalopnik reviews

Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 2WD, Part 2

Exterior Appearance ****
As ungainly as it is, I like the way the Nitro looks. The high belt line and gun-slit windows scream "Don't look at me while you're looking at me." The busy front is its worst side, but at least the hodgepodge of tough-guy cues is unique. The over-rendered wheel arches and acres of metal adorning the sides are the Nitro's visual strong points, though I must admit to finding the rear of pleasant to look at. A feat, I should mention, that hasn't been pulled off in an SUV since DCX shuttered the Cherokee. If you squint, you can see a Jeep lurking beneath. I even liked the 20" chrome-a-tone wheels, as they caused another friend of mine to ask, "Is that a mini Hummer?" One more thing. Why "Nitro"? With looks like these, I would have called it the "Ram Wagon." More »

Feature

12:00 PM on Tue Feb 6 2007
By Mike Spinelli
996 views, 23 comments

Latest by vividblurry: I haven't taken it for a ride but when I saw the Nitro at the DC Auto Show my coworker and I hopped it and were definitely surprised at how spacious it was. My coworker is 6'+ and had no more »

jalopnik reviews

Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 2WD, Part 1

Recently, a friend and I stood staring at the massive, awkward fascia of a Dodge Nitro, trying to make heads and/or tails of it. The otherwise monumental Crossfire motif of the grill was, in fact, dwarfed by the bulging bumper and drooping ground effects. "I think I think it's ugly," I said, unsure as I've ever been about a car. "Yeah, well, I'd rather have [the Nitro] than that," my friend said, pointing to a wholly anonymous Honda CRV parked nearby. He raised a fair and solid point; I hadn't even noticed the Japanese cute-ute sitting not more than 20 inches away. "Or that" he exclaimed, gesturing toward a Lexus RX330, one of the flashier eyesores in the lot. Again, he was right. Based on nothing but aesthetic considerations, the Nitro beat both of those dull-as-eggs class leaders, pants down. More »

Feature

12:14 PM on Mon Feb 5 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,486 views, 48 comments

Latest by n/a: Sorry, but I too was disappointed in the review. I like the looks of the Nitro and am curious about performance feedback etc....of the R/T unit. What was the ride like, cornering... None of that was given. It appears that more »

news

Nothing On This World Left To Tune: Startech Takes On The Dodge Nitro

Must be why the Chrysler-tuning side of BRABUS decided to go underground to seek the next vehicle to Startech-stamp. Because oh look, they came up with the tunneling lack-o-cute, the Dodge Nitro. And really, you just know it's gonna be a killer tune job when the second paragraph of the press release touts the vehicle's new hotness as being "a more homogeneous transition between front and rear wheel houses." Nothing says cool to us like homogeneity. But hey, at the very least they've boosted the diesel version of the next Jeep Liberty from the stock power output of 140 hp to a SD3 performance kit boost-enabled 180 hp. Torque output pops up a similar percent increase — but still only hits 266 lb-ft. Not bad, but we'd rather take the 420 out for a torque-y spin instead. Full gallery below and the release is after the jump. – Ray Wert More »

2:45 PM on Mon Jan 15 2007
By Ray Wert
107,850 views, 6 comments

Latest by n/a: Where can I get that body kit for the Nitro more »

ad watch

Ad Watch: The Dodge Nitro -- Now With Twice The Time, Twice The Heaviness Of The Original Commercial

Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to show you the new 30 second BBDO NY spot for the Dodge Nitro, with a hint we'd seen a bigger version of this breaking-through-the-earth ad over the weekend. Well, we've now got the big and anything but cute 60 second Nitro "Planet" spot, and here it is — but other than being a bit more funny (I dunno why I find walking Moai funny, but whatevs), I've still got no idea what the message is. But the more burning question for us is — who the hell is playing cards in Hell with the two demons? Is that Gary Marshall? – Ray Wert More »

10:06 AM on Thu Nov 9 2006
By Ray Wert
323 views, 5 comments

Latest by tonsoffun: Pretty catchy. I like it. At least it is better than Ford's commercials... Oh wait, every other commercial is better than Ford's... more »

ad watch

Ad Watch: The Dodge Nitro's So Heavy, Man

You may have seen this ad already — a 60 second version of the spot above debuted on Sunday — and much of the ducats spent went to showing the commercial on CBS NFL, Fox NFL Sunday, NASCAR racing on NBC and "Law & Order" on TNT. But apparently the commercial, which is supposed to reflect "the masculine, bold design of the Nitro" won't just be airing where you'd be expecting guys to be. Mark Spencer, the senior manager of Dodge's marketing and global communications also plans for the ad to run on "Desperate Housewives" and "Crossing Jordan", because,
"At the same time, the campaign will be in front of women using mass media not usually associated with the Dodge brand, and it's 'Grab Life by the Horns' persona..."
Ok, here's a question for you Mark — if you're aiming this directly at guys — why even bother dropping ad dollars on shoving it in the faces of non-targeted consumers? Doesn't that seem to be a bit of a waste? And secondly, what's up with the ad itself? The creative, dubbed "Planet" — straight from the always-smarter-than-the-consumer BBDO NY team ( a team that, after this creative hit, I'm starting to dub the BBDO "B team" ) — seems to not have a very clear message going here. Are they trying to say... More »

4:05 PM on Mon Nov 6 2006
By Ray Wert
773 views, 9 comments

Latest by CatchUpLady: I like the commercials - BBDO/Dodge is on it between all the funny Caliber ads ("it scares the #$** out of me") and now these - they are getting people talking. I like the looks of the Nitro personally more »

sema

Exclusive 2006 SEMA Preview: Dodge Nitro's Bringing The Paneling To Carry The Shingles, Tools And Nails

We'd seen one early sketch last month — the same time we saw the early sketch on the big HEMI Nitro purple people eater we've already thrown to you power-hungry wolves out there — and now we've got more pics and more deets for this SEMA SkunkWerks surprise from the boys n' girls at the Chrysler Group. It's got a 3.7-liter, 12-valve, SOHC V6 pushing out 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque (not quite the HEMI Nitro's 360 hp, but enough for a bit of go). It's definitely got a bit of "hot rod" flavor — or maybe a bit of surf wagon style. Either way, it's got modern flair due to the hand-fabrication and modifications made to the bodyside aperture, and it's got a very clear Mopar theme going on with the unique rear compartment with custom storage bins and a sliding load floor beefier than the normal "load-n-go" found on the average Nitro. Strap on some one-off Alcoa-forged 20" wheels wrapped in big ol' BF Goodrich g-Force 265/50VR20's and you'll make any delivery person's day. Full gallery via the link below. – Ray Wert More »

7:21 PM on Fri Oct 27 2006
By Ray Wert
962 views, 7 comments

Latest by OldElvis: The PT panel van, like this one, is a great design. It should be made. Even the HHR looked good like this. I would assume that this could be done reasonable easy, and instead of vehicles like more »

sema

Exclusive 2006 SEMA Preview: Yeah, This Dodge Nitro's Got A HEMI

Remember that HEMI-powered Dodge Nitro we showed a quick sketch of last month — the one Edmunds told us was going to be ready to show as a one-off at SEMA? We told you the vitals last time:
The modified 5.7-liter V8 [HEMI] will be paired with a Tremec five-speed, Brembo brakes and 22-inch Alcoa wheels (can't wait). The paint job will be a black-purple metallic (also known as blackberry), with a two-tone interior in black and slate gray, with four bucket seats lifted from the its Viper sibling.
Well, we can now confirm all of that's correct — and on top of the gallery we've linked to below from our secret undercover mission into the heart of Auburn Hills, we can add to that the following additional details — it's also got Yokohama tires (285/35R22) and Kicker subs in the trunk. Also, it's really pucking furple. – Ray Wert More »

6:10 PM on Fri Oct 27 2006
By Ray Wert
2,012 views, 12 comments

Latest by Vintage Racer: Paint does have a bass boat metalflake look to it..... more »

custom cars/hot rods

Dodge to Show Panel Nitro Workup at SEMA

Panel van, sedan delivery, cruising wagon, whatever you call a squareback without windows, Dodge's Nitro Panel Wagon prototype — which it plans to show at SEMA — is squarely in that category. Once mainly the province of flower shops, bakeries and grocery slingers, the windowless utility car gained popularity in the custom-crazee 1970s as a cheap nookie den for the vanless. Now, the Mopar gang is planning to show up Chevrolet's HHR Panel Van in style, if not production. One question: Where's the porthole window? – Mike Spinelli More »

11:57 AM on Wed Oct 18 2006
By Mike Spinelli
1,370 views, 7 comments

Latest by OConnellarts: Comon' Dodge do something different....Take charge of a whole new segment of Off Road Travel Make this Panel Wagon AWD and keep it afforable With the loss of the Dodge Caravan AWD to allow stow-n-go seating there are many of us out here more »

custom cars/hot rods: tuners

SEMA Preemie: Dodge's Hemi-Powered Nitro Show Truck

With the SEMA show starting next month, Dodge revealed teaser sketches and a few choice details on the aftermarket-tweaked showgirls show trucks it plans to unveil. Two versions of the Nitro SUV are in the works, according to Edmunds Inside Line, one of which will have a Hemi beneath that box hood. The modified 5.7-liter V8 will be paired with a Tremec five-speed, Brembo brakes and 22-inch Alcoa wheels (can't wait). The paint job will be a black-purple metallic (also known as blackberry), with a two-tone interior in black and slate gray, with four bucket seats lifted from the its Viper sibling. The second Nitro will be an ersatz surf wagon, with a sliding load floor. Dodge was mum on its third show pony, a tricked out Challenger. More »

12:04 PM on Fri Sep 22 2006
By Mike Spinelli
1,350 views, 4 comments

Latest by Artie Lange: Nitro is the antidote for the upcoming Jellybean crossovers you just mentioned. more »

spy photos

Spy Photos: 2007 Dodge Nitro


As we get closer and closer to the reveal date of the newest member of the Dodge family we're starting to get more and more reports of the Nitro out in the wild, often times without the ubiquitous fascia obscura. Despite (or due to) the efforts of Chrysler's engineers — our enterprising spotters in the wild have been snagging shot after shot including these pics which would make even Priddy proud — taken by our man with the cam in Arizona — Tim. Dunno who he had to bribe to get 'em — but feast your eyes on this cousin of the Jeep Liberty with a set of crosshairs in the front. More »

Spy Photos

7:34 AM on Tue Jun 6 2006
By Ray Wert
436 views, 9 comments

Latest by Adam: Did everyone go blind? That thing is HIDEOUS. That front bumper/fender conglomeration looks like something out of a design school dropout's portfolio he's trying to sell to a fledgling aftermarket company... sheesh... more »

spy photos

Watch Out for that Mule: Pre-production 2007 Dodge Nitro Runs Stop Sign, Hits Truck

Preprare for a spate of "smashing debut" jokes. A 2007 Dodge Nitro driven by a DaimlerChrysler employee blew a stop sign in Toledo yesterday and smashed into the back of a semi. No one was injured but the yet-to-be launched Dodge SUV, which suffered a bruised fascia, was inadvertantly outed in production trim by the TV crew that captured the aftermath on video. But worse off is likely the test driver, whom we'd imagine might find his next assignment from DCX to be hauling old Neons to the dump. (Please excuse the random ad of old people attached to the YouTube video — those Toledo TV bastards!) More »

Spy Photos

7:17 AM on Sat May 13 2006
By Mike Spinelli
210 views, 2 comments

Latest by Ray Wert: Now it'll work -- thank goodness for YouTube, right? :) more »

spy photos

Spy Photos: 2007 Dodge Nitro, Close to Production

What's the point of spy shots when you already know what a car is going to look like, you ask? Different air vents! Of course! A slight change in air-vent design sets apart the production Nitro from the concept model, which has been making the rounds at the world's auto shows of late. Shame on you for missing that. More »

Spy Photos

9:11 AM on Tue Oct 11 2005
By Mike Spinelli
202 views

spy photos

Spy Photos: 2007 Dodge Nitro SRT8?

The Car Connection speculates on a new, V8-powered Dodge Nitro. Apparently, according to sources, the SRT-tuned version of Dodge's new small SUV — kin to the Jeep Liberty — is on the same development schedule as the base model. The question is, will it have some kind of upclocked version of the 3.7-liter V6, or will a Hemi be shoehorned into the lil' rocker's engine bay? Time, or more deeply embedded spies, will tell. More »

Spy Photos

10:30 AM on Tue Sep 6 2005
By Mike Spinelli
761 views

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