Blast From the Past: Dodge Caliber’s SRT4 – Miami Lakes Automall Dodge

Although it was short-lived and has long since departed Dodge dealership Miami showroom floors, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 was released in 2008 only to make its exit in 2009. Despite its short production period, you can still find used Dodge Caliber SRT4 performance models.

But, why would you want to? We’re glad you asked and we’ll give you the rundown on what made the SRT4 one hot hatch…

A Hatch of a Higher Caliber – Introduced in 2008

Before we look at the SRT4, let’s understand what the Dodge Caliber was without the performance push. First introduced in 2007, the Dodge Caliber was a hatchback designed and manufactured after the Dodge Neon sedan was discontinued.

Basically, we’re talking about a four-door hatchback, available in four trims: the SE, SXT, R/T, and, for the first time in 2008, the SRT4.

With the Dodge Caliber, four is seemingly the magic number. Four doors, four trims, and four available engine choices, depending on consumer preference. Starting with the entry-level SE and the stepped-up SXT, the Caliber came equipped with a base 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine, able to produce 148 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque and operated by a five-speed manual transmission.

But, drivers were given the option of boosting power via the available 2.0-liter engine, with torque measured at 141 lb.-ft. and paired with a standard CVT (continuously variable transmission) for enhanced fuel efficiency.

Under the hood of the Dodge Caliber R/T, expect a 2.4-liter engine, generating 172 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque, exclusively all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive R/T versions were also matched with the CVT.

The Turbocharged SRT4 – Rounds Up Quite a Herd

To appreciate the introduction of the SRT4, it helps to have a little backstory, which we have, courtesy of Jim Wilder, the Lead Synthesis Engineer on the SRT4’s development, who explained that “The base 2.4 engine was a joint program, but the turbo engine was very unique…”

How unique?

The front-wheel drive SRT4 boasted more muscle than any other Dodge Caliber, the result of what Wilder estimates as “thousands of hours of dyno runs. The calibration was all done at Chrysler. In fact, we had early Neons upfitted with these engines and transmissions to start development work before Calibers were even available.”

Thanks to its 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 was ultimately rated at 285 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque, although the target number of horses was originally a bit higher.

“The turbo is probably slightly bigger than what we needed, but at the time we were developing it, we were targeting 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The torque curve is really fat. It peaks at 265 lb.-ft. in third gear, and it’s a flat line across a very wide RPM range. There’s a lot of pull there,” Wilder explained.

Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 could zip from zero to sixty mph in 6.2 seconds, giving it hot hatch street cred.

Or, according to Wilder, “It revs to 6500, and it’s a free-revving car. Second and third gear pulls are a lot of fun in the car. Once the car is rolling, it really hauls the mail.”

In addition to the SRT’s mail-hauling capabilities, other features exclusive to the SRT include an air scoop on the hood, lowered suspension, sport seats, enhanced brakes, complemented by vented front rotors, 19-inch wheels, and, of course, the turbocharged engine.

Optional add-ons existed in the available display broadcasting performance stats, like acceleration times and braking distances.

Spend twelve minutes and get the full story on the SRT4 from Jim Wilder himself.

Standard Safety and Styling Shared By the SRT4 and All Dodge Calibers

All 2008 Dodge Calibers were able to seat five passengers, thanks to its 60/40-split fold-flat rear seats, and came outfitted with some unique bells and whistles, like the flip-down liftgate speakers, the ChillZone beverage cooler, located in the glovebox, and a storage compartment designed specifically to stow away a cell phone or personal music device.

Despite its emphasis on performance, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 came loaded with safety features like four-wheel disc brakes, antilock brakes, side curtain airbags, driver’s knee-blocker airbag, and stability control as standard equipment, with a number of extra options available.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Dodge Caliber, regardless of trim level, awarded the hatch a total of five out of five stars for front-impact and side-impact crash testing. Frontal-offset and side-impact tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety resulted as “Good,” the agency’s highest rating.

With a front grille not unlike that seen on the Dodge Ram trucks, the Caliber’s bold styling was customized by color – eight to be exact. Drivers had an extensive exterior palette to choose from with shades including Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Light Khaki Metallic Clearcoat, Steel Blue Metallic Clearcoat, Stone White Clearcoat, Sunburst Orange Pearlcoat, and Surf Blue Pearlcoat.

Originally priced between $14,965 – $23,350, you can find used 2008 Dodge Calibers listed anywhere from $6,617 to just upwards of $10,200. The Dodge Caliber proved popular enough to roll into the next model year with a few modifications.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 – Quieter, More Tech, But No More AWD

Still positively reviewed for its engine variety, the 2009 Dodge Caliber was only slightly refreshed. Among the revisions, the most notable was arguably the newly available hard-drive navigation and infotainment system.

In addition, the 2009 Caliber received more insulation for a hushed ride; however, the versatility afforded by the all-wheel drive in the R/T was discontinued, a serious drawback for those drivers living in climates with challenging weather.

The color scheme continued pretty much unchanged, with the Deep Water Blue and Light Sandstone substituted for two of the earlier shades.

The SRT4 Send Off

Although the Dodge Caliber SRT4 was officially discontinued following the 2009 model year, it managed to garner a loyal following including some enthusiasts who speculate that the SRT4 could someday join the company of collectible cars down the road.

As always, time will tell…until then, check out the entire current Dodge lineup at your Miami Dodge dealership.

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