Sunday, July 28, 2013
2008 Dodge Avenger Preview
Intent on expanding Dodges scope in Europe and other global markets, DaimlerChrysler chose le Mondial de lAutomobile next week in Paris to debut the Dodge Avenger concept.The car is said to be a close preview of the 2008 Avenger mid-size sedan, set for production next year.
It will replace the Dodge Stratus, not sold in Canada.
But the Avenger is expected to be available up here.
Based on the same platform as the Chrysler Sebring, which arrives this fall, Avenger incorporates strong Dodge styling elements similar to those used on the Charger sedan.
What it Looks Like
Dodge is betting that legions of sedan buyers out there want more style than your typical brown-bag Camry, Accord, or Sonata, and that many will like the Avenger. It may be a strong bet. With a one-two punch of the more sophisticated Sebring and aggressive Avenger, Chrysler group dealers have two good-looking sedans with which to lift sales. That said, the Avenger will polarize its share of consumers, what with styling cues that strongly resemble the Charger: long hood, short deck, huge fender flares that threaten to dwarf its wheels, and a Dodge crosshair grille that talks a louder game than its engines can deliver. Notable styling cues are its side arches, angular front end and all-around macho look.
Whats Under the Hood
This is where the Avenger runs and hides. Expect the Avenger to come equipped with a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder. That same engine generates 150 horsepower in the new Sebring and gets an EPA rated 22/30 mpg. Those who want more power will have a choice between a 2.7-liter V6 engine (200 horsepower in the Sebring) or a 3.5-liter V6 (235 horsepower in the Sebring), the latter of which is surely destined for the Avenger R/T. Transmission choices will include Chrysler’s new six-speed automatic.
Why it Matters
Built off the same platform as the 2007 Chrysler Sebring and utilizing the same global Mitsu-Hyundai-Chrysler family of engines, the Avenger boots the insignificant Stratus from the Dodge lineup and gives Dodge dealers a complete set of newly designed cars to sell, starting with the popular Caliber hatch. Its Charger looks, combined with more polite road manners, may make it a hit with buyers who want that chaw-chomping, stubble-chin style but aren’t willing to sacrifice a nice and sedate daily commute.
2008 Dodge Avenger Midsize Sedan
What We Know:
Based on the redesigned 07 Chrysler Sebring , the Avenger has the same mechanicals but brings more attitude to the table. In place of the Sebrings tentative, almost ungainly stance, the Avenger squats, revealing a powerful set of haunches at each corner. These exaggerated wheel arches are certainly over the top, but they do help mask the midsize Avengers narrower-than-normal body. The concept car wore 19-inch Bridgestone Potenzas, but even those arent large enough to fill the wells.
More jarring is the violent upswing of the Avengers beltline as it meets up with the C-pillar. We think its too disturbing to appear on a production car, but Chief Designer Ryan Nagodi makes no apologies. "In a sea of other sedans, we really wanted some cues where you get this strong gesture."
No such gestures come from under the concept cars hood, where theres an unassuming 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder. This will be the most popular engine option among the small number of Avengers the company manages to sell in Europe, but in the U.S., you can expect the same trio of gasoline engines found in the Sebring — a 2.4-liter inline-4, a 2.7-liter V6 and a 3.5-liter V6. Dodge is holding back all other performance details, but we do know the Avenger will offer a full set of side airbags, stability control and a hard drive-based navigation system with 20 GB of MP3 storage.
