Auburn Hills, Mich. -
To better understand a new product, sometimes it helps to know what it is not. Take the all-new
Dodge Nitro, for example.
Nitro is not another mid-size sport-utility vehicle with sleep-inducing styling. Instead, the bold
styling and masculine swagger of Dodge (think Viper, Durango and Caliber) is hot-wired into
Nitro, inside and out.
The Dodge Nitro is not stuck on its handsome good looks. It’s also functional. Nitro’s spacious
interior has room for five passengers, innovative cargo features, and the seating and storage
flexibility to handle the needs of people and their gear.
The Dodge Nitro is not afraid to get frisky. The SXT model — with its 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine,
performance suspension and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels and performance tires —
will have drivers using “sporty” and “SUV” in the same sentence.
With more than 25 safety and security technologies, the Dodge Nitro is no stranger to the
importance of safety.
“The all-new Dodge Nitro is going to heat up the mid-size SUV market by giving consumers a
quality vehicle with masculine good looks, exceptional performance, unsurpassed utility and
features that will surprise and delight,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global
Marketing, Chrysler Group.
The Dodge Nitro is the first-ever mid-size sport-utility vehicle from Dodge, complementing the
brand’s lineup, which now consists of passenger cars, minivans, trucks, commercial vehicles, a
full-size SUV and police vehicles.
Design
The styling of the Dodge Nitro gives the mid-size SUV market something it hasn’t had since —
well — forever: the bold, powerful, street-smart attitude of Dodge.
Dodge Nitro owes its masculine appearance to a number of elements: the signature Dodge
crosshair grille with its three-dimensional ram’s head, prominent fender flares, substantial body
size and high beltline. Even the exterior mirrors and door handles are brawny. The wheels of the
Nitro are pushed to the corners, reinforcing the performance and capability of the vehicle.
On the inside, Dodge Nitro has supportive, comfortable and attractive seats. The front passenger
seat folds flat, while the reclining rear seats fold 60/40.
Across from Nitro’s beefy four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel is a three-pod, four-gauge
instrument panel. The gauges are black with gray and white graphics and orange pointers,
creating a look of technical precision.
Storage is plentiful. The center console has room for hand-held PDAs, cell phones or coins; there
are driver- and passenger-side door compartments; and a map pocket behind the driver’s seat.
The LOAD ’N GO™ floor is a new innovation. This sliding panel holds up to 400 pounds and is
ideal for loading and unloading packages and other items. A reversible molded cargo load floor,
durable and washable, is standard on the Dodge Nitro.
Engineering
The powertrain and chassis options on the 2008 Dodge Nitro are tuned to provide customers with
power, performance, controlled braking and handling, and a smooth, car-like ride.
