2005 Dodge Nitro Concept

Peering Into Dodges Future

With the "midsize" Durango bordering on full-size, theres a lot of room for growth in the sport utility segment within Dodge.

To make this point clearer still, most competitive brands offer compact and midsize models, with some even featuring two SUVs in each class, one car-based, optimizing road-holding, and the other truck-based, designed for off-road utility. Therefore Dodge could potentially add up to five new models to its sport utility lineup without even entering the full-size segment.

If you were wondering when the execs behind the Chrysler Group division would take advantage of the equity instilled in the Ram brand, the time is upon us. Its already no secret that a compact SUV is forthcoming, based on the next-generation Neon (see automotive news section for Feb 1, 2005: Next-Generation Chrysler Compact Aiming to Shake Up Segment), but what about a midsize model, smaller than the Durango?

With North America seemingly on a downsizing trend, such a move makes a great deal of sense. Enter the Dodge Nitro concept, what would be Dodges first midsize SUV if built. Unlike the Durango, the Nitro is design to carry only five occupants and their cargo, more similar in size to Jeeps Grand Cherokee.

Like the Grand Cherokee, the Nitro is a distinctive design statement. Its bold in traditional Dodge fashion, with the a unique version of the brands trademark crosshair grille up front and centre, embellished in chrome and flanked by a pair of wraparound headlamp clusters, that mirror the curves of the hood above.

That hood is one of the flattest in recent memory, reminding me of early SUVs more utilitarian in nature than todays conveyances. The side panels, other than the pronounced wheel arches fore and aft, are slab-sided with a narrow greenhouse stretching backward to an abruptly vertical liftgate.

"The Dodge Nitro concept is brimming with character; it evokes emotion through its rugged styling and dominant stance," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Design. "This is more than just another typical mid-size SUV design statement."

A few design cues draw the eye immediately, starting with the brushed silver 3-slat engine vents on each front fender, XXL chrome door handles, and polished 20-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Dodge also added an integrated trailer tow hitch in the back, attractive chrome dual exhaust tail pipes, and a brushed silver license plate visor.

The roof gets the satin silver treatment too, accented with a black-trimmed roof rack and crossbars situated between integrated side rails, as functional as stylish.

"Although the Dodge Nitro concept is a midsize sport-utility vehicle, its expressive form and fullness of surface are similar to that of much larger SUVs," commented Rick Aneiros, Vice President - Jeep and Truck Design. "The vehicle is not just an exercise in design; its attributes are functional and purposeful."

I find it interesting that square, boxy styling is once again en vogue, and in the case of the SUV segment quite handy as its the best configuration for maximizing interior space.

And theres a fair bit of space in the cargo bay; up to 32.3 cubic feet with all seats upright and 66.9 cubic feet when the second row is folded flat - the front seats fold flat too. The cargo floor is composed of a textured vinyl that is said to be rugged enough for daily wear, and easy to clean. Dodge has included an innovative loading floor, which slides rearward for more convenient access when lifting in heavy, awkward items. Dodge also integrated modular storage bins, one featuring a first aid kit.

From a visual perspective theres a lot of passenger space as well, with a tall roofline resulting in a 69.2 inch height, substantial width at 73.1 inches, and ample wheelbase at 108.3 inches.

Hints of the Nitros "Anodized Red" exterior paint scheme carries over to the interior, but instead of paint the distinctive hue adorns the leather seat inserts, door panels, and lower dash. Chrome and brushed silver brightwork deliver a fresh, contemporary environment, while matte black plastic surfaces are an ideal contrast.

I like the three-pod, four-gauge instrument panel, which includes white dial faces that incidentally feature electroluminescent lighting. Red pointers and a silver accent band enhance the design.

The first thing my eyes gravitated to, mind you, was the satin silver centre stack and console. The stack is substantial, similar to that on a Durangos dash, but it appears higher in tactile quality. Large, beautifully detailed knobs and buttons should make actuation while wearing winter gloves possible, important in the colder climes where SUVs are most popular. Perched up top is a seven-inch fixed LED monitor connecting to a DVD-based navigation system.

The seats, with their bright red inserts, are trimmed in black leather just about everywhere else, excepting the headrest centres that feature black webbing, and adjustment handles once again highlighted with brushed silver trim.

It must have taken a great deal of willpower for the Nitros powertrain team to keep from stuffing a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 under the hood, but the fact that a stock 210-horsepower 3.7-litre V6 with 235 lb-ft of torque was chosen for this concept is a pretty good sign that it might be more than merely a flight of fancy.

Equally production oriented, the engine is mated up to a 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission. While hardly state of the art, the 42RLE has proven to be a reliable workhorse.

Workhorse might be the apropos title for the Nitro when it comes to performance. While hardly embarrassing, its zero to 60 mph time of 9.6 seconds, standing quarter mile of 16.9 seconds and 108 mph top speed isnt about to have import tuners peering into the cargo bay to find a can of nitrous hooked up via a braided hose - despite the concepts name.

Handling should be good, however, with an independent short/long arm front suspension setup and a five-link rear system. Its 7.8 inches of ground clearance, means that medium duty off-road capability should be possible.

Dodge isnt saying what Chrysler Group chassis architecture the Nitro is based upon, if any, but my guess would be the Jeep Grand Cherokee. First of all, building one SUV off of the Grand Cherokee platform isnt optimizing economies of scale enough to be competitive in todays ruthless automotive market. Sure the upcoming seven-occupant Jeep Commander will be based on a lengthened and widened version of the GC platform, but it would be silly for Dodge to create its own unique architecture for the Nitro, if built.

Secondly the Nitro is about the same size as the Grand Cherokee; 1.5 inches taller, probably due to the 20-inch concept wheels and tires, and 0.2 inches narrower, a negligible difference that could merely be the result of unique styling. At 178.8 inches long without a hitch and 179.7 inches with one, the new concept is shorter than the GC by 6.9 inches at its longest - a fairly substantial difference but one that could also be attributed to the Nitros near vertical liftgate.

The concepts wheelbase is nearly identical to the Grand Cherokee, mind you, only being 1.1 inches shorter, while both feature similar cargo capacity; the GC nudging the Nitro out by about 2.8 cubic feet with the rear seats upright and only 0.3 cubic feet when the seats are folded flat.

Now that were talking dimensions and measurements, the Nitro weighs in at 4,115 pounds, which is 261 pounds lighter than the 4,376 pound Grand Cherokee Laredo. The Laredo features a 4.7-litre V8, however, which would make up a great deal of the extra weight.

I suppose what might be the most intriguing prospect to comparing the Grand Cherokee and Nitro, is the prospect of alternative powertrains. The JC comes with Chrysler Groups strong 4.7-litre V8, as mentioned above, which would go a long way to making the Nitro more, well, "Nitro", if you get what Im trying to say. Of course, the automakers 5.7-litre HEMI would give it more bang as well, as would the 425-horsepower 6.1-litre HEMI - the first already available in the GC and the second on its way as a special SRT8 version.

While Dodge is selling a lot of vehicles, delivering 1.4 million worldwide in 2004, it would no doubt like to increase its 6.9 percent market share. The Nitro, or something similar, will help it do just that. Therefore, get ready for a midsize SUV from Dodge, as well as a compact SUV, new compact Neon replacement, etc, etc.

With the Ram brand soon being made available across Europe in 2006, any number of new vehicles could be headed our way.