Dodge Nitro
Encyclopedia
The Dodge Nitro is a compact SUV
from the Dodge
division of Chrysler
. Launched for the 2007 model year, the Nitro shares its platform with the second generation Jeep Liberty
. It is assembled at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio
. The Jeep
facility is part of an automobile complex which includes the Toledo South Assembly Plant, home to the Jeep Wrangler
since the 1940s. The Nitro made its debut in February 2005 at the Chicago Auto Show
, as a concept car featuring an aluminum themed interior design. Aluminum-trimmed vents behind the front fenders, and other aluminum trim around the door handles and rear hatch, were routinely displayed as the center stack and shifter also included a finish in satin silver.
The Nitro became Dodge's first compact SUV
model since the Raider was discontinued in 1990. It also became the first modern Dodge branded automobile to be sold in Europe
since its introduction in early 2007. In the U.S., the Nitro went into production in August 2006 and went on sale in September of the same year as a 2007 model. All Nitros are available with rear-wheel drive, and part-time four-wheel drive
is available as an option. The Nitro was Dodge's entry-level SUV until the 2009 model year, when the larger, car-based Dodge Journey
crossover SUV
priced below it, arrived in showrooms. Compared to its shared platform with the Jeep Liberty, the Nitro is longer, lower, and wider. The extra length is split between the rear seat and the cargo area.
The Nitro originally came equipped with an SUV class-leading 5,000-pound towing capacity. Safety features such as electronic roll mitigation, traction control and side curtain airbags, as well as a functional sliding cargo floor called Load 'N Go were also offered as standard equipment. Similar to a system offered on the Saab 9-5
station wagon
, the floor can be extended through the rear hatch by 18 in (457 mm) to ease loading. Another attribute of the SUV, is its aggressive hot rod
styling; complete with a bulged muscular appearance and unmistakable pronounced fenders.
.
During 2008, the Nitro came in both a 4x2 and a 4x4 versions with each offering two trims: the SXT and the SLT. Both trims came with a standard 210-hp 3.7 liter V6 engine. The SXT trim included a standard six-speed manual transmission with an optional four-speed automatic. The SLT trim came with a standard four-speed automatic but the optional R/T package increased the level of equipment with a 260-hp 4.0 liter V6 engine
mated to a five-speed automatic transmission
. The Nitro's SXT trim offered standard amenities such as power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning and seating for five. The SXT and R/T added alloy wheels, power driver's seat, stain repellent cloth, the Load 'N Go retractable cargo floor, cruise control and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. Standard safety features included; front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.
In 2009, the Nitro was offered in both a 4x2 and a 4x4 versions with two trims levels; the SE and the SLT. Both trim levels came with a standard 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The SXT with its six-speed manual transmission
had been replaced by the SE trim which featured the automatic transmission. The SLT trim offered the optional R/T package which was made available with a 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Nitro's SE trim offered standard amenities such as power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning and seating for five. The SXT and R/T added alloy wheels, power driver's seat, stain repellent cloth, the Load 'N Go retractable cargo floor, cruise control and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. Standard safety features included; front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.
For the 2010 model year, three new model designations became available; Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels. The 4x2 and a 4x4 versions, could be had as either Heat, Detonator, or Shock trim. The Heat trim was equipped with a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Detonator and Shock trims were fitted with a 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Heat trim level offered power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, and air conditioning. The Detonator added a rear-park assist, remote start system, power driver's seat, cruise control, an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. The premium Shock trim level added heated front seats, leather trim interior, and a power sunroof. Among standard safety features were: front airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor. For all trim levels, the Load 'N Go sliding trunk floor feature was discontinued.
The 2011 model year brought back the previous year's three model designations; Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels. The 4x2 and 4x4 versions again became available in either Heat, Detonator, or in Shock trim. The 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, and the 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission were carried over as well. New for 2011, the Heat 4.0 lifestyle package joined the Detonator, Shock and Heat models. The Heat 4.0 came standard with a five-speed automatic transmission
, Uconnect Phone and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. Also, select models came with upgraded interiors with new cloth and leather with premium colored stitching. Detonator and Shock were branded with Dodge Brand’s signature racing stripes. Additionally, all models became available with nine exterior colors, including Bright White Clear Coat, Blackberry Pearl Coat, Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Redline Two Coat Pearl.
& Canada
list no 2012 retail Nitros.
Compact SUV
Compact SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length roughly between . This class should not be confused with mini SUV, which refers to smaller vehicles.- Background :...
from the Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
division of Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
. Launched for the 2007 model year, the Nitro shares its platform with the second generation Jeep Liberty
Jeep Liberty
Inspired by styling from the Dakar and Jeepster concept cars, the Liberty was intended as a replacement for the discontinued Jeep Cherokee . Three trim levels were initially offered; the top end Limited, a more rugged looking Renegade and the base Sport. All were made available with either 2WD or 4WD...
. It is assembled at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. The Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
facility is part of an automobile complex which includes the Toledo South Assembly Plant, home to the Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a subcompact four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle and an off-road vehicle manufactured by American automaker Chrysler, under its Jeep marque – and now in its fourth generation. It is a successor to the famous World War II 'Jeep' vehicle by way of the Willys civilian...
since the 1940s. The Nitro made its debut in February 2005 at the Chicago Auto Show
Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Placeconvention complex. It is among the largest auto shows in North America....
, as a concept car featuring an aluminum themed interior design. Aluminum-trimmed vents behind the front fenders, and other aluminum trim around the door handles and rear hatch, were routinely displayed as the center stack and shifter also included a finish in satin silver.
The Nitro became Dodge's first compact SUV
Compact SUV
Compact SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length roughly between . This class should not be confused with mini SUV, which refers to smaller vehicles.- Background :...
model since the Raider was discontinued in 1990. It also became the first modern Dodge branded automobile to be sold in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
since its introduction in early 2007. In the U.S., the Nitro went into production in August 2006 and went on sale in September of the same year as a 2007 model. All Nitros are available with rear-wheel drive, and part-time four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
is available as an option. The Nitro was Dodge's entry-level SUV until the 2009 model year, when the larger, car-based Dodge Journey
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV built by the Dodge division of Chrysler.-First generation :Unveiled first at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and later appearing at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Journey identified internally as the JC49, has an almost identical wheelbase as the...
crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
priced below it, arrived in showrooms. Compared to its shared platform with the Jeep Liberty, the Nitro is longer, lower, and wider. The extra length is split between the rear seat and the cargo area.
The Nitro originally came equipped with an SUV class-leading 5,000-pound towing capacity. Safety features such as electronic roll mitigation, traction control and side curtain airbags, as well as a functional sliding cargo floor called Load 'N Go were also offered as standard equipment. Similar to a system offered on the Saab 9-5
Saab 9-5
The Saab 9-5 is an executive car produced by the Swedish automobile maker Saab. The first generation was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab...
station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
, the floor can be extended through the rear hatch by 18 in (457 mm) to ease loading. Another attribute of the SUV, is its aggressive hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
styling; complete with a bulged muscular appearance and unmistakable pronounced fenders.
Overview
For its initial debut in 2007, two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive drivetrains were offered, along with a choice of a 3.7-liter V6 or 4.0-liter V6 engines. The model designations were the SXT, SLT and R/T. There were three types of upholstery made available; basic cloth, stain-repellant cloth, and perforated leather. Standard safety features included; front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags, an electronic stability program with traction control and brake assist, electronic roll mitigation and a tire-pressure monitor. The four-cylinder version was sold exclusively in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
During 2008, the Nitro came in both a 4x2 and a 4x4 versions with each offering two trims: the SXT and the SLT. Both trims came with a standard 210-hp 3.7 liter V6 engine. The SXT trim included a standard six-speed manual transmission with an optional four-speed automatic. The SLT trim came with a standard four-speed automatic but the optional R/T package increased the level of equipment with a 260-hp 4.0 liter V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
mated to a five-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. The Nitro's SXT trim offered standard amenities such as power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning and seating for five. The SXT and R/T added alloy wheels, power driver's seat, stain repellent cloth, the Load 'N Go retractable cargo floor, cruise control and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. Standard safety features included; front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.
In 2009, the Nitro was offered in both a 4x2 and a 4x4 versions with two trims levels; the SE and the SLT. Both trim levels came with a standard 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The SXT with its six-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
had been replaced by the SE trim which featured the automatic transmission. The SLT trim offered the optional R/T package which was made available with a 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Nitro's SE trim offered standard amenities such as power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, air conditioning and seating for five. The SXT and R/T added alloy wheels, power driver's seat, stain repellent cloth, the Load 'N Go retractable cargo floor, cruise control and an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. Standard safety features included; front airbags, side curtain airbags, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.
For the 2010 model year, three new model designations became available; Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels. The 4x2 and a 4x4 versions, could be had as either Heat, Detonator, or Shock trim. The Heat trim was equipped with a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Detonator and Shock trims were fitted with a 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Heat trim level offered power mirrors, windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, and air conditioning. The Detonator added a rear-park assist, remote start system, power driver's seat, cruise control, an overhead console with a trip computer, compass and exterior temperature display. The premium Shock trim level added heated front seats, leather trim interior, and a power sunroof. Among standard safety features were: front airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, traction and stability control with roll-over mitigation, brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor. For all trim levels, the Load 'N Go sliding trunk floor feature was discontinued.
The 2011 model year brought back the previous year's three model designations; Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels. The 4x2 and 4x4 versions again became available in either Heat, Detonator, or in Shock trim. The 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, and the 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission were carried over as well. New for 2011, the Heat 4.0 lifestyle package joined the Detonator, Shock and Heat models. The Heat 4.0 came standard with a five-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, Uconnect Phone and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. Also, select models came with upgraded interiors with new cloth and leather with premium colored stitching. Detonator and Shock were branded with Dodge Brand’s signature racing stripes. Additionally, all models became available with nine exterior colors, including Bright White Clear Coat, Blackberry Pearl Coat, Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Redline Two Coat Pearl.
Australia
In Australia, versions could be had only as the 4.0 V6 in SXT trim with automatic transmission. No manual option was offered, but some diesels came in from Europe as gray imports.Discontinuation
Despite its flashy debut, the Nitro sales did not bode well for the company starting 2009, although for 2010 the situation had slightly ameliorated. The decision was therefore taken not to continue its production into 2012, with the assembly effectively ending on November 23, 2011. It was purportedly speculated by Marchionne that a successor going by the same name could be presented at the 2012 New York show, although that information later proved to be rumored from false facts and that the Nitro would not get a second generation for 2012. Chrysler will only build 2012 Dodge Nitros for the fleet market only, although Dodge's official websites for the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
& Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
list no 2012 retail Nitros.
Controversy
In early 2007, a TV advertisement in the U.S. for the Nitro with the tag line: "charged with adrenaline", showed a dog getting electrocuted after touching the SUV's front wheel. The ad gained a substantial amount of negative attention and was quickly pulled off the air.U.S. sales figures
| Calendar Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 74,825 |
| 2008 | 36,368 |
| 2009 | 17,443 |
| 2010 | 22,618 |