SPIED! New Dodge CUV!

[matt41]

Looks pretty nice from the spy shots, but it seems though that it is similar in form to a Caliber (the height and length.) Codenamed 'JC49'. 08 intro with 09 model year plans. Based on floor plan of Sebring/Avenger.

THIS IS from WINDING ROAD:

http://news.windingroad.com/trends/spied-n...over/#more-3604

Dodge engineers have begun testing prototypes for a new crossover

vehicle to do battle with the Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, and the

rest of the burgeoning crossover crowd. This all-new model–known

internally as the JC49–is based on the just-released Chrysler

Sebring and soon-to-be Dodge Avenger sedans, although this spin-off

is clearly larger than its platform-mates.

Despite the camouflage, typical Dodge styling cues show through. The

cross-hair grille design takes after the Avenger, the headlights

appear to have some of the Nitro’s detailing, while the chiseled

shoulder line, flared wheel arches and chunky lower body sculpting

appear somewhat Caliber-inspired. The tail-lights have Dodge’s

typical red lenses with white bands, as on the Charger and Avenger.

The prototype also displays a fetching profile, thanks to a nicely

raked windshield and a rising beltline which gives this new Dodge a

fairly athletic stance.

DaimlerChrysler reps have described this model as a “new concept

crossover”, somehow designed to separate it from its competitors, but

from what we can see here it’s pretty much what you would expect from

the mainstream crossover offering. Where this model might cause a

stir is in price–if initial reports of a starting price around

$20,000 hold true. This looks like a lot of car for twenty-grand.

To go for that price, we expect that it will be offered in both four-

and six-cylinder forms. This seems to fit the evidence we have seen

on the testing circuit, since, in addition to the dual exhausts

visible on the prototype in our photos, we spotted another prototype

sporting a single exhaust.

Dodge’s new midsize CUV will be built in its updated Toluca, Mexico

assembly plant, alongside the PT Cruiser. Dodge planners hope for

150,000 annual sales of this model. A production run in the east

China province of Fujian is reportedly also planned, for export to

other markets outside of North America.

The JC49 is expected to reach the market in early 2008. A Chrysler

spin-off is possible for 2010, likely serving as the replacement for

the Pacifica.

Edited December 18, 2006 by MarioBro88

[red]

Looks very similar to the new Mitsubishi Outlander. Coincidence?

[matt41]

Looks very similar to the new Mitsubishi Outlander.  Coincidence?

229425[/snapback]

It would make some sense.

Edited December 18, 2006 by MarioBro88

[thegriffon]

I don't see it.

Looks much like an Avenger-based Magnum, not a real crossover but a slightly taller wagon like the Outback, Allroad or XC70. At a strecth it will compete with the current Highlander, Equinox etc., but not the fullsize Lambdas.

[Cory Wolfe]

Hmm... looks good under camo.

[enzl]

Looks very similar to the new Mitsubishi Outlander.  Coincidence?

229425[/snapback]

Semi-related, as this platform was initially going to be shared by Mitsu & DCX...I believe development separated around the time DCX left Mitsu for dead a couple of years back.

[ehaase]

I don't see it.

Looks much like an Avenger-based Magnum, not a real crossover but a slightly taller wagon like the Outback, Allroad or XC70. At a strecth it will compete with the current Highlander, Equinox etc., but not the fullsize Lambdas.

229496[/snapback]

Which would make sense if the rumors that the current Magnum will be discontinued are true.

[Northstar]

It looks more like a wagon to me than the Lambdas. It looks like it might be pretty nice.

[matt41]

Mitsubishi Outlander+Dodge Caliber+Jeep Compass

[Bimmer325]

I'm SHOCKED. Is that a sleek-looking Dodge?

Depending on what they did with the front/rear clips, this could be the first good-looking car out of DCX in ages. It certainly looks good under camo.

[Paolino]

Hmm... looks good under camo.

229500[/snapback]

A lot of Dodge products look good covered up. :AH-HA_wink:

[RJB]

It seems to me Chrysler in general is putting out way too many products in every category. No wonder they have a ton of cars/trucks on the lots as it is and they want to push out more. It doesn't make sense to me and no wonder the quality of their cars are going down, they are spreading themselves too thin.

[NOS2006]

$5 says it'll be ugly as hell.

[MyerShift]

Is it not shaped like a partly chunked-to-bits-brick???

I'll sing the praises of Chrysler if they make it look good outside, and in. I don't care about the materials so much as it looking great.

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

Saw it yesterday-so far it lacks the boldness of all the new Dodge products-especially Nitro and Durango, which I expected JAC49 to resemble-or at the very least, a bigger Caliber. It doesn't even look as tough as the spectacular 2003 Kahuna concept car (it looks better in person, IMO).

[MyerShift]

Bold is good, but beauty is better. Though more than likely, this will possess neither based on Chrysler's most recent introductions. But, I hold out hope.

[PONTIAC06]

Looks good from what I can see...If it does look quite a bit like the Outlander, it would be a HUGE improvement over the crap they've been putting out

[regfootball]

BLEH!

[sciguy_0504]

You can definately see the Outlander in this. I know it still has tons of camo but it looks like DCX just added a Dodge grille and called it a day.

[BlkHhr104]

Pacifica... with new sheet metal....???? (I know it's a Dodge, Im just saying maybe at heart thats what it is)

Edited December 20, 2006 by BlkHhr104

[Drew Dowdell]

Wouldn't this more compete with the Thetas? It looks more their size than Lambda sized.

[91z4me]

Wouldn't this more compete with the Thetas? It looks more their size than Lambda sized.

230394[/snapback]

That's what I was thinking, it doesn't look much larger than the Liberty in the background.

[Intrepidation]

Yeah, it seems more Theta sized than Lambada sized...though Dodge or Chrysler or both could use a large CUV to compete in the growing segment.

[Casket Demon]

Should we trust this?, This just maybe another lame trick of theirs. This time they've taped up a Pacifica and claim it to be a new DCX CUV.

[MyerShift]

Lol. That would end up quite amusing, but it looks smaller than a Pacifica to me.

[BlkHhr104]

Well wait, I never heard anything on a Dodge CUV, also Dodge doesnt exactly use "sleek" styling, and I don't really see a Dodge grill, maybe its not a Dodge, and that Liberty is from a dealer, I don't think it's a DCX engineer or something along those lines.

[Intrepidation]

Well wait, I never heard anything on a Dodge CUV, also Dodge doesnt exactly use "sleek" styling, and I don't really see a Dodge grill, maybe its not a Dodge, and that Liberty is from a dealer, I don't think it's a DCX engineer or something along those lines.

231146[/snapback]

I can see the crosshair grill under the camo...it's a Dodge.