2007 North American International Auto Show
HOME NEWS PHOTOS DISCUSSION

January 9, 2007

2008 Dodge Avenger

First Dodge mid-size sedan in Canada since 1999

Click image to enlarge. Click here for more photos.

Detroit, Michigan - Positioned between the compact Dodge Caliber and the full-size Dodge Charger, the new Avenger is the first Dodge mid-size sedan since the Stratus was discontinued here in 2000. Based on the recently-redesigned front-wheel drive Chrysler Sebring, the Avenger will be available in Canadian dealerships in the first quarter of 2007.

"The all-new Dodge Avenger brings Dodge-brand American muscle car heritage into the global mid-size car segment," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President-Design. "Avenger does for the global D-segment what Caliber has done in the global C-segment-it offers a unique alternative to the competition."

Starting at $21,995, the Avenger will be available in four trim levels: SE, SXT, R/T, and a sporty R/T AWD version available later in 2007. The latter will offer a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch all-season performance tires, performance steering and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Traction Control and Advanced ABS.

The Avenger's cabin is extremely spacious with 2,900 litres (102.3 cubic feet) of room. Volume in the trunk is a competitive 368 litres (13 cubic feet). The cabin's rich-looking interior surfaces includes standard YES Essentials fabric, an easy-care, soil-repellent and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odours and discoloration; heated cloth seats, an instrument panel top pad with Franklin grain with a low-gloss finish, and the centre stack features a Stipple grain with low-gloss finish to match the top cover, defroster grille, driver cubby and Dodge logo on passenger side surrounds. Taking a cue from the Dodge Ram, the Avenger's centre stack features a V-like ram's horn shape that surrounds the gated shifter bezel and serves as a design focal point.

The Avenger is offered with a standard AM/FM/CD radio or optional MyGIG Multimedia Navigation/Audio/Entertainment/Communications system with a 20 gigabyte hard drive that allows for saving and organizing music and pictures, and a DVD rear-seat entertainment system that includes AM/FM stereo radio with MP3 playback capable CD/DVD player, six-disc CD/DVD changer and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Front cupholders can be heated or cooled and unique to the Avenger in the mid-size segment is an optional cooled beverage storage bin. Housed in the passenger side upper instrument panel, the bin can hold as many as four 12-ounce beverage cans.

Three powertrains will be available in the Avenger: a 173-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder "World Engine" mated to a four-speed automatic, a 189-hp 2.7-litre flex-fuel E85 V6 with a four-speed automatic, and a 235-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle with AutoStick.

For safety, the Avenger includes standard multi-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags, and front-seat-mounted side air bags. Anti-lock brakes and Electronic Stability Control with All-speed Traction Control and Brake Assist are optional. The 2008 Dodge Avenger began production at the refurbished Sterling Heights Michigan Assembly Plant, alongside the Chrysler Sebring and Chrysler Sebring Convertible in the fourth quarter of 2006. It will go on sale in the first quarter of 2007.

Click here for more photos.

More News from Detroit....