Test Drive Dodge Nitro since 2006 SUV
Dodge Nitro'vert
Dodge is not a full-fledged SUV, but rather a parcoatnik with elevated, due to the spiner frame, the margin of strength. Positioning the newest Dodge Nitro, marketers have come down from the legs, looking for a market cell for their new creation. The Jeep brand is included in the Chrysler group and this offers the widest choice of all-wheel drives: from parquet compass to a full-sized 7-seater comander. In Russia, Dodge is known very little until recently, the ram was presented with only the hatchback-crossover Caliber da Supercar Viper. In the US market there is a huge SUV Dodge Durango, but for Russia he is great, the pseudo-European BMW X5 and Mercedes ML use in great demand.
Nitro refers to the category of medium-sized SUVs, like BMW X3 or Hyundai Santafe. However, the machine is based on the same spiner frame, like Jeep Cherokee, which has already become an anachronism and has long been used by anyone from competitors. By the way, Nitro is going at one plant with Cherokee in Toledo (PC. Ohio), and they have the same motors. Fortunately, the differences between the machines are not only in design. Before us is really a new car. Stuffing is different in accordance with positioning. If Jeep is always a jeep with a capital letter, and his task is ultimitive to conquer off-road by anything, the Dodge is a parcate rather, without unnecessary off-road hospitals, but with elevated, due to the sparron frame, the safety margin. Nitro is equipped with the simplest all-wheel drive transmission with a constant full-wheel drive and the possibility of rigid connection of the front axle. And the connection is not a traditional lever, but a small lamb near the selector such a scheme is more reliable, as it protects the machine from the driver's errors. But it is contraindicated to use such a four-wheel drive on asphalt roads, since Nitro has no central differential, and it means most of the time the SUV will be rear-wheel drive.
But the biggest difference between Cherokee and Nitro is hidden not under the hood. Here it is, in reality. If the round headlights of a red-skinned can cause a cute smile exclusively, then smile, standing face to face with Nitro, not worth it. A formidable ram on the emblem of Togo and looked will take a smile for a mockery and rush like on the new gate. A large-scale chrome radiator lattice blinds any unkind look, and a powerful lower lip-bumper is ready to pose everyone. By the way, when Nitro in a good arrangement of the Spirit, the front bumper can be used or as a bench, or instead of the footboard to get on the hood. Powerful wheel arches welcome 20-inch, obviously not low-profile wheels and seem to be capable of greater. Although as a regular 
nitro equipment has only 16-inch discs. But it is impossible to see the ram on small legs that such a car is not even in the pictures in the press photo bank. Of course, dealers also do not drive cars in simple equipment. What are they needed for? Those who want a real SUV with full-revocated wheels will choose Cherokee, and Nitro is for the style, - shared his considerations Sales manager of one of the car dealerships. True, try to imagine dodge without chromium and large disks it will be a banal cube on wheels. And so a truly stylish car, from the nose to the tail, including even door handles with massive buttons, which, by the way, are borrowed from the legendary Jeep Wrangler.
In the salon, the relationship with Cherokee is much stronger than the characteristic layout with almost vertical windshield and a narrow front panel. Once in Nitro after a passenger car, you go as if in the helmet, the windshield is almost just as close. Although no discomfort does not deliver such proximity and landing in Nitro is very convenient. Hard plastic in American cars has already become a parable in languages, so I will default about him, because in an SUV it annoys much less than in a passenger car. But the interior was pleased with the abundance of compartments for trifles. They are on the front panel, in the central tunnel, and in addition to the spacious armrest and pockets in the door. Here there is a place not only to a mobile phone with cigarettes, but also a map, a GPS-navigator and another mass of other minerals that are constantly needed on the road to such an adventure seeker as Dodge Nitro. Regardless of the level of equipment, all radio tape recorders in Nitro 
support the ability to connect an external MP3 player, and for it there is also separate pockets. We got an SUV with a gasoline engine of 3.7 liters, although a more appropriate for Nitro is a 2.8 CRD diesel unit. It is almost not inferior in power and dynamics, and thanks to a more modern 5-speed automaton, it is more convenient in the management and, of course, is significantly more economical. In addition, contrary to stereotypes, the diesel version also for 200 euros cheaper than gasoline affects the almost liter difference in the working volume, which largely defines customs duties. By the way, regardless of the motor, Nitro comes exclusively with automatic boxes.
On the road Nitro did not pretend any surprises of both positive and negative. Thanks to the 20-inch wheels, the SUV accurately reacts to the driving movement, although such a car, of course, does not provoke such a car on a particularly dynamic ride. The large-volume trap motor provides a decent dynamics on a par with cars, but at the same time the consumption of 15-20 liters per hundred is the norm for him in the city and on the highway. It was pleasantly surprised only the noise level at Nitro is quite worthy of noise insulation, which allows you to travel for a long time by car without much fatigue. At least this rule is fair for those who sit in front. The rear seat is more like a bench, covered with skin, with a small stupor of foam rubber. It is located low enough and is not very suitable for comfortable long-range values, and also the third passenger will be disturbed by a central tunnel in the cabin. 
But what is the nitro trunk! In the SXT bundle, it is equipped with a sliding floor of Load & Go, which is convenient to use when loading things, as well as a bench. At the same time, the trunk itself, if you count to the line of windows, not very roomy, but if you fold the rear bed, the volume will increase to two cubic meters of perfectly planned space with vertical walls. The off-road Nitro was well done. For greater comfort, probably it would be better for softer high-profile wheels, but the rest of the Dodge is a worthy heir to the Cherokee tribe. The suspension allows without fears for the machine and its own internal organs to storm stones and the roots of trees and even make jumps. Class difference is noticeable only on steep climbs or on the soil. To feel like a real passing man, Nitro lacks downward transmission that would increase the torque supplied by the wheels, although it is necessary to admit that even in such a performance, the SUV did not stop anywhere and did not even try to lower. And in the case of diagonal hanging, an electronic oppocitation system came to the rescue.
It seems that Dodge found a really interesting empty niche for Nitro, albeit not very voluminous. The SUV will like those who often use the allower in direct appointment, but it does not drive into the dirt along the ears. In addition, a powerful spiner frame is perfect for towing heavy trailers, for example, with boats. And of course, an important question in choosing Nitro is an appearance. The charismatic design of Dodge few people will leave indifferent, and many residents of the metropolis will surely choose the car exclusively for appearance, especially with chrome-plated 20-inch wheels.
By the way, there is also a charged 260-strong version of Nitro R / T on the US market. Sorry she is still not available in Russia
Text: Leonid Pavlov. Photo by author.
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Stylish design
Good permeability
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Not the most comfortable salon
Modest motors selection
Price of the tested car - 38,800 euros
Complete set of tested car
Frontal airbags
Abs
Anti-test system
Dynamic stabilization system
All-wheel drive transmission
Steering amplifier
Automatic transmission
Multifunctional steering wheel
Adjustable steering column in height
Adjustable steering column
Skin Steering Decoration
Finishing salon skin
Electric heating front seats
Rear view mirror with autocession
Bluetooth kit for phone
Remote central castle
Air conditioning
Electric and heating outdoor mirrors
Electric windows front
Power windows rear
Folding in parts rear seat
CD audio system
CD changer
Trip computer
Parktronic
Fog lights
Alloy wheels
Coloring metallic
Tire pressure sensor
Cruise control
Specifications
Body
Body type 5-door wagon
Number of seats 5.
Trunk volume, l 389/1994
Curb weight, kg 1 875
Full weight, kg 2 540
Length, mm 4 584
Width, mm 1 856
Height, mm 1 755
Wheel base, mm 2 763
Road clearance, mm 205
Engine
Type gasoline, with distributed fuel injection
Front location, longitudinally
Location and number of cylinders V6
Working volume, cm 3,701
Cylinder diameter / piston stroke, mm 93 x 90.8
Compression ratio 9.1.
Number of valves on cylinder 2
Maximum power, hp / rpm 205/5 200
Maximum torque, nm / rpm 314/4 000
Transmission
Gearbox 4-speed, automatic
The drive is full, with a rigidly connected front
Front suspension independent, double-click
Rear suspension dependent
Front brakes disc ventilated
Rear brakes disk
Tires 245 / 50r20
Dynamics
Maximum speed, km / h 190
Acceleration time 0-100 km / h, from 10.3
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km
urban cycle 17.5
country cycle 9.
mixed cycle 12,1
Fuel tank capacity, l 73.8
Fuel gasoline AI-92
A source: Carclub.ru.
