Dodge Nitro Launches in Australia

Chrysler Australia has launched the Nitro midsize SUV here, the company's second Dodge product Down Under. Priced at the equivalent of U.S. $31,375, it's $2,120 (U.S.) cheaper than the base-model Ford Territory and a big $4,200 less than the entry-level Toyota Kluger.

The Nitro's styling has hard edges, bulging wheel arches and a huge grille with the signature Dodge chrome crosshairs. It is the first Chrysler Group product to use a new platform that will be shared by the next-generation Jeep Cherokee, which is scheduled for Australia early next year.

The five-seat Nitro is powered by a revised version of the Dodge Cherokee's 3.7-liter gasoline V6 that makes 202 horsepower, with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel available as an option. It is teamed with a four-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder direct-injection diesel generates 174 hp.

Australia-model Nitros are available only with all-wheel drive and have the firmer performance suspension setting that is only available on the sporty R/T Nitro models in the U.S.

The base-model SX is priced at the equivalent of U.S. $21,370 for the gasoline model. The SXT costs U.S. $33,900 for the gasoline version. For either Nitro, the diesel version costs an additional U.S. $2,950.