New Car Preview Dodge Caliber SRT4 Will Have 280 HP

Dodge forums are bristling with the news of official specs on the upcoming Caliber SRT4. The information in question was acquired by a light-fingered customer who managed to sneak a dealer order guide over to a copy machine while waiting for service on his current Dodge. According to the published photos, the 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder in the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 will deliver 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet. Impressive numbers, but not quite the 300 horses Dodge had originally touted. The spec sheet also lists a 0-60-mph time of 6.2 seconds, slightly slower than the sub-6-second time claimed last year.

The performance variant of Dodge's popular compact hatchback was first revealed at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. At that time Dodge said to expect the SRT4 in the spring of 2007, but the on-sale date now looks to be on track for this fall. Other notable specifications include a top speed of 157 mph, a lowered MacPherson-strut suspension, multilink independent rear suspension and 19-inch wheels.