Where did the Dodge Nitro come from?

[gasoline]

Is it on sale?
This vehicle just appeared out of the blue. I never knew it was ever being considered for production.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'm sure 93 will give you the low down.

All i know is that i remember a Nitro concept about a year ago, it had 4 wheel steering(i think) and a hemi.

Other than that its just another shitty jeep. 

[ifcar]

Is it on sale?
This vehicle just appeared out of the blue. I never knew it was ever being considered for production.

It was always a near-production concept. It's based on the next Liberty.

[gasoline]

Interesting...
Thanks. I remembered the concept but just as quickly forgot about it.
To me it looked so ludicrous and not-needed that I thought it was simply a styling exercise (no to be rude or anything).

[SVT666]

I saw one for the first time last week and it looks pretty good in person.  Too bad it can't go offroad.

[ifcar]

I saw one for the first time last week and it looks pretty good in person.  Too bad it can't go offroad.

It can't?

[Submariner]

It can't?

Well, I'm sure it can...but not like a real jeep.

[ifcar]

Well, considering that there is no vehicle sold besides the Wrangler that Jeep purists consider "like a real Jeep", how is that a surprise?

[MX793]

The Liberty was "trail rated", so it's not completely useless off road.  Not going to be a serious rock crawler like a Wrangler, but it'll fare better than a Rav4.

[Raghavan]

It can't?

It's more of a street truck with those big blingy wheels that would be useless offroad.

[ifcar]

Right, large wheels are useless off road.

It's sold as a street truck, but the platform that was lying around when they designed it was designed to get around off-road as well as any other current compact SUV save the Wrangler.

[SVT666]

Right, large wheels are useless off road.

It's sold as a street truck, but the platform that was lying around when they designed it was designed to get around off-road as well as any other current compact SUV save the Wrangler.

At best, it's a soft-roader.  Dirt roads and nothing more...and large wheels suck ass off road.

[ifcar]

A Camry can handle a dirt road.

And big wheels certainly don't seem to be a major hindrance off road, or a Google of "jeep off road" wouldn't show dozens of images like this:

[93JC]

Yes, but you see, that Jeep has big wheels to accommodate big tires.

The Nitro has 245/50R20s....

[ifcar]

The difference is obvious, but the distinction was not made.

[Raghavan]

The difference is obvious, but the distinction was not made.

When i say wheels, i mean the metal circular thingies that bolt on to the  hubs.

[ifcar]

As do I.

[mazda6er]

Where did the Dodge Nitro come from? Well gasoline, when a husband and a wife love each other very much...


...and then the stork delivers it.

[nickdrinkwater]

I saw one at the British Motor Show back in the summer.  It has presence, in a hideous way.

[TheIntrepid]

All i know is that i remember a Nitro concept about a year ago, it had 4 wheel steering(i think) and a hemi.

Um I may be wrong, but I think the one you're thinking of was the Jeep Gladiator Concept or some shit like that. It had dual 5.7L Hemis and 4-wheel steering. Basically looked like a Wrangler on steroids.

The Nitro concept was always damn close to the production model...IMHO looks like crap.

[SVT666]

A Camry can handle a dirt road.

And big wheels certainly don't seem to be a major hindrance off road, or a Google of "jeep off road" wouldn't show dozens of images like this:

Most large (33" and up) "serious" off-road tires come in 15" to 17".  The ones in that picture are probably 17" (maybe 18") and the tires look to be 35" or 37".  short sidewalls and tall wheels are definitely NOT ideal for off-roading.

[Catman]

Not sure but it should go back from wherever that is. :P

[280Z Turbo]

I saw a base model one on campus the other day.

I barely noticed it. It was incredibly bland looking and had that cheap bastard gray plastic trim everywhere.

[Raza]

I watched part of the Speed Test Drive on it today.  Apparently it's awesome.

[280Z Turbo]

I watched part of the Speed Test Drive on it today. Apparently it's awesome.

I wonder how much they payed them for that lovely commercial.

[Raghavan]

As do I.

So why'd you misunderstand me?

[ifcar]

I didn't.

[Raza]

I wonder how much they payed them for that lovely commercial.

Those things are always so positive they're sickening.  It's like eating too much chocolate that's too sweet.  They're just absolutely convinced that the 300C is practically a sports car.

[ChrisV]

At best, it's a soft-roader.  Dirt roads and nothing more...and large wheels suck ass off road.

Sorry, but not totally true.

[ChrisV]

Of course, these were range Rovers, not Nitoros, so theri offroad ability is a bit more... able... even with big diameter wheels and short tires. 









Try getting a Camry through this...