Dodge Avenger Concept Unveiled

One week prior to the Paris Motor Show, Dodge gives us the first look at the Avenger concept. The vehicle is a concept in name only; expect the production version of the Avenger to look identical to this concept. It will probably debut at an upcoming American auto show in the next six months. In the U.S., the Avenger will most likely share the same engines, transmissions and pricing as the redesigned Chrysler Sebring that will roll off the assembly line any day now. 

Those Sebring engines include:

• 173-hp four-cylinder shared with the Dodge Caliber, mated to a four-speed automatic and getting 24/32 mpg city/highway
• 189-hp flexible-fuel V-6 that can run on E85 or gasoline, teamed with a four-speed automatic. Mileage is estimated at 22/30 city/highway
• 235-hp V-6 with Chrysler’s new six-speed transmission, registering mileage of 19/28 mpg city/highway

The big difference between the two cars is of course the design. In that department the Avenger wins the sibling rivalry battle by a mile. Unlike the Sebring, Dodge used the best design elements of its current lineup for the Avenger. The rear flank is taken straight from the macho Charger sedan, while the front end builds off the Caliber but looks elegant for a Dodge. Expect prices in the range of $18,000 - $25,000 when it finally does end up in production sometime in the second half of 2007. Unfortunately there isn't much news about the concept until it bows in to the public in Paris next week. For now click below for more images.

Comments

CRD? Is that just for the European market?

Looks kindof ugly to me... I think it's the long front overhang that is bugging me.

Tom,
Yes. I added an explanation above. It's basically the diesel engine that Daimler Chrysler uses in Europe that is slowly making its way to the US for SUVs but still unlikely to happen here for sedans like this one.

Looks like a scale down Charger...Not a big fans of it.

Wow, Charger rear end, Magnum front end.

"Avenger, Son of LX"

i think Baby Charger is the unofficial nickname right now.

this is it? another charger? hopefully the interior is put together better than the big charger...dodge gives the american automakers a bad reputation for that..id hate to say it but i think its predestined to be a rental car queen!

Wow....so much better than the Sebring. Odd how the 300 looks so good and the Sebring can look so not good.

I like it, I want a Charger but don't want the gas mileage that comes with it. This car will be a great midsize car. If they make an SRT6 version of it, I would definitely buy it. I agree that the overhang in the front is a little long. I think it would look much better with the wheels pushed forward. But then again dodge is going for that 70's era muscle car look, just like the Charger. Fine with me.

Gee, a rear-wing...how original. I predict woeful sales ahead for this car and many others from Chrysler. Do any of the American car companies have one designer who is capable of coming up with an original design?

Um,

that is a stupid question, look at all the chryslers that have come out in the last few years, all of them you could call an original design...

This car is beautiful all the knockers show me your ideas photos, come on.

Way to kill Charger sales the same way Sebring killed LH sales. Make something different! Don't copy! If this car took longer than 5 minutes to design, the engineers should be fired.

The Inferno red body paint is not as striking as what the designers probably would have expected it to be. Well at least the turbo diesel engine was a plus.

Come on guys. The new Camry is a baby Avalon. The Altima is a baby Maxima. Why can't the Avenger be a baby Charger. Nobody knocks Japan for playing copycat, why be so hard on the home team. Needless to say, I like it. It's a man's Camry.

I kind of like it. It is dodge's version of the Ford Focus. Although Charger sales will drop because of it and it looks similar. I like the Charger even more than the avenger though.

CRD is not meaning Common Rail Diesel, but Chrysler Refined Diesel.
It is a VW engine, and as we know they dont make common rail yet.