Autophonetics / Dodge test drives

Nitro R/T is an American, so it's no surprise that its name sounds like the growl emitted by the engine and exhaust system during acceleration. It roars like a wounded tiger, and there's something wild, primal about it. The moment when this massive hunk launches from a standstill, first squatting on its rear, evokes particular delight among onlookers. The metallic voice of the engine, the unceremonious roar of the exhaust, and the sight of the Nitro charging forward seem to shout to the whole neighborhood: "Get outta my way!" Along with the R/T letters on the tailgate, the Nitro received a new 4-liter engine and an additional 55 hp compared to the standard version. This unit is the result of the evolution of the 3.5-liter V6 that is installed on other Chrysler models. With the more powerful engine, the Nitro became noticeably more agile than its sibling, which we wrote about earlier (MOTOR, September 2007). Specifically, the sprint to 100 km/h was reduced by 1.8 seconds and now stands at 8.5 seconds. About the SXT modification, we said then: "The claimed 10.3 seconds to 100 km/h seem doubtful."

Now there is no doubt — the R/T accelerates excellently. Of course, the automatic transmission, which became five-speed, also played its role. It cannot be said that this gearbox is a huge step forward compared to the previous four-speed one. The response to kick-down is still not quick, and the manual mode here is more for show: shifts under full throttle occur with an even greater delay than in automatic mode. But in any case, five gears are better than four, and besides, this "automatic" works noticeably smoother. But the suspension, on the contrary, has become stiffer and more composed. It's too early to say that the Nitro is now capable of delivering driving pleasure on asphalt, but paired with the 20-inch wheels provided for the R/T, this Dodge has become more obedient. It's a pity that the changes did not affect the steering. The information at the wheel still tends to zero, and the effort on it is weakly related to the steering angle and acceleration. The situation is aggravated by the impressive rear axle.

At high speeds, the Nitro deviates from the trajectory, which is already difficult to set with the insensitive steering wheel. And if the road is uneven, you should be prepared for "bucking." The claimed 202 km/h maximum speed commands respect for the factory testers. After 120 km/h, the "tiger" growling under the hood no longer has enough strength to fight the air masses crashing against the bulldozer blade of the front bumper and the sheer wall of the huge radiator grille (in the R/T version it is painted in body color), and acceleration dynamics noticeably deteriorate. Already at 160 km/h, the R/T requires constant concentration from the driver: the dynamic corridor becomes as wide as possible, the Nitro darts in the ruts. Although, once you get used to it, you can drive quite fast, the main thing is to plan maneuvers in advance, constantly correct the steering, and remember that the brakes here are like on the regular version.

But there are changes in the interior. And the most important of them is the new front seats with lateral support, heating, and the R/T logo embroidered on the backrest. Even despite their relative American softness, compared to the flat seats of the regular Nitro, they are magnificent. Oh, if only they had also made a footrest for the left leg, then we could talk about seating ergonomics. But as it is, the free lower limb constantly dangles: it's uncomfortable to put it on the floor, and you can't reach the inner part of the front wheel arch. The instrument panel and all controls remain unchanged, but the center console is different. Full climate control appeared, and — most interestingly — a touchscreen display of the Chrysler MyGIG multimedia system with a hard drive, Bluetooth, USB, a six-disc CD/DVD changer, the ability to connect external audio players, and navigation.

There is also a second screen for rear passengers. Sound in the R/T is reproduced from eight speakers and a subwoofer. However, it is not easy for them to drown out the constant "rrrrr" and external noises. When giving this modification the name R/T, Dodge probably thought not only about phonetic correspondence. Has the Nitro become better? At least, it hasn't become worse and has retained its charisma. And a more powerful engine and a new "automatic" have never hurt anyone. As have various conveniences in the cabin. And the overpayment for all these delights of about 150,000 rubles (compared to the SXT version) does not seem large, especially against the backdrop of a quite moderate final price for a stylish large SUV.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Load 'n Go sliding platform can support up to 181 kg and really makes using the trunk easier, especially given the considerable loading height. And it's also convenient to sit on it with a friend and sip beer. In the cabin of the R/T version, much more comfortable seats with heating and the touch-screen of the MyGIG multimedia system appeared.