The Caliber is a very different design to the Neon it replaces; it is a tall estate meets hatchback meets SUV with the footprint of a long European C-sector car.
The exterior design identity fits with a European stereotype of American identity; conspicuously tough, masculine and slightly aggressive. This is evident in the severe flat and sharp edged surfaces along the flanks, overt SUV style wheel-arches and imposing down-road-graphic. The less boxy DLO along with the black ridges running along the sides of the roof gives this some relief and a slightly dynamic feel.
Although a show car preview of a production car, only the colours are likely to change for production which means that in 2006 when it goes on sale in Europe, buyers will have an interesting new alternative to conventional C-sector hatchbacks and estates – one heavily flavoured with American Pie.
