High-Strength Steels Deliver For Dodge

2007 Dodge Caliber

When Dodge engineers set out to develop a hip new compact car, they looked to advanced high-strength steels to save weight and improve crash performance. As a result, the 2007 Dodge Caliber is lightweight while meeting stringent impact requirements.

The Caliber is an affordable, boldly-styled five-door vehicle that combines the features of a sport utility vehicle with the profile and performance of a coupe. The first Calibers began rolling off the production line in January 2006.

Underneath its edgy exterior, the Caliber relies on high-strength steels and other advanced technologies to provide excellent ride and handling along with a safe, quiet body structure. Forty percent of the Caliber’s body structure is made of high-strength and hot-stamped steel – making it one of few current production models to utilize such a high level of advanced steel technologies.

2007 Dodge Caliber

"The higher weight-to-strength ratio of high-strength steel allowed us to develop a body-in-white safety cage that meets more aggressive front-, side-, and rear-impact requirements, but without the added weight of regular steel," said Matt Liddane, Chief Engineer – Dodge Caliber. "Hot stamped steel used on the A- and B-pillar and roof-rail reinforcements reduced Caliber’s weight overall by 44 pounds."

In a first for Chrysler Group vehicles, the Caliber uses a tailor-rolled, hot stamped steel B-pillar.

The two-piece pillar includes a lower section made from mild strength steel, which maximizes energy absorption.This is combined with a tailor-rolled ultra high-strength steel upper section designed to enhance occupant safety.

"We used high-strength, lightweight and sound-absorbent materials from across the globe in Dodge Caliber," added Liddane. "Combined, these materials give Caliber excellent impact performance and body stiffness, as well as a smooth, quiet ride."

Caliber’s use of advanced steels extends to the front and rear rail, tunnel reinforcements and floor cross members. The steel components combine with the body structure to absorb and control impact energy in the case of high-speed frontal impact. The rails can handle greater impact loads, thanks to the dual-phase steel tunnel reinforcements and floor cross members.

Caliber also features a hydroformed front closure and upper cross member – the first high-production volume compact car to do so. Previously, this technology was exclusive of trucks and sport-utility vehicles, but advances in hydroforming technologies allow for smaller diameter tubes and thinner walls, making it possible to apply this technology to compact vehicles.