Press Kit: 2007 Dodge Nitro Launch

The all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro offers customers a full range of technology to meet their entertainment and communication desires. All models include audio systems featuring hassle-free MP3 playback and quality sound. Available integrated hands-free communication, easy-to-use navigation and a Video Entertainment System (VES®) will keep everyone happy on both short and long drives.

“The entertainment and communication system available in the 2007 Dodge Nitro is designed to meet the needs and requirements of a tech-savvy generation,” said Tom Loveless, Director – Dodge Marketing and Global Communications, Chrysler Group. “For example, MyGIG™, our newest entertainment, navigation and communication system, lets customers rip their music to the hard drive and download photos using a 2.0 USB port right on the radio face.”

Audio and Navigation Systems
The Dodge Nitro is available in the United States with a variety of audio systems, and it will be the first Dodge-brand vehicle to offer the innovative MyGIG™ Multimedia Infotainment System* that has a built-in navigation, audio, entertainment and communication system. MyGIG allows customers to use touch screen or voice commands to control all of the features, and includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive where music and photos can be stored. An integrated music jukebox supports Gracenote music-file management to add song, artist and album information to the music files automatically. There’s space reserved on the hard drive for approximately 1,600 songs; that’s over 100 hours of music. There also is a voice-memo recorder feature. MyGIG supports real-time traffic information, available through SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and can provide an alternate drive route based on current traffic.

The voice dialogue system recognizes more than 100,000 words and is capable of learning and growing. The navigation has both 2-D and 3-D bird’s-eye views of roads and multiple route calculation. Maps and guidance are displayed on a motorized, flip-down 6.5-inch thin-film-transistor (TFT) display. The TFT screen uses active matrix for viewing from angles up to 180 degrees — perfect for the center of an instrument panel.

Chrysler Group is the only company in the U.S. market offering completely integrated audio, navigation, entertainment and hands-free communication in one system, controlled through voice commands and utilizing touch screen, with the capability of downloading photos and music to a hard drive from CD, DVD or USB memory device.

All three radio head units available in the Nitro feature a 3.5mm audio input jack for easy connection to an MP3 player. The base audio system offers 276 watts of power and includes six speakers, AM/FM stereo and CD playback. The Infinity Premium Sound system offers a total of nine speakers, which include two, 6.5-inch subwoofers in the rear doors. The head unit in this system features an integrated six-disc CD/DVD changer and can also play back CDs with MP3 and WMA files. Loading the changer with discs full of MP3-formatted music will provide thousands of miles worth of music. It also includes an eight-channel amplifier producing 368 watts of power.

Video Entertainment System (VES)
The VES enables the rear passengers to enjoy movies, music and external audio/video devices such as video games and MP3 players. The system consists of an overhead-mounted DVD player with a 7-inch LCD screen, a battery-powered remote control and two wireless, multichannel headsets. The system will play DVDs, WMAs, MP3s and audio and video CDs. Additionally, there are auxiliary input jacks on the faceplate to show video directly from a video camera, to play games from a video-game console and to listen to music directly from a portable MP3 player. The video screen displays information in a split screen format. The left side of the screen is referred to as channel 1; the right side is referred to as channel 2. All modes except video modes are displayed in split screen format. When a video mode is selected it is displayed on the full screen. The remote control is designed to control either channel by the use of a selector switch on the control. The headphones are designed to allow the user to listen to either channel by use of the selection switch located on the right ear cup. Using the included dual channel wireless headphones, the VES allows rear passengers to listen to two different sources simultaneously. The audio from the VES can be heard through the vehicle’s speaker system, through the wireless headphones or both.

SIRIUS Satellite Radio
SIRIUS provides U.S. customers with 125 channels including 100 percent commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. SIRIUS also broadcasts live play-by-play games from the NFL, NBA and NHL, and is the official satellite-radio partner of the NFL.

Customers also may stream SIRIUS programming through a high-speed Internet connection at no additional charge.

SIRIUS utilizes its nationwide satellite-radio broadcast capabilities to provide subscribers with updated traffic information displayed on their navigation screen to help select the best available route.

UConnect Hands-free Communication System
UConnect uses Bluetooth® technology to provide wireless communication between the customer’s compatible mobile phone and the vehicle’s on-board receiver. The UConnect control buttons are now integrated into the vehicle’s radio head unit.

UConnect features include:

• Voice dialing — Voice commands may be used to digit-dial the phone or access pre-stored voice tags
• Audio address book — Enables customers to store up to 32 names, four numbers per name, for a total of 128 phone numbers
• Emergency calls and towing assistance — Dials 911 or towing assistance at customer voice command
• Audio-system mute — With a press of the button, the microphone is muted for privacy
• Call transfer — Allows the customer to transfer a call from the vehicle’s system to the mobile phone
• Three language options — English, French and Spanish
• Multiphone recognition — Up to seven phones can be used within one vehicle’s system

Electronic Vehicle Information Control
An interactive digital display located in the instrument panel conveniently displays information and can be controlled by switches mounted on the steering column. The system allows the driver to select from a menu of useful information. Settings can be personalized for various functions, such as having the lights flash and horn honk when locking and unlocking the vehicle using Remote Keyless Entry. There also is the ability to scroll through the compass/outside temperature, average fuel economy, distance to empty, trip elapsed time and tire-pressure displays.

* Late availability