The first fruits of Nissan and Chrysler's manufacturing partnership have been bared and launched today at the Sao Paolo Motor Show in Brazil in the form of the Dodge Trazo C1.8. The ethanol-capable sedan is being launched in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay and is a version of the Versa built by Nissan.
"The new Trazo C1.8 by Dodge allows us to enter into a segment in which we currently do not compete," said Mike Manley, Executive Vice President of International Sales, Marketing and Business Development for Chrysler in a statement. "The Trazo C1.8 offers customers a high-quality vehicle with great value and provides our dealers with further opportunities to expand their business."The Trazo C1.8 rides on a 102.4-in. wheelbase and slips through the air with a low 0.31 drag-coefficient. It's powered by a 1.8L 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing that is E100 ethanol capable, perfect for countries like Brazil that use ethanol extensively. The engine will be mated to both manual and automatic transmissions, though Chrysler did not elaborate on what transmissions those would be. The car will be backed by a three-year, 50,000-kilometer limited warranty.
Nissan is also reportedly working on a small car for Chrysler to sell in the U.S., though it's unknown at this point if it will be at all related to the Trazo.
