[Tony James]

This is not meant as a bash in any way because the Nitro is a dynamite looking truck, but there's no way the design team came up with the Nitro without taking a good, hard look at the new Land Rover LR3. I mean...right down to the air-intake vent. (Which Caddy also borrowed for the '07 Escalade.)

I can't be the only one who see this, right?

 

[bald1]

Funny you mention that Tony. I was looking at pictures of the Nitro the other day and my son asked in passing "Is that a new Land Rover"?

I think they looked back to the early 50's Willys Wagon for the design.

 

[Tony James]

Willys...The true pioneer of 4 x 4s.

Your son's got a good eye there Bald1!

 

[AirJunky]

Someone drove a couple year old Hummer H1 to work today & parked right next to my Nitro. It was funny to see the two side by side. Obviously the Nitro is a lot smaller. But the Hummer had those same vents, the squared off, flat doors, & the short windows.
The Nitro isn't necessarily unique in styling, but uses some of the same features & puts it in a more realistic package. I can't imagine the Hummer gets great mileage or is very easy to park in a tight lot.

 

[mkaresh]

Since I first saw the Nitro I thought they were going for a Hummer flavor, with a more usable interior, at a lower price. But I can also see the LR3 connection. Wish the vents weren't so obviously fake.

 

[top gun]

Someone drove a couple year old Hummer H1 to work today & parked right next to my Nitro. It was funny to see the two side by side. Obviously the Nitro is a lot smaller. But the Hummer had those same vents, the squared off, flat doors, & the short windows.
The Nitro isn't necessarily unique in styling, but uses some of the same features & puts it in a more realistic package. I can't imagine the Hummer gets great mileage or is very easy to park in a tight lot.

I think the Dodge design team are geniuses! Think about it. Almost all the main stream American SUV's going for a more and more rounded look... chasing after Acura & Lexus I presume. Dodge looks at the big heavy hitters Range Rover & Hummer and says... Let's build a bad boy package like that, but one that is more practical for more people. BAM... NITRO!!!