Two engines are offered with the Nitro: a 3.7-liter V6 engine for the Nitro and Nitro SLT that makes 210 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, and a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 255 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 275 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm for the Nitro R/T. One manual and two automatic transmissions will be offered; the base Nitro will come standard with a six-speed manual, the Nitro SLT is fitted with a four-speed automatic, and the Nitro R/T will feature a five-speed automatic. Manual transmissions come with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, and full-time all-wheel-drive is offered with automatic transmissions. Suspension design is a front independent/solid rear configuration, with what Dodge says is a sport-tuned setup in the R/T model. Braking comes courtesy of four-wheel antilock brakes, with traction control and DaimlerChrysler’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) keeping the Nitro stable. Side curtain airbags are also standard.