Dodge is planning to send shock-waves through the new car market this summer with the introduction of the strikingly styled Nitro.

Chrysler Group managing director Peter Lambert says: "In a world of mostly bland competitors, the Dodge Nitro has the design, engineering and performance to inspire drivers and shake up the mid-size SUV market.

The Nitro boasts excellent overall performance and competitive fuel economy, as well as a comprehensive range of safety, security and convenience features including the new Load 'N Go' rear floor cargo system.

Nitro will offer UK customers a choice of one petrol and one diesel engine together with a 4x4 drivetrain.

The all-new 2.8-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine is a four-cylinder, in-line engine available with a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic transmission and is expected to account for more than 90 per cent of sales in the UK.

Maximum power is 174bhp with a fuel economy figure of 30.1 mpg. The alternative 203bhp 3.7-litre SOHC V-6 petrol engine is only supplied with an automatic gearbox.

The Dodge Nitro will launch in the UK in July with the 2.8 CRD SE manual priced at £18,990, the 2.8 CRD SXT manual at £22,490, the 2.8 CRD SXT Automatic at £23,490 and the 3.7 SXT Automatic at £23,490.

Mr Lambert adds: "People want to drive a car that helps them to stand out from the crowd and still manages to offer great value for money. Our new Dodge vehicles deliver bold and aggressive styling together with masses of standard kit that make them both incredibly good value."

Nitro is one of two new models that Dodge will launch this summer, the other being the Avenger saloon that shares its side profile with a muscle-car icon - the Dodge Charger.