(08:30 Sep. 01, 2003)
New 2004 Dodge Durango combines car, truck features
By MARY CONNELLY | Automotive News
To fight a new generation of sport wagons, Dodge redesigned the Durango SUV for a dual mission: drive more like a car, and haul and tow like a truck.
This month, Dodge begins assembling the redesigned 2004 model on its own chassis to deliver more nimble ride and handling.
The current Durango, introduced as a 1998 model, has an SUV body on the Dodge Dakota pickup chassis.
"The Durango is aimed at people who need capability and performance, whether towing a boat or going off-road," says Frank Klegon, vice president of the Chrysler group's truck product team. "But these people also have rising demands with regard to ride and feel and comfort."
Dodge product developers benchmarked the ride of the Lexus LX 470, an upscale truck-based SUV. Dodge will not forecast sales volume for the redesigned SUV. The company sold 106,925 Durangos in 2002, down 18.3 percent from 2001. Through July, sales were 65,436 units, up 2.1 percent from the year-ago period.
Powertrain changes
Dodge continues to position the Durango as the in-between SUV: smaller than full-sized SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban but larger than models such as the Ford Explorer and the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Competitive SUVs are growing in size, Klegon says. So the redesigned Durango is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor.
The 2004 Durango wears new sheet metal. The chief carryover parts are powertrain components. For example, the 4.7-liter V-8 in the current Durango is offered in the redesigned model. But the rest of the 2004 Durango powertrain lineup is reworked.
For the first time, Durango is available with a V-6 engine, to better compete with the Explorer and TrailBlazer, the company says. A 210-hp 3.7-liter V-6 is offered only on 4x2 models, where it is the standard engine.
Hemi Magnum optional
Dodge's 345 hp 5.7-liter V-8, which the company calls the Hemi Magnum, is optional in the redesigned Durango. It first was offered on the 2003 Ram Heavy Duty.
Dodge expects up to 45 percent of buyers to choose the 5.7-liter V-8, Klegon says. Another 40 percent will opt for the 4.7-liter V-8, and the rest will take the V-6, he says. About 70 percent of the 2004 Durangos will be 4x4 models, Klegon says.
Dodge will begin its Durango marketing push in mid-November. Expect the company to tout:
-A new interior that Klegon describes as "more carlike in its instrument panel, presentation and control locations." The upgraded interior points to the future of Dodge's truck lineup, he says.
-Increased head, hip and leg room and Dodge's Fold and Tumble third-row seat that the company says can be folded with one hand.
-Generous cargo capacity and towing capability. A new rear suspension with coil springs and a solid rear axle improves the vehicle's towing capability.
Autoweek: 2004 Dodge Durango combines car, truck features
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