DODGE REVEALS AN ALL NEW DURANGO

When Chrysler hit the skids and filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, few pundits thought the company would make it out alive. Most companies don’t. And then a series of fortunate events happened for Chrysler, starting with a big helping hand from the Feds, and following it up with the partnership with Fiat—a company with a number of new products that fit into all the segments that Chrysler was lacking. Chrysler confirmed its plan of reorganization in near record time. The new products were slow to come, but a new Ram pickup truck followed. Last month, a new Jeep Grand Cherokee was released. And now, there’s a brand new Dodge Durango.

Chrysler says the Durango will lead the Dodge brand’s new product onslaught for 2011. The new Durango features two engine options: a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and an optional 5.7-liter HEMI engine with fuel-saving, Multi-displacement system (MDS) four-cylinder mode. Both engines feature variable-valve timing (VVT) and are available with all-wheel drive. The Dodge Boys and Girls claim exceptional V-6 and V-8 towing capability with standard trailer sway control (V-8 - 7,400 lbs. and Best-in-class V-6 – 6,200 lbs.). “When equipped with the HEMI® V-8, the all-new Durango can tow more weight than a 24-foot boat and trailer,” says Chrysler Group’s Nick Cappa. The Durango’s new interior may come as a surprise. “Everywhere they touch, Durango passengers will feel materials that are refined and soft to the touch,” says Chrysler Group representative Kristin Starnes. “Durango’s interior is also extremely comfortable for all three rows of passengers, and there’s a surprising amount of interior flexibility. With 22 different seating configurations, there’s plenty of room to store and move plenty of people and their gear.”

The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango also offers consumers some new-for-Durango safety and security features, including Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Keyless Enter-n’ Go. “The best part is, consumers will get all of the all-new Durango’s capability, functionality and flexibility and still get excellent fuel efficiency, says Starnes. “Drivers can go more than 500 miles, that’s the distance from San Diego to San Francisco or from Detroit to New York City, without having to stop for fuel.” Built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, the 2011 Dodge Durango is expected to arrive in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2010. - Roy Nakano