Dodge Durango SUV expands cabin and adds HEMI-powered engine
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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DRIPPING SPRINGS, Tex. -- The twisty two-laner in the hills of Texas swings off to the right, then left, then right again in chicanes cut into limestone embankments that lead to a narrow bridge across the Pedernales.
Down this contorted course comes a big-rig treatment of Durango, the sport-utility vehicle from Dodge.
It's a new edition packing the muscle of a HEMI-powered engine and fast-response rack and pinion steering gears to handle all of the cut-back curves on a road swooping into the river valley.
We're prodding it, of course, to take the chute at a rather quick clip in order to experience the nimble new attitude of this wagon as worked though a revamped structure and compliant suspension.
And it delivers in a dance across the river that's as lively as a Texas two-step.
The surprising aspect of Durango's freshly forged agility is that this wagon measures considerably larger than the predecessor version.
It's about seven inches longer, two inches wider and over three inches taller.
That size-wise expansion makes Durango almost as large as some full-size wagons, yet it acts more like an easy-to-maneuver compact.
It's a neat trick for a versatile vehicle that's big enough to seat seven passengers comfortably on the three banks of seats.
Riding on a new chassis constructed with hydroformed boxed rails, Durango for 2004 is new from the tread on the tires to the rack on the roof and it packs below a stepped-hood prow three different choices in powertrains.
Check out the new exterior design and you'll find strong muscular definition and taut but curvy lines that seem to negate the boxy styling of a typical SUV.
Its silhouette shows brief overhangs in front and back, bold wheel arches on flanks and a windshield tipped to the extreme to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.
And that chin-forward face: It's apparently such an intimidating image in the rearview mirror of traffic ahead that drivers tend to pull to the side and let the wagon by.
This get-out-of-my-way prow -- a fresh interpretation borrowed from Dodge's Ram truck with stepped-hood styling of a big-rig Peterbilt -- seems hard to overlook. It's bold and assertive, a massive facade dominated by a huge cross-hair grille coated in chrome and underlined by the protrusion of a fat-lip bumper.
Despite such forceful lines on the outside, this Durango also allows concessions for comfortable fittings on the inside in a makeover with more inches of room added longitudinally as well as laterally to stretch the walls outward.
That means more room for riders on the three rows of seats and more space for cargo too.
Cargo volume expands by 15 percent over the previous Durango design, now tallying to 102 cubic feet.
Durango's standard seat layout installs twin front buckets separated by a center console and followed by a sculpted second-row bench divided 40/20/40 in separate sections, and a third-row bench split 50/50.
The second bench folds and tumbles easily from either side to access rear quarters and seatbacks on the third row also fold flat, either individually or together, to enlarge the cargo compartment.
A fresh design of the dashboard adds a center cluster of controls for audio and climate systems plus an instrument panel with bold round analog gauges flashing white faces and silver metal rims.
Driver's bucket molds to your backside through contoured surfaces and there are multiple controls to make a perfect fit, while adjustable pedals on the floor are standard for all editions.
Seatbacks on the second row recline for comfort and riders on this row will find controls to operate the climate system and optional DVD-based video gear.
Durango also offers a new top-end audio package with 384-watt Infinity system packing nine speakers for whopper sounds from CDs and DVDs.
Other entertainment options include the Sirius brand for satellite radio service and a device called UConnect with Bluetooth technology for hands-free communications through a Bluetooth-equipped cellular telephone.
A disc brake is in place at every wheel with standard anti-lock brake system (ABS), while curtain-style side air bags concealed above windows for all three rows of seats score as a new safety option.
More options come with choices in trim, powertrains and traction mode.
Durango's trims are designated as ST, SLT and Limited.
Powertrains range from a new V6 to a 4.7-liter Magnum V8 and the ultra-powerful 5.7-liter HEMI V8 prompting best-in-class towing capability.
The six-pack displaces 3.7 liters and runs up to 210 hp at 5200 rpm with torque numbers climbing as high as 235 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
A four-speed automatic transmission works on the V6 strictly with two-wheel-drive (2WD) traction.
The 4.7-liter V8 climbs to 230 hp at 4600 rpm plus torque pegging high to 290 lb-ft at 3600 rpm.
It connects to a five-speed automatic and fits either the 2WD mode or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
Durango's power monster is a heady rendition of a fabled Chrysler HEMI engine design. The HEMI Magnum 5.7-liter V8 develops 335 hp at 5400 rpm and up to 370 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm through the automatic five-speed.
The HEMI V8 goes in a RWD Durango or the optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) version with electronic shifting into 4WD high and low range plus AWD mode.
Pick this 4WD package for off-road forays or the 2WD mode for heavy-duty trailer-haul chores.
Dodge has built a bigger, better and more powerful Durango with the 2004 issues but brings all to market with price points that undercut previous editions.
The price-leader Durango ST 2WD with V6 power lists for $25,920.
Durango SLT 2WD begins at $28,160, and a Durango Limited 2WD goes for $31,965.
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| 2004 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size 5-door SUV wagon
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size 5-door SUV wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
119.2 inches
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| Overall Length: |
200.8 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.7-L V6
SOHC 4.7-L V8
OHV 5.7-L V8 HEMI
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| Transmission: |
3.7: Auto/4 42RLE
4.7: Auto/5 5-45RFE
5.7: Auto/5 5-45RFE
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| Drive: |
3.7: 2WD rear
4.7: 2WD rear
AWD
5.7: 2WD rear
4WD
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ opt. 6 (side curtain)
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| Gross Weight: |
2WD: 6600 pounds
4WD: 6600 pounds |
| Towing Capacity: |
2WD: 8950 pounds, 4WD: 8700 pounds
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| Gas Mileage: |
3.7 2WD: 16/21 mpg
4.7 2WD: 14/19 mpg
4.7 AWD: 14/18 mpg
5.7 2WD: 14/19 mpg
5.7 4WD: 13/18 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
Durango ST 2WD: $ 25,920, Durango ST AWD: $ 28,705, Durango SLT 2WD: $ 28,160, Durango SLT AWD: $ 30,945, Durango LTD 2WD: $ 31,965
Durango LTD 4WD: $ 34,255 |
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