Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is a midsized SUV from DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. It debuted in the 1998 model year and was redesigned for 2004. It fills the gap in the Dodge lineup since the cancellation of the Dodge Ramcharger in 1993. The Durango is produced at the Newark Assembly plant in Newark, Delaware.

1998 to 2003

The Durango was launched just after the second-generation Dodge Dakota on which it was based. (During the late 1980s, Chrysler designers proposed building an SUV version of the Dakota pickup; this was shelved when the Jeep division was about to release the ZJ Grand Cherokee as their flagship SUV.) It is a very sturdy truck-based SUV designed to hold up to seven passengers comfortably and tow up to 9,000 lb with ease. The 4.7L PowerTech V8 replaced the 5.2L for 2000. In that same year a special all-wheel-drive performance version called the R/T was released with a 5.9L engine.

Engines

• 1998–1999 — 5.2L Magnum V8, 230hp (172kW)
• 1998–2003 — 5.9L Magnum V8, 245hp (183kW)
• 2000–2003 — 4.7L PowerTech V8, 235hp (175kW)

2004

The second-generation Durango debuted shortly before the companion Dakota pickup. Like the Dakota, it has much in common with the large Dodge Ram pickup, including a fully-boxed frame. It is 7in. longer, 2in. wider, and 3in. taller than the previous model. Chrysler will introduce its own version of the Durango, the Chrysler Aspen, for the 2007 model year.

Engines

• 2004–2005 — 3.7L PowerTech V6, 210hp (157kW) at 5200rpm and 235ft·lbf (319N·m) at 4000rpm
• 2004–2005 — 4.7L PowerTech V8, 235hp (175kW) at 4500rpm and 300ft·lbf (407N·m) at 3600rpm
• 2004–2005 — 5.7L Hemi V8, 335hp (250kW) at 5200rpm and 370ft·lbf (502N·m) at 4200rpm

Rumors

In 2008, DaimlerChrysler is expected to introduce a hybrid version of the Durango which uses the shared GM/DaimlerChrysler Advanced Hybrid System 2.