(continued from the previous page)

The all-new instrument panel features a beautifully crafted monotone or two-tone appearance with a dark upper and lighter lower color and premium soft-touch materials for all price classes. Panel construction also features tighter gaps when compared to its predecessor and almost 50 percent fewer intersections of parts for higher fit and finish levels, giving customers "I can't believe this is mine" looks.

Inside, the new Durango boasts 28 different seating configurations, with as much as 85 cubic feet of cargo and storage areas, leaving plenty of legroom for passengers and gear. With second- and third-row seats folded flat, the Durango can fit a 6-foot couch with room for a coffee table, or for do-it-yourselfers, enough 10-foot 2x4s to build a tree house. Creating versatile and usable cargo space is important to the segment.

Visibility over the third row was critical. Engineering and design worked together to develop a simple solution. When the third row is empty, a single motion actuator can drop the headrests with the push of a button to increase visibility.

Every path that leads to the interior is sealed in one or more ways and joints are made as tight as possible by using sealer between panels, which expands during the paint process. Laminated glass comes standard in all models. Durango features a double wall separating the engine compartment and the vehicle cabin to limit the amount of under-hood engine noise to occupants.

Two Powertrains Available

The all-new Durango is available with two powertrains that provide rear-wheel-drive performance and fuel efficiency. Engines available in the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango include the flex-fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 - both engines feature variable valve timing (VVT). When equipped with the Pentastar V-6, the Durango can drive more than 500 miles on a tank of gas.

The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango is also available with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with fuel-saver mode. The 5.7-liter delivers 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm and also features VVT. The available V-8 delivers performance, best-in-class 7,400 lbs. of towing capability and fuel efficiency. The EPA fuel economy mpg (City/Hwy) is 14/20 for rear-wheel-drive models and 13/20 for all-wheel-drive models.

The 2011 Dodge Durango features two automatic transmissions and two available full-time all-wheel-drive systems (V-6 and V-8 versions). The drivelines provide smooth operation of the vehicle over a variety of road conditions. Where competitors have switched to car-based platforms, the HEMI-powered, all-wheel-drive Durango features a low-range transfer case for light off-road recreation and to ease maneuvers while towing, such as pulling a boat out of the water from a high degree launch or backing up with a trailer attached.

Rigid Chassis

The unibody structure is built with a selection of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels that improve driving dynamics by integrating the suspension with the body - reducing flex when compared with the previous body-on-frame design. In fact, 52 percent of the Durango's structure is made from these advanced steels. More than 5,500 welds and more than 4,100 mm of arc welding contribute to torsional stiffness levels greater than the Mercedes-Benz GL.

The all-new short/long arm front suspension and isolated multi-link rear suspension features isolated front and rear cradles for improved on-road handling and comfort.

The all-new Durango delivers on the pavement with aggressive shock and spring rates and large sway bars to handle body roll in hard turning maneuvers. Available electro-hydraulic performance steering, along with standard electronic stability control also contribute to maintain tire grip and vehicle stability.

A robust structure, impressive braking and unexpected stability contribute to the Durango's best-in-class trailer tow capability. On models equipped with the Pentastar V-6 engine, the Durango can tow up to 6,200 pounds-more than the V-6 and small V-8 that were available in the previous Durango. When coupled with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, the all-new Dodge Durango offers trailer-tow capability of up to 7,400 pounds-more weight than a 24-foot boat and trailer.

A drag coefficient of approximately 0.35 enables an aerodynamic improvement of more than 14 percent compared with its predecessor, contributing to quiet interior and improved fuel efficiency.

High-Tech Features

From families taking a long road trip and needing to keep the kids entertained, to sports enthusiasts who don't want to miss the game and teens who can't live without on-line gaming, the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango offers the latest high-tech features to keep driver's eyes on the road and passengers connected. Drivers can communicate, navigate and select entertainment options with advanced voice-recognition controls. Passengers can stay entertained with the latest available features, including, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, SIRIUS Backseat TV and Uconnect Web.

Dodge Durango: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications