Dodge Previews 2004 Durango

DaimlerChrysler released the first details of the all-new 2004 Dodge Durango on Monday. The new Durango is significantly larger than its predecessor—seven inches longer, two inches wider and more than three inches taller—closely matching Toyota's Sequoia. Much larger than typical mid-size SUVs such as the Ford Explorer and GMC Envoy, the 2004 Dodge Durango offers class-leading interior cargo volume in an SUV package that is smaller and offers better handling than the archetypal full-size SUV.

“With the market growing for sport-utilities with three rows of seating, Dodge has worked to improve the overall packaging of Durango, and we delivered. The new Durango has all the room you really need, with increased head, hip and leg dimensions, 101 cu-ft of cargo space and a third-row seat that allows seating for seven.”

Darryl Jackson, VP, Dodge Marketing

With its third row seat folded and middle row up, the way the majority of three-row seat SUVs are driven, the 2004 Dodge Durango has more cargo room than Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition or Toyota Sequoia.

Large SUVs                Wheelbase  Length     Width     Height   
Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 3277 129.0 5279 207.8 1897 74.7 1957 77.0

Dodge Durango             3028 119.2 5100 200.8 1930 76.0 1887 74.3
Toyota Sequoia            3000 118.1 5179 203.9 1930 76.0 1880 74.0

Chevrolet Tahoe           2946 116.0 5001 196.9 2004 78.9 1943 76.5
Ford Expedition           3023 119.0 5227 205.8 1996 78.6 1971 77.6
Nissan Pathfinder Armada  3129 123.2 5255 206.9 2002 78.8 1913 75.3

For 2004, Dodge Durango offers a new 210 hp (157 kW) 3.7 L V6 as standard and the 5.7 L HEMI or 4.7 L Magnum V8s as options. Both Magnum V8s deliver improved fuel efficiency compared with the previous model Durango, and the HEMI Magnum offers a full 100 horsepower improvement over the 5.9 liter Magnum that it replaces, all while also achieving a 10% fuel economy improvement. With 345 hp (257 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 375 lb-ft (509 Nm) at 4,400 rpm, the new HEMI Magnum also delivers a 40% improvement in horsepower and a 12% improvement in torque versus its predecessor. Equipped with HEMI, Durango easily sets acceleration and towing class records. The 4.7 L Magnum V8 engine is standard on 4WD Durangos for 2004, producing 230 hp (172 kW) and 290 lb-ft of torque (393 Nm) at 3,600 rpm. Both V8 engines are mated to the new 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission, which features a unique alternate second gear ratio for use in difficult passing and grade-climbing situations, and a “Tow/Haul” transmission mode that provides crisper shifts, and reduces gear searching when towing by holding the lower gear longer. The system will also select a lower gear under downhill conditions to use the engine's braking capability. New to the Dodge Durango lineup is the 3.7 L Magnum V6, standard on 2WD Durangos and delivering 210 hp (157 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb-ft of torque (319 Nm) at 4,000 rpm.

An all-new and torsionally stiff fully hydroformed frame is linked to an independent front suspension with rack and pinion steering. Thanks to the consistency of the frame dynamics, the suspension and steering can be finely tuned to deliver superior ride and improved steering feel. A new traction control system and available full-time four-wheel drive improve Durango's on-and off-road capability. Greatly improving the ride of the Durango is an all-new rear suspension with coil springs and a solid rear axle that delivers a smooth ride, yet improves durability, payload and best-in-class towing capability. A Watt linkage system is fitted to the rear axle, centering the axle and reducing rear-end skate over rough surfaces. The result: a smooth ride and a best-in-class Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,600 lbs. and class-leading towing capacity of 8,900 lbs.

“The Dodge Durango is all-new from the ground up with a fully hydroformed frame and chassis that is unique to Durango. With the Durango, we have taken many of the lessons learned on the design and construction of our new Dodge Ram pickup frames in the areas of hydroforming and suspension tuning. What we have delivered is an exceptional handling SUV that literally leaves the SUV pack in our dust.

“SUVs were built with a purpose in mind, and the Dodge Durango delivers the utility that our customers want. The Watt linkage design not only helps to improve the new Durango's ride, but it also let us lower and widen the rear cargo floor, enabling Durango to carry a 48″ sheet of plywood—an industry benchmark.”

Frank Klegon, VP, Truck Product Team

The new frame was designed to not only improve handling and accident avoidance, but provide excellent crash protection as well. New octagonal front frame rail tips with patent pending crush initiators are designed to absorb frontal impacts more consistently. The bumper height of the new 2004 Dodge Durango is within the bumper height zone of passenger cars and engages the structures of vehicles in the event of an impact. In addition to its excellent handling and steering capabilities, the Durango features the largest brakes in its class and standard 17″ wheels. The standard ABS braking system, shared with the larger Dodge Ram trucks, features disc brakes with 13.1″ front rotors and 13.8″ rear rotors increasing the total swept area by 30 percent. The new braking system also features a twin-stage booster and electronic brake distribution for better panic stops.

The new instrument panel cluster features a large, centrally located speedometer and white-faced gauges that provide a connection to other Dodge performance vehicles. Available on the new Limited package, a redesigned HVAC control panel features the new Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) climate control system. The ATC unit uses a dedicated microprocessor and an infrared sensor mounted in the overhead console to measure the temperature of the driver and the cabin. The new system measures ambient temperature and the engine cooling system, delaying the flow of air in cold conditions until warm air is available. The unit also has controls for the rear air conditioning system. A redesigned manual control unit is standard. The steering wheel features a new four-spoke shield design and the vertical edges of the dash drop down to the center stack to divide the driver and passenger seating areas. “Venetian Blind” style air vents close flush and provide a cleaner appearance. The all-new 2004 Durango is also available with a sunroof for the first time.

New for 2004, a UConnect™ hands-free communications system with Bluetooth™ technology is available. The system can recognize up to seven different Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones (one for each occupant) and responds to voice commands using a microphone in the rearview mirror and the stereo system's speakers for hands-free conversations. A new nine-speaker, 384-watt Infinity^® sound system with Ceramic Metal Matrix speakers and a subwoofer that delivers booming sound for CDs and DVDs is optional, as is SIRIUS Satellite Digital Radio.

With an innovative split folding third-row seat design, Durango improves flexibility without losing capability. For 2004, second-row rear seat passengers get their own climate controls and a DVD entertainment system. The second- and third-row rear seats feature more leg, shoulder and hip room than the current-generation Durango. The second-row seats also have a new recline feature. Cargo volume has also been improved, offering a best-in-class 67.3 cu-ft of cargo room behind the second row. Durango easily surpasses larger full-size SUVs, with more than a 20 cu-ft advantage over Ford Explorer behind the second row and more space than Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. With the third- and second-row seats folded, the Durango's flat load floor provides an enormous 101 cu-ft of cargo room, a 15% improvement over the current-generation Durango. The distance between the wheelhouses in the rear cargo area has been increased by more than three inches to 48 inches for added carrying capacity.

The 2004 Dodge Durango features a new advanced air bag system that includes dual stage front air bags and an occupant-sensing system for the passenger-side front air bag. The new system can detect the presence of a child seat and automatically deactivate the air bag. Other safety features available on the new Dodge Durango include available side curtain air bags for all three rows of seating, adjustable pedals and standard four-wheel disc ABS brakes. All seats in the Durango feature three-point shoulder belts, including a new center-mounted, three-point shoulder belt incorporated into the second-row seating area.

The all-new 2004 Dodge Durango will be built at the Newark Assembly Plant in Newark, DE, and will be available in three trim levels: ST, SLT and a new Limited package.