Prototypes for the 2011 Dodge Durango (or 2011 Dodge Magnum if internal documents are correct) were spotted again this week, and this time the heavy camouflage had given way to psychodelic decals and bumper brassieres. The upshot is that we can now see the face, shape and even the size of the redesigned Durango.
As you'll recall, this Durango-Magnum will break with the SUV's traditional body-on-frame architecture and employ unit-body construction, sharing a platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This Durango still looks to be plenty long enough to accommodate a third-row seat, but it appears it won't be quite the oversize beast the second-generation SUV was.
This is a good thing, because with CAFE rules tightening up, Dodge really can't rely solely on V8s to move this around in traffic. Oh, the Hemi V8 may indeed make a return on the Durango, but look for the volume engine to be Chrysler's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
creeper says:
08:43 AM, 05/11/10
dodge journey: supersized
acuracanada says:
09:02 AM, 05/11/10
Dodge as a brand and Chrysler as a company is the worse automotive choice you can buy. They rate last of all car companies on reliability and they make very overprice yet cheaply made cars. Hyundai has managed to be a huge player way faster than these government bailout guys with out the government money. GM has been making BETTER cars and new cars in the time they took the bailout. Chrysler has done NOTHING!
yellowperil says:
09:06 AM, 05/11/10
The overall proportions (length/height ratio) remind me of the Flex.
rollk says:
10:04 AM, 05/11/10
Flex meets 4Runner... and those headlights already look like they need a midcycle refresh & it hasn't even hit market yet (in 2010, I think xenon headlights should be standard equipment; halogen still? Seriously?)
smilez says:
10:17 AM, 05/11/10
acuracanada -
First off, your facts are wrong. I'm not saying they are tops in reliability, but they are not last.
Second, go rant somewhere else, it's a spy shot of a Durango for cryin out loud.
They are anything BUT overpriced, I think ACURA fills that bill a little more closely.
GM was faster to getting things back in order, but Chrysler and Fiat will hopefully get things back on track. They need a lot of work with the look and feel of their products. And what I'm hoping is this Durango/Magnum does...in part.
snipenet says:
10:58 AM, 05/11/10
smilez, don't be too hard on acuracanada, he's just echoing something he heard from his mother-in-law.
bodyblue says:
11:14 AM, 05/11/10
"GM has been making BETTER cars and new cars in the time they took the bailout. Chrysler has done NOTHING!"
Funny.....the Dodges in the current IL fleet have been almost flawless......something the past few GMs have been far from. Oh and neither of them have been as good as the last few Fords who did not take a bail out.
firstwagon says:
12:53 PM, 05/11/10
Chrysler is in the process of reinventing an entire line up (and company). GM just carried on with the status quo and introduced new models that were already in the works. Their turn around is as much to do with the economy being much better this year vs last year as it does with anything they have done.
It's anyone's guess as to how successful the line up Chrysler/Fiat creates will be over the next few years. I'm sure it will be interesting.
GM's focus on large sedans and crossovers could leave them stuck with the same boring label as Toyota.
threemopars says:
03:05 PM, 05/11/10
"GM has been making BETTER cars and new cars in the time they took the bailout. Chrysler has done NOTHING!"
So what your saying that in a years time GM has released a totally brand new model that was designed and developed using the bailout funds?
No GM hasn't done anything either. They've carried out the plans that they already had.
And what do you expect Chrysler to do when 2 companies ran them into the ground?
smilez says:
04:05 PM, 05/11/10
Back to the D/M (Durango/Magnum).
I'm getting a Pacifica/Acadia vibe. The camo seems easy enough to break through, but each picture makes the D/M look completely different.
I'm curious, but it looks a little too crossoverish to me. I'll reserve judgment.
bodyblue says:
04:26 PM, 05/11/10
"I think xenon headlights should be standard equipment; halogen still? Seriously?)"
Not everybody wants to pay a lot more for replacement bulbs. Its a Dodge not a Porsche.
"And what do you expect Chrysler to do when 2 companies ran them into the ground?"
Finally someone who gets it! The freaking Germans and the Wall Street idiots strangled MOPAR.
ampeg500 says:
06:07 PM, 05/11/10
I'll get excited when I see a Caliber/ Avenger replacement that might actually be decent. Or a Fiat 500 Abarth! That would be fun.
technetium99 says:
06:55 AM, 05/12/10
>>>in 2010, I think xenon headlights should be standard equipment; halogen still? Seriously?
Oh, come on! How are Xenons better in any way? Halogens are cheaper to replace, last longer, and put out more lumens than Xenons. The only thing Xenons have is snob appeal. In ten years or so all cars will have LED headlights and people will wonder what kind of idiot preferred those stupid blue, poorly illuminating things.
thunderchild says:
06:24 AM, 05/21/10
I have owned 2 Durangos. A 2000 and now a 2003. BOTH were the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. Only ever needed basic maintenance items. Brakes, plugs, tires, etc, etc... I have owned Saabs, VW's, Audi, Volvo, Merkur and a 76 Potiac Firebird bought new. None can compare with my 2 D's with a 4.7 by the way in both. Other Chryco products may have had some issues but mu Durango's have been rock solid!
thunderchild says:
06:29 AM, 05/21/10
Man I need to slow my typing down and proofread my posts!