The 2011 Dodge Durango features a sculpted new shape with a grille similar to the Dodge Ram pickup truck.
The Durango returns to the Dodge lineup for 2011, but this time as a mid-size unibody rather than as a full-size body-on-frame truck.
Following up teaser images that were released last month, Dodge is now showing images of the whole vehicle.
And there’s a little surprise in the pictures, as well: The Durango sports Dodge’s new logo. With the creation of the Ram line of trucks, the Dodge loses the Ram in its familiar logo.
The Durango, which is based on the same platform as the recently introduced 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, will have three rows to seat up to seven people. The Grand Cherokee is two rows only.
Dodge's new logo is animal-free now that Ram is a separate truck brand.
The Durango will come with a choice of two engines. Standard is Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter V6 and the optional engine remains the 5.7-liter V8. Although specs have not been released for the Durango, in the Grand Cherokee, the V6 produces 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The V8 is rated at 360 horses and 390 pound-feet torque.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive will be available with either engine.
Despite having a unibody structure, the Durango will have significantly better towing capacity than other vehicles in its class: 6,200 pounds with the V6 and 7,400 pounds with the V8. Those figures beat the 2011 Ford Explorer, which will be rated to tow 5,000 pounds and the Chevrolet Traverse, which is rated to tow 5,200 pounds.
Dodge is also promising that the Durango’s interior will be more refined than the old truck. Interior fit and finish has been a huge problem for recent Chrysler vehicles.
Built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, the new 2011 Dodge Durango arrives in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2010. The automaker did not release interior photos.