SHARM EL-SHEIKH, 15 February 2004 — The picturesque Sharm El-Sheikh resort presented a perfect setting to the Middle East launch of the new Dodge Durango last week. DaimlerChrysler Middle East considered it to be the ideal venue to show off the “fabulous new” 2004 Dodge Durango in landscapes that would replicate a true driving experience for new Middle Eastern owners.
“The new Dodge Durango sets new standards in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment for power, ride, handling and comfort, while living up to the ‘utility’ promise of SUV,” Bruce D. Ohms, vice president, sales and marketing director, DaimlerChrysler Middle East FZE, Dubai, said at the launch ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel.
The region’s market for SUV’s with three rows of seating is growing, “so Dodge worked to improve the overall packaging of Durango and has delivered a package at a price that will challenge the established leaders,” Ohms added.
The new Durango is larger than its predecessor - 177 mm longer, 50 mm wider and over 76 mm taller. With its third row seat folded and middle row up — the way the majority of three-row seat SUVs are driven — the Durango has more cargo room than its competitors. It is designed for drivers who need their SUV for towing a boat, for off-road work or for families who want the versatility of a full-size SUV for school-runs during the week and family desert trips at weekends. “With more style, cargo room and capability, the Durango delivers on all fronts, including the type of muscle that Dodge delivers thanks to its ‘Hemi’ Magnum engine,” he said.
The 5.7-liter Hemi Magnum V-8 produces 345 bhp at 5,400 rpm, over 100 more bhp than the previous model, and 370 ft-lb of torque, a 12 percent improvement. The Hemi was born when Chrysler engineers discovered that the hemispherical combustion chamber yielded more power.
Underneath there is a new independent front suspension with rack-and-pinion steering for an even more precise feel. The new rear suspension with coil springs and a solid rear axle delivers a smooth ride, maintaining durability, payload and towing capability. “The Durango blends the attributes of both full-size and large SUVs. The original Durango revolutionized the region’s SUV market. Our competitors moved up in size to match us so now we’ve moved the new Durango up as well,” Ohms said.
The emphasis on safety drove the development of a new advanced air bag protection. The vehicle is equipped with optional side-curtain air bags that cover all three rows of seating — “one of the few SUVs on the market to offer this feature.” The new system can also detect the presence of a child seat and automatically deactivate the airbag. Other safety features include adjustable pedals and standard four-wheel disc ABS brakes.
The SUV segment has changed significantly since the original Dodge Durango was launched in the region in 2001. “The spirit of the original Dodge Durango carries over to the all-new Durango,” said Hussein Razek, marketing manager, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Middle East.
