Monday, May 2, 2011

2011 Dodge Durango Debut In Chicago


Dodge has revealed the 2011 Durango Heat in the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. It is based on the Durango R/T. The R/T gets a V8 engine and the Heat is powered by a V6. Both pretty much look the same.


Interested in the 2011 Dodge Durango R/T, but wish you could exchange Hemi power for six-cylinder fuel economy? Good news: the 2011 Dodge Durango Heat, revealed this morning at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, may appeal to your sensibilities.


The Durango Heat and the R/T get fog lamps, a colour-matched grille and dark headlamp bezels. Also included are a colour-matched body kit, wheel lips and rear fascia with integrated dual chrome exhaust outlets.

From afar, you might mistake the Heat for the new Durango R/T, which was also rolled out in Chicago. For the most part, the two are virtually identical - both receive a unique front fascia with fog lamps and an aggressive chin spoiler, unique side sills, body-colored grille surround, xenon HID headlamps, performance-tuned suspension calibration, and unique 20-inch satin-finish aluminum wheels.


The difference, however, is only noticable once you pop the hood. While the R/T is fitted with the 360-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, the Heat falls two cylinders short. Instead, it's fitted with Chrysler's new 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. Although the six-banger may not excite true power junkies, it will appease owners when it comes time to top off the 24.6-gallon tank. The EPA rates rear-wheel-drive Durango V-6 models at 16/23 mpg (city/highway), while all-wheel-drive models attain a 16/22 mpg rating. In contrast, V-8 models are rated at 14/20 mpg and 13/20 mpg, respectively.

Opting for the Heat will also save buyers in the showroom. Chrysler says pricing for the Heat - which slots in between the base and midlevel Crew trims - will start at $31,145 (including $850 in destination charges) for a two-wheel-drive model; adding all-wheel-drive bumps that figure to $33,145. Tthe Durango R/T, on the other hand, is priced at $36,315, or $38,715 for an all-wheel-drive model.

Like the R/T, the 2011 Durango Heat is expected to roll into Dodge dealerships across North America later this spring.

The 2011 Dodge Durango will be making its way to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and other GCC countries in a few more months.

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