Recently in Durango Category

These were big, roomy utes powered by large V8 engines that could seat at least four adults, offer space for tons of cargo, tow a heavy trailer and storm through the woods in stock form.  While the modern SUV can do just about anything that a 1983 Ramcharger could (plus packing more power, more efficiency and more gadgets), today's full size SUVs have gotten to be so expensive that most average owners shudder at the thought of driving in icy weather for the fear of damaging one of the plastic exterior body panels.

First and foremost, the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois will both completely skip their scheduled two week summer downtime.  Jefferson North builds the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee while Belvidere currently builds the awesome new Dodge Dart alongside the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot.  The strong sales of the Durango, Grand Cherokee, Patriot and Compass require these two plants to stay open all summer - bolstered by the start of production of the new Dart.  Also, the Toluca Car Assembly Plant in Mexico will skip their summer downtime.  Toluca produces the Dodge Journey (and the Fiat Freemont) along with the compact Fiat 500.

The Dodge Durango Special Service models include the same engine lineup as those sold to the public, beginning with the 290 horsepower Pentastar V6 and topping out with the 360 horsepower Hemi V8.  Whether fitted with the V6 or V8 option, the Durango fire and police vehicles will receive a heavy-duty braking package, a high output 220-amp alternator recharging a heavy duty battery, a high volume water pump and an engine oil cooler.  These features help to deal with the odd driving cycles of a police or fire department vehicle with the electrical system improvements help to accommodate the added strain of the interior and exterior electrical gadgetry.