2010 LA Auto Show: Dodge Showcases All-New Durango SUV - COMPLETE VIDEO

SEE ALSO: Dodge Buyers Guide

LOS ANGELES - November 17, 2010: Ralph Gilles, Dodge's CEO and President staged a one-man show today at the Los Angeles Convention Center to present the latest from the Dodge Boys stable (of course, like all good one-man shows there were undoubtedly dozens behind the scenes who worked their asses off to make Ralph's performance look easy).

On display were the all new Dodge Durango, which represents a return for Dodge to the SUV category, along with the latest versions of the Avenger, Grand Caravan, the Journey and the Challenger.

Click PLAY to watch the complete Dodge Press Conference

2011 Dodge Durango — All-new, Three-row SUV With A Soul

Dodge Durango

From its sleek exterior design to its modern, spacious interior, and intelligent, fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain options, the 2011 Dodge Durango is all-new from the inside out. And the changes are more than skin deep. The Durango’s unibody structure is more than 25 percent stiffer than its predecessor. The end result is a vehicle with crossover versatility, SUV capability and performance in a different league than its competitive class.

“Dodge Durango appeals to customers who need the versatility of a crossover and capability of an SUV, but want the refinement and characteristics of a premium performance vehicle,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand and Senior Vice President, Design — Chrysler Group LLC. “Durango owners love to drive and relish the feelings it evokes, but also want a vehicle that stands out from the crowd and expresses their individuality.”

Durango customers live busy lives. They need a vehicle that is spacious and flexible enough to haul three rows of passengers and their gear, but powerful and agile enough to keep it fun. Durango customers are looking for the perfect balance of functional versatility and luxury at an outstanding value. Durango is the only vehicle in the segment that will meet their needs.

RE-ENGINEERED FROM THE ASPHALT UP
The all-new 2011 Durango delivers excitement and refinement with world-class suspension and performance. It’s a driver’s SUV that delivers impressive on-road performance and capability with the flexibility of a three-row SUV.

Benchmarked against premium performance SUV’s in the market, Durango delivers modernized refinement with electronics, suspension and structural characteristics that are usually found at much higher price points.

The unibody structure is built with a selection of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels that improve driving dynamics by integrating the suspension with the body — reducing flex when compared with the previous body-on-frame design. In fact, 52 percent of the Durango’s structure is made from these advanced steels. More than 5,500 welds and more than 4,100 mm of arc welding contribute to torsional stiffness levels greater than the Mercedes-Benz GL.

The all-new short/long arm front suspension and isolated multi-link rear suspension features isolated front and rear cradles for improved on-road handling and comfort.

The all-new Durango delivers on the pavement with aggressive shock and spring rates and large sway bars to handle body roll in hard turning maneuvers. Available electro-hydraulic performance steering, along with standard electronic stability control also contribute to maintain tire grip and vehicle stability.

A robust structure, impressive braking and unexpected stability contribute to the Durango’s best-in-class trailer tow capability. On models equipped with the Pentastar V-6 engine, the Durango can tow up to 6,200 pounds—more than the V-6 and small V-8 that were available in the previous Durango. When coupled with the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, the all-new Dodge Durango offers trailer-tow capability of up to 7,400 pounds—more weight than a 24-foot boat and trailer.

A drag coefficient of approximately 0.35 enables an aerodynamic improvement of more than 14 percent compared with its predecessor, contributing to quiet interior and improved fuel efficiency.

Inside, the new Durango boasts 28 different seating configurations, with as much as 85 cubic feet of cargo and storage areas, leaving plenty of legroom for passengers and gear. With second- and third-row seats folded flat, the Durango can fit a 6-foot couch with room for a coffee table, or for do-it-yourselfers, enough 10-foot 2x4s to build a tree house. Creating versatile and usable cargo space is important to the segment.

Visibility over the third row was critical. Engineering and design worked together to develop a simple solution. When the third row is empty, a single motion actuator can drop the headrests with the push of a button to increase visibility.

Every path that leads to the interior is sealed in one or more ways and joints are made as tight as possible by using sealer between panels, which expands during the paint process. Laminated glass comes standard in all models. Durango features a double wall separating the engine compartment and the vehicle cabin to limit the amount of under-hood engine noise to occupants.

2011 Dodge Journey Crosses Over: A Gorgeous New Spirit and a Driver's Soul

Dodge Journey

The 2011 Dodge Journey is nimble, composed and handles well in all driving and road conditions. Chrysler Group engineers improved routine ride and handling by re-engineering the suspension geometry, adding new, improved premium tires and redesigning the steering for a more precise and coordinated response. Overall, customers will be treated to an energetic, fun-to-drive experience behind the wheel.

In addition, at 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2011 Dodge Journey – equipped with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine – delivers a 20 percent boost in power compared with the V-6 engine it replaces. It’s mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed transmission.

Drivers also will be treated to a smooth, quiet ride. Engineers reduced noise, vibration and harshness by installing new, premium sound-deadening treatments and insulation throughout the vehicle.

But perhaps the most rewarding surprise is Journey’s new interior. Customers will step into world-class levels of craftsmanship and comfort. A beautifully crafted one-piece instrument panel sets the tone. A new, larger cluster with standard Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) is positioned in the center of the new gauges. It’s a full-color display backlit in Dodge red lights, giving it a soft glow unlike any in the segment. New, integrated center stack bezels are less angular and more sculpted, and designers softened the radius to make more room for the driver’s knees. The heating and cooling outlets are also redesigned to make them better looking and better functioning. The center console gets a lot of extra cushion on the tilt-and-slide armrest. Lift the lid, and there’s a larger center storage bin with a 12-volt outlet and USB port where owners can hook up their MP3/iPod® charging connections and hide them away.

The design team also worked to make the Journey’s interior more comfortable. They moved the shifter and cup holders, making it easier for drivers and passengers to get their coffee and soda without having to lean over and under the dash. There’s also a larger front storage bin with side nets. The new multi-functioning, three-spoke Dodge brand steering wheel with integrated controls and a wider, longer, soft-touch armrest transforms the driver’s seat into a cockpit-like experience. Comfortable new seats might just make drivers want to take the long way home to get a little extra seat time. The Dodge Journey offers six new interior color and trims to complete the makeover.

On the outside, Journey maintains its sculpted, clean, aggressive lines and adds a new front fascia that sports the signature Dodge brand “split crosshair” honeycomb grille. The fog lamp bezels are bigger and bolder, and Journey models with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine get a new, unique more aggressive lower fascia with the honeycomb texture in the grille (late availability). New 19-inch wheels; a new, less angular rear fascia and “ring of fire” LED taillamps wrap it up from front to back.

Journey also is loaded with an abundance of safety and security features, including standard advanced multi-stage front passenger air bags, active head restraints, electronic stability control with all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation and Brake Assist, new driver-side knee blocker air bag, side-curtain air bags covering all three rows, front seat-mounted side air bags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, LATCH child seat anchor system and Trailer-sway Control.

An All-new Dynamic for the 2011 Dodge Avenger: A Mid-size
Sedan Designed, Engineered for Spirited Performance

Dodge Avenger

The Dodge Avenger receives a major overhaul for 2011 with an all-new world-class interior, a redesigned, more sculpted exterior and performance attributes that put the “fun” in functional. A new powertrain lineup and completely redesigned and retuned suspension results in exceptional driving dynamics. When combined with the exterior and interior design upgrades, the 2011 Dodge Avenger is a vehicle packed with value and a style all its own.

“From the ground up, the Dodge brand has reenergized and redesigned its 2011 model-year lineup to deliver vehicles with American design and the performance customers are proud to drive,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Consumers will experience this renaissance when they drive the new 2011 Dodge Avenger. The Avenger offers tons of standard features packaged to fit almost any lifestyle, a new world-class interior with a new level of comfort and craftsmanship and a driving experience they’ll look forward to every day.”

The 2011 Dodge Avenger delivers agile, confident, handling performance in all driving situations, whether it’s a spirited adventure on twisty roads or an emergency maneuver. Engineers retuned or redesigned virtually every part of the suspension for 2011, including 26 of 30 suspension bushings. The track is an inch wider, tire width has been increased from 215 to 225 mm and the Avenger has been lowered 12 mm in the front and 6 mm in the rear for a lower, more aggressive stance. When they get behind the wheel of the Avenger, customers will feel more confident, experience less body roll, reduced vehicle motion, improved isolation, better steering precision and increased grip thanks to new premium tires.

Dodge also updated the Avenger’s powertrain options for 2011 to make it even more responsive and fun to drive. The vehicle comes with the standard 2.4-liter World Gas Engine, which has been recalibrated and is now available mated to a new six-speed transmission for an exceptionally fun and fuel-efficient driving experience. The new Avenger powered by the 2.4-liter engine produces 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque.

Buyers also can opt for the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that gives them the best of both worlds – best-in-class V-6 horsepower and exceptional fuel economy. The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

Avenger’s cabin is now one of the quietest in the segment, thanks to the engineers’ efforts to isolate all outside noise where it belongs — outside the vehicle. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) were reduced, and 45 new sound-deadening treatments were added, including an acoustic glass windshield, laminated side glass, new sound absorption materials throughout the vehicle and a new three-point engine mount system for the 2.4-liter World Gas Engine.

New exterior styling features clean, smooth aggressive lines. The new, more sculpted front fascia sports the signature Dodge brand “split crosshair” grille, while an aggressive lower fascia with the honeycomb texture grille features new projector beam fog lamps. The rear fascia is also more sculpted, and new “ring of fire” LED taillamps provide an easily identifiable on-road presence.

With an all-new interior for 2011, Avenger customers will step into world-class levels of craftsmanship, content and comfort. The all-new instrument panel, bezels, gauge faces and the new multifunction three-spoke Dodge steering wheel transform the driver’s seat into a cockpit-like experience. Armrests and the instrument panel are soft to the touch, and new premium interior finishes are pleasing to the eye. New heating and cooling outlets are redesigned to fit seamlessly into the new instrument panel. The driver and passengers will sink in to new upgraded seats with more cushion material and be able to pick from new leather and cloth seating options. The Dodge Avenger’s new interior color schemes and accent stitching complete the makeover.

Avenger’s high-tech features are designed to keep drivers connected with their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road. New ambient interior lighting and the new Dodge steering wheel with integrated controls let the driver operate the radio, cruise control, handsfree phone and other vehicle functions without taking their hands off the wheel. Drivers also can stay connected via an available media center with voice command that is easy to use and offers SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a 30-gigabyte hard drive, iPod® connectivity, streaming music capability and a navigation system with SIRIUS Travel Link for real-time information.

Safety and security features abound in the 2011 Dodge Avenger, giving owners peace of mind. Standard features include advanced multi-stage front passenger air bags, active head restraints, electronic stability control (ESC), supplemental side-curtain air bags, front seat side air bags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic traction control, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system and available Uconnect® Voice Command.

The 2011 Dodge Avenger is available in five different configurations in the United States, packaged to fit almost any lifestyle. The Avenger Express, Avenger Mainstreet, Avenger Heat, Avenger Lux and Avenger R/T models are packed with cool standard features and unexpected versatility at a surprising value.

The standard mid-size sedan segment is the largest vehicle segment in the United States, with more than 1.6 million vehicles sold in 2009. The 2011 Dodge Avenger is uniquely positioned as an alternative for consumers looking for a sedan with more style, personality and performance as well as with value for their dollar.

The 2011 Dodge Avenger is available in eight exterior colors: Blackberry Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Redline 2 Pearl Coat, Stone White Pearl Coat, Mango Tango Pearl Coat, Bright White Pearl Coat or Black.

The Originator is Back with an All-new New Attitude — The new
2011 Dodge Grand Caravan: New Heart, New Moves, New Soul

Dodge Grand Caravan

Dodge continues its new product onslaught with the new 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, a minivan with the driving dynamics of a performance sedan — and a little bit of attitude.

“At Dodge, we believe that just because a driver needs the versatility of a minivan doesn’t mean that the experience has to be boring,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO — Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our engineers redesigned and retuned virtually every system in the new Grand Caravan’s suspension. That suspension overhaul, combined with a new V-6 engine that delivers best-in-class horsepower, gives Grand Caravan drivers a dynamic driving experience that other minivans in the segment just don’t deliver. We encourage you to get behind the wheel, and enjoy a driving experience once never thought possible in such a functional vehicle.”

The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan will be available in four configurations that fit almost any lifestyle: the Express, Mainstreet, Crew, and arriving in spring 2011, the Dodge Grand Caravan R/T.

NEW PENTASTAR V-6 ENGINE DRIVES THE CHANGES
At the heart of the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is an all-new powertrain. The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transaxle. This potent combination replaces all three of the previous minivan engines. Gone are the 3.3-liter, 3.8-liter and 4.0-liter V-6 engines, all replaced with one high-tech, high-performing and highly responsive motor that hits the sweet spot between power and efficiency.

With the Pentastar engine, the new Grand Caravan delivers best-in-class horsepower (283 hp compared with 197 hp in the previous 3.8-liter V-6 engine) and more torque (260 lb.-ft. versus 230 lb.-ft.) without sacrificing fuel economy.

The 2011 Grand Caravan also features a new driver-selectable fuel economizer mode. Drivers can change the transaxle shift schedule with the flip of a switch to maximize their fuel economy. In addition, a 12 mm lower ride height, new premium, lower-rolling resistance tires, a new spoiler and reduced brake caliper and rear bearing drag all contribute to Dodge Grand Caravan’s class-leading aerodynamics and excellent fuel economy.