102 March 2014 www.bahrainthismonth.com Model Dodge Durango, Citadel Model year 2014 Engine 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine Displacement 3,604 cc Horsepower 290 hp @ 6,400rpm Torque 353 Nm @ 4,800 Transmission eight-speed automatic Acceleration 9.2 seconds Top speed 217 km/h DAVID M. ROBERTSON Boasting improved levels of comfort, capability and versatility, the latest incarnation of the Dodge Durango is better than ever! The last time that I piloted a Dodge Durango on a test drive was a couple of years ago, around the F1 track at Bahrain International Circuit. Steering a sturdy people carrier around the tight corners of the race track at something more than a gallop was an interesting experience, to put it mildly! The chance to reacquaint myself with the Durango on a trip from Dubai to Fujairah offered an opportunity to see how this seven-seater has evolved in recent years. At first site it was clear that this SUV has grown up, a little akin to a teenager who you had not seen for a number of years who had blossomed into an adult. The exterior offers a much smoother appearance and yet, at the same time, exudes the power of the brand. The SUV is available in four models — SXT, Rallye, Limited, R/T, and Citadel — with a wider variety of styles depending on the model option. For the 2014 edition different colour options are ALSO available, with body-coloured crosshairs and a full chrome finish being two of them. We test drove the Citadel and Limited options; the increased luxury, space and styling in both was apparent. The ride itself, ranging for highways to an off-road section, was a breeze with levels of comfort that reflect the overall sense of respect that the Dodge brand commands. The new model does have a slightly lower profile for 2014, improving aerodynamics. There’s also a lot more detailing all around the car, from the little Dodge logos in the headlamps to the embossed stitching on the seats. From the back, the rear tail-lamp cluster more closely resembles the hugely popular design found on the rear of the Dodge Charger. An emphasis has been placed on comfort and practicality, with a staggering 50 different seating configurations for sevenpassenger seating. There’s even an option with the second row, of two captain’s chairs with a pass-through to the third row. The interior is as eye pleasing and comfortable as you’d expect from a big American SUV, with some features that really make it stand out. Aside from the ample space and plush leather seating, the two screens on the dashboard are a real attraction. The TFT screen which serves as the instrument cluster is easy to personalise, with over 100 different ways to programme it. And the 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system boasts an extremely intuitive interface and a huge amount of features and connectivity, making it a class-leading feature of this car. All in all, the 2014 Durango is a hugely comfortable, spacious and a practical family carrier. And for those of you who are interested, there’s a highly entertaining series of YouTube adverts for the Durango featuring Will Ferrell’s Anchorman character Ron Burgundy. motoringwheels Commanding Respect BLIPP THIS PAGE TO: WATCH INTERVIEW WITH FIAT CHRYSLER MIDDLE EAST MANAGING DIRECTOR, JACK RODENCAL ENJOY SOME GREAT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE TEST DRIVE EXPLORE THE 2014 DODGE DURANGO VIEW DODGE DURANGI IMAGE GALLERY
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