Test Drive Dodge Durango since 2004 SUV
Should drink less...
Dodge Durango - big, comfortable, voraciousAt the end of November, the official sales of Dodge Durango were started in the capital. The full-scale introduction of this purebred American to our market is still early to speak, as the Concern Daimler Chrysler first decided to restrict himself with the tackling of a potential buyer, and therefore the status of the official dealer of this model has been received by the few car dealerships.
As soon as it comes to purebred American SUV, imagination instantly draws a certain heavy oscillation of immense sizes, under the hood of which is at least eight pots, the inconsisions of the suction order of five and six liters. And at the same time with a soft swinging suspension and comfortable interior.
And Dodge Duranngo justified the expectations - Big, if not to say a huge, wagon, slightly stylized under the 50th anniversary of the last century, with the front wings hanging over the wheel arches, slightly rounded hood and roof planes, lu-pheel optics and a massive chromed grid with a cross and trademark in the middle.
By the way, the car managed to go through certification - horizontal stepper appeared on the back door, and the gradation on the Speedometer scale has changed, and the intake air temperature is now measured not in Fahrenheita, but in more familiar degrees Celsius. However, for some reason, the dodge lighting remained the same - orange dimensions in front and red turnout repeaters from behind.
Honestly, to identify in the Durango passing, it is possible not at first glance - it seems he has all the characteristic signs: a decent height, a big road clearance, an impressive wheelbase. But at the same time, more than a long body slightly grows true dimensions. It is also worth noting a sloping profile with highly inclined front racks. In general, the car is rather similar to the SUV, but on something average between the passingman and minivan. And sometimes it seems that he has more similar damn items with the second. Inside, everything is also in American - very spacious. The driver will fit the driver of any dimensions, regardless of growth and the set - the steering wheel changes only angle of inclination, but the seat is controlled by electric drives in all planes (naturally, except transverse). In addition to him, six to seven people will settle in the car with comfort.
Nevertheless, the lounge can not be called.
On the one hand, all the seats, armrests are quite mild and pleasant to the touch with gray skin. But on the other hand, there is a lot of frankly hard, the same gray plastic color. The picture is slightly diluted with polished aluminum inserts, which are finished internal door opening handles and a central console. Although it would be more logical to give preference to a tree trim, capable of issuing a much richest look, but the Americans were limited to small.
But at the Equipment, Durango will not give any Europeans - the list of standard equipment (Limited execution) includes four airbags, ABS, full electric car, including heated front seats, leather interior, separate for the front and rear passengers with a climatic installation, hatch with electric drive and cruise -the control. Moreover, the standard package includes even such options as fog lights, roof trunk, automatic lighting system. In addition, the SUV installed a magnificent Infinity stereo system with 8 speakers, a six-track CD changer, a subwoofer and a 384-watt amplifier. In general, come up with something more quite difficult - well, except that the TV or refrigerator.
Nevertheless, convenience, and Durango is still a car, it means that it should be comfortable not only to passengers, but also the driver. At first glance with the ergonomics of the workplace, everything is in order - a comfortable chair, a big steering wheel, but ... with a climate installation and a lot of special problems, it did not arise, with a trip-computer located on the ceiling in general, too. However, the operation of the only left-handed switcher did not please (to the right under the ram - a typical American ACP selector). It turns on / off turn signals, distant light, as well as windshield wipers and windshield washers. But if the first two and the wipers worked without complaints, then with the wash of glass, difficulties arose - the washer nozzles were included with the delay in two to three seconds. With very slurted weather, it is extremely uncomfortable. The same story and a rear brush, besides, its switch for some reason was placed in the lower right corner of the central console, so that it is either necessary to stretch independently, or pass the control of this node to the front passenger. The second option is easier and more convenient, since the washer, here also activates by simply pressing the body, reacts very slowly.
However, all this, though annoying, but the little things, to which sooner or later get used to and stop noticing. Otherwise, Durango is a completely decent car and besides relatively inexpensive. For all this mince in Russia, they ask a little less than $ 70,000 in Russia, while in this amount it fits not every much less equipped European or Japanese.
In addition, you should not forget that for this money under the hood Dodge set one of the most powerful ovens - 5.7-liter V-shaped eight HEMI Magnum is a modern version of the legendary racing motor of the 50s of the last century. Not only is it capable of developing 350 horses, it also has an impressive torque - 502 nm at 4200 rpm. HEMI is aggregated with a 5-speed automaton 5-45rfe and a all-wheel drive transmission (with a distribution equipped with a downward number), which is controlled by which by means of a three-position switch on the central console (by the way, you can switch at a speed of up to 100 km / h). So Durango has a permanent four-wheel drive.
Nevertheless, the first thing, for which, naturally, pay attention, making his way through the overloaded urban streets, is not an engine, but handling and review, especially when under you a similar 5-meter monster. But here Durango pleasantly surprised - first, soft and informative steering wheel, allowing pretty quickly to move from a number of in a row. And secondly, a magnificent visibility: thanks to the huge loops of the side mirrors, the dimensions of the car are caught instantly. Perhaps the only inconvenience - they have to configure in a bus, slightly dropping down, otherwise the neighboring cars, which are not reaching the glory of the American, are in the dead zone.
Dodge rides, naturally, an American (front suspension on double transverse levers with transverse stability stabilizer, rear - continuous bridge). The car goes very softly, but at the same time swinging on the waves as a sea cruise liner (and almost at any speed), and in the corners it is still sad and serious lateral rolls. Although it would be meaningless to expect anything else. By the way, as it turned out, Dungo really does not like a small comb (the ride had to ride in the residues of the snow-based rocker formed in the Moscow streets). Such irregularities suspension works very reluctantly, and the vibration of the body is starting to be very annoyed after a while.
Why there are no complaints, it is to the engine and brakes (front and rear - disk with ABS). The settings of the power unit are selected perfectly - after touching the accelerator, a 2.5-ton car literally shoots, spoiling a motor up to 5000-6000 revolutions. It is impossible to say that passengers presses in the chair, but the acceleration is quite well. By the way, for some reason, the manufacturer tries not to distribute such data as the time of overclocking up to 100 km / h, but on subjective impressions of a hundred Durango dials seconds for 8-9, no more. The same and data on fuel consumption - there are no official numbers, only in the catalog of the Geneva Motor Show shows a modest 18 liters in a mixed cycle, however, apparently, the indicators are clearly underestimated. It is clear that the sedan's economy does not have to wait from the 5.7-liter engine of the sedan economy - with an aggressive driving style, HEMI is able to literally devour about thirty liters per hundred (at least such expenses showed his trip-computer). In a calmer rhythm, the author of these lines was able to achieve an average consumption - 23-24 liters - or a liter less. Although for the buyer who can lay out for Dodge Durango 70,000 green is a clearly insignificant factor.
Text: Vladimir Lodine
Source: Mkmobile magazine
