Unique Packaging Gives Durango Buyers More Flexibility, Convenience
Press Release
DETROIT, MICH. --Whether you are in the first, second or third row of the 1998 Dodge Durango, you’re sitting in the most uniquely designed and space efficient sport-utility vehicle on the market. Durango’s combination of seating choice, space-creating innovation and storage options make it flexible and convenient without compromising passenger comfort.
Durango is the first eight-passenger compact sport-utility vehicle. However, its versatility in the five, six- and seven-passenger configurations make it a practical option for both carrying passengers and for work situations.
"There’s no doubt that people will view the eight-passenger seating as one of the more innovative parts of the Durango package," said Trevor Creed, Director of Advanced, Exterior Jeep®/Truck, Interior Design, Color and Trim. "But we see the true appeal in the fact that you have a distinctive and sporty looking multi-use vehicle regardless of the chosen seat configuration or vehicle requirement."
Durango’s space-creating innovation starts from the top down. The roof is raised approximately four inches from the second seat back, allowing for increased headroom. This also allows for the second and third rows to be raised "theater" style for increased visibility.
"Our packaging studies showed we had to raise the roof if we were going to find any kind of room to do a forward-facing third seat," Creed said. "If we kept the roof "as is" we would have been forced to put in a rear-facing third seat or two jump seats, which would not have been a comfortable alternative for adults."
The optional rear air-conditioning unit is mounted at the front of the raised area to maximize headroom and provide a direct flow of air to the second and third rows. The roof rack is integrated with the raised area to provide a seamless look to the roof line.
"Raising the roof started out as a challenge and turned into a feature," Creed said. "Inside, it provided an opportunity to put the air conditioning unit in a place where it wouldn’t take away headroom and, on the outside, it gave us a natural place to attach the roof rack."
The instrument panel and seating options in the front row are similar to the all-new Dakota. Both a divided bench seat (two outer portions at 40 percent each and a 20 percent center portion) and bucket seats, with a center console are available.
"We have received tremendous positive feedback on the instrument panel and seating options on Dakota, so it would have been pointless to make a change for its sporty-utility brother," Creed said. "We saw a chance to give Durango buyers the same comfort as Dakota without a major increase in investment."
Durango’s 40-20-40 second row bench seat provides room for three adults or serves as comfortable two-passenger seating with a fold -down center console.
Each of the two "40" sections of the second row seat fold and tumble forward to provide a wide entry to the third seat. The second seat also folds forward to create a flat load floor when the third row is also folded. The back is hinged as on a reclining seat and the cushion is hinged at the front edge. Separate latches are located on the outside of each seat to operate the fold-and-tumble action. Raising the lever slowly, the back latch releases first, causing the seat back to fold forward. Raising the lever releases the seat cushion latch, allowing the entire seat to tumble forward into the foot well. This provides the widest entry way for third row passengers of any sport-utility vehicle. This adjustment can also be operated by passengers in the third seat to allow for an easy exit.
Additionally, the back of the center "20" section also folds forward and latches. Folding this, in concert with the outward sections, forms a load surface level with the cargo floor.
The optional third seat, a full bench, serves as comfortable seating for two adults or, when the seat back is forward, provides a level load floor. Folded in conjunction with the folding second row, a segment best 88 cubic feet of cargo space is created.
"We didn’t want to take cargo versatility away from the customer who ordered the third row of seats," Creed said. "With this configuration, you can carry a tremendous amount of gear or eight passengers."
Durango’s versatility is not just in the seating but in the storage opportunities. A unique floor pan depression behind the rear axle creates a latching storage compartment to keep items like hunting and fishing equipment out of the way. For customers who don’t order the third row of seats, an additional larger latching storage compartment fills in the foot well area used by third seat passengers.
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