Stellantis Media Site 2007 Dodge Dakota Continues to Stand Alone as the Largest, Strongest and Most Capable Mid-size Pickup Truck                                                Contact:                                                             Colin                         McBean                                                                                                Todd                         Goyer                                                                                                                                                                                   2007 Dodge Dakota Continues to Stand Alone as the Largest, Strongest and Most Capable Mid-size Pickup Truck                                                                                                                                                           August 31, 2006,                                                                                                                      Auburn Hills, Mich.                                                       -                                               The 2007 Dodge Dakota continues to deliver best-in-class torque, towing capacity and interior space. With versatile body styles and powerful engines – including the only V-8 engines available in the mid-size pickup truck segment – Dodge Dakota delivers bold pickup styling and capability.“Dodge buyers like the right size of the Dodge Dakota, which is more fuel efficient and maneuverable than a full-size pickup but can still get the big jobs done,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group. “The 2007 Dodge Dakota lets our owners work hard and play hard by providing the largest and strongest mid-size pickup truck on the market.”The 2007 Dodge Dakota offers its 4.7-liter V-8 engine with standard E-85compatibility, earning the Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) designation that provides customers the option of operating their Dakota on ethanol, gasoline or a mixture of the two.In addition, Dodge Dakota features a new standard dual-position tailgate, allowing customers more options when using the pickup bed for hauling materials; optional remote start; Tip Start; a one-touch lane-change signal; YES Essentials® stain-resistant fabric; and new 18-inch wheels are available.“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007”Exterior    Dual position tailgate becomes standard equipment on all models and provides increased functionality for cargo bed hauling    New exterior color offerings include Brilliant Black and Electric BlueInterior    YES Essentials® Stain resistant, odor resistant, anti-static seat fabric becomes standard cloth on SLT model and is packaged with ST model seat upgrade    Power accessory delay ensures power function, including radio, continues for period of time after vehicle is keyed offPowertrain / Chassis    3.7-liter engine upgraded to include Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) capability    4.7-liter engine becomes flexible-fuel capable (E85)    Low current, tip start ignition    18-inch chrome clad wheel becomes available on SLT and Laramie models    18-inch black painted aluminum wheels offered as stand-alone optionSafety & Security    Segment-first remote start becomes stand-alone option on SLT and Laramie models    Three-blink lane change feature enables one-touch capability    Passenger seat belt reminderPackages    18-inch painted aluminum wheel is packaged with Sport Appearance Group, which is optional on SLT and Laramie models    Chrome accent package available on SLT and Laramie models includes chrome tubular side steps, fuel filler door, hood deflector and exhaust tipDESIGN“The Dodge Dakota is instantly recognizable as a Dodge,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design, Chrysler Group. “The bold design reinforces Dodge Dakota’s size and power advantages over the competition with full-size styling cues. Dakota defines the look for its segment, just as the Dodge Ram does for full-size trucks.”Dodge Dakota’s grille conveys a powerful and prominent brand statement with its signature Dodge crosshair as the focal point. The sharply defined, large hood-mounted grille descends into the front bumper, creating a strong visual effect. An air dam below the front fascia completes the bold look, reducing air flow under the vehicle and reducing drag.Dakota Club Cab® and Dakota Quad Cab® models feature more interior room than all other mid-size pickups. The Dodge Dakota Quad Cab offers the most interior space and is the only four-door model in its class to offer six-passenger seating.Dodge Dakota’s capability advantage continues with more room between the wheel wells, compared with the competition, and maintains its bed-wall height for easy loading. The Dodge Dakota Club Cab features a 6-foot, 6-inch bed, and the Dakota Quad Cab a 5-foot, 3-inch bed.ENGINEERING“With bold styling and a variety of versatile body and powertrain options, the 2007 Dodge Dakota gives mid-size truck buyers exactly what they want,” said Mike Donoughe, Vice President – Body-on-frame Product Team. “With more torque, towing capability and interior room than the competition, Dodge Dakota continues to deliver full-size pickup capability in a mid-size package.“New for 2007, Dodge Dakota offers customers more fuel choices with its flexible-fuel, 4.7-liter V-8 engine, which is compatible with E-85 fuel.”The 2007 Dodge Dakota takes its place at the head of the mid-size pickup truck class with a hydroformed, fully boxed frame, coupled with coil-over shock absorbers, and an independent front suspension that provides precise ride-and-handling dynamics. Dodge Dakota achieves a best-in-class tow rating of 7,150 lbs. and a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 11,700 lbs.With two V-8 offerings, the 2007 Dodge Dakota dominates the mid-size pickup truck segment in torque and towing. The 4.7-liter V-8 Magnum® is rated at 230 horsepower (172 kW) and 290 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque, while the 4.7-liter High Output Magnum V-8 provides even more performance with 260 horsepower (190 kW) and 310 lb.-ft. (420 N•m) of torque.A powerful 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 rated at 210 horsepower (157 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque is a segment-exclusive standard feature on the 2007 Dodge Dakota.PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTSThe only mid-size pickup truck with two V-8 engines    Dodge Dakota offers the only V-8 power in the mid-size pickup market with an available FFV 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 that produces 230 hp and 290 lb.-ft. of torque    An available High Output 4.7-liter Magnum V-8, with 260 horse power and best-in-class 310 lb.-ft. of torque, provides even more performance    Dakota also features a standard 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 delivering 210 hp and 235 lb.-ft. of torque, featuring a new variable-line-pressure, four-speed automatic transmission that improves fuel economyFull-size truck capability    Dodge Dakota delivers a best-in-class tow rating of 7,150 lbs. and best-in-class GCWR of 11,700 lbs., living up to its “do more, get the job done” image    Dakota’s hydroformed and fully boxed frame increases stiffness and improves durability    Dakota’s bed has 5 extra inches between the wheel wells, compared with the competition, easing loading and carryingBest-in-class interior room    Dodge Dakota features best-in-class overall interior space, compared with mid-size pickup truck competition    Dakota Quad Cab offers four true doors, with second-row doors opening 84 degrees; room for six adults; and better ride quality than its smaller competition    Dakota Club Cab provides Full Swing rear-access doors on both sidesComfort and convenience    Entertainment sound system options include a 508-watt SoundBox™ from Alpine® and an audio auxiliary jack that enables playback of personal audio devices    An optional sun roof is available on the Dodge Dakota Quad CabFive-star safety rating    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Dodge Dakota Club Cab a five-star safety rating in front- and side-impact crash tests    Dodge Dakota is available with side-curtain air bags for front and rear passengers    Crushable and replaceable, octagonal front frame rail tips with patented crush initiators are designed to absorb frontal impacts more effectively and consistently than other designsMODEL LINEUP2007 Dodge Dakota STStandard Features    3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine    180-degree opening rear-access doors (Club Cab only)    Tinted rear windows    Air conditioning    Map lamps    AM/FM stereo with single CD player and four speakers    Front disc and rear drum brakes with rear-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS),    16-inch styled steel wheels,    Electric-shift, part-time, four-wheel-drive transfer case    Cloth bucket seats   Optional Equipment    Four-speed automatic transmission    4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine with five-speed automatic transmission    Sliding rear window    Cloth heated bucket seats with six-way power driver’s seat    500-watt SoundBox audio system    UConnect® Hands-free Communication System with Bluetooth® wireless technology    Four-wheel, anti-lock braking system    Supplemental side-curtain air bags    Skid Plate Group and Trailer Tow Group    Sport Appearance Package2007 Dodge Dakota SLTStandard Features    3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine    Chrome bumpers    Fog lamps    Dual power mirrors    Power windows, locks and keyless entry    16-inch cast-aluminum wheels    Cloth bucket seats with full-floor console    SIRIUS Satellite radioOptional Equipment    4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine    4.7-liter High Output Magnum V-8 engine    17-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels    Full-time electric-shift transfer case (four-wheel drive only)    Leather seats    Six-way power driver’s seat    Premium AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD player and MP3 capability    Alpine six-speaker system with 288-watt amplifier    Leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls    Supplemental side-curtain air bags    Skid Plate Group and Trailer Tow Group    Sport Appearance Package2007 Dodge Dakota LaramieStandard Features    Automatic transmission    Automatic headlamps    Leather bucket seats with six-way power driver’s seat    Premium AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD player and MP3 capability    Alpine six-speaker system with 288-watt amplifier    Leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls    Auto-dimming, day-night rearview mirror    UConnect® Hands-free Communication System with Bluetooth wireless technology    Security alarm    Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer    Overhead Convenience GroupOptional Equipment    4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine    4.7-liter High Output Magnum V-8 engineSAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURESPlease refer to the Safety Glossary for descriptions of the following features:      Anti-lock Braking system (ABS)    Child-protection rear door locks    Constant Force Retractors (CFR)    Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)    Energy-absorbing steering column    Enhanced accident response system    Head restraints    HomeLink® universal home security system transceiver    Interior head-impact protection    Knee bolsters    Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system    Low-risk deployment front-passenger air bag    Octagonal front frame rail tips    Seat belt pretensioners    Remote keyless entry    Supplemental side-curtain air bags    Three-point shoulder belts    UConnect® hands-free Communication systemCOLOR AVAILABILITY    Electric Blue    Brilliant Black    Bright Silver Metallic    Bright White    Flame Red    Mineral Gray Metallic    Patriot Blue Pearl Coat    Inferno Red Crystal Pearl CoatMANUFACTURING INFORMATION    2007 model year production start: August 2007    Production location: Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Mich.    4.7-liter V-8 engine: Mack Avenue Engine Plant 1 in Detroit    3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine: Indianapolis Foundry in Indianapolis    Five-speed automatic transmission: Indiana Transmission I in Kokomo, Ind.    Six-speed manual transmission: Sao Bernardo do Campo plant in Sao Paulo, BrazilMARKET POSITIONThe 2007 Dodge Dakota offers the optimal combination of bold styling, real pickup truck capability and superior ride comfort. With best-in-class torque and towing, the 2007 Dodge Dakota delivers bold, full-size pickup styling and power with the only V-8s in its class.The Dodge Dakota Club Cab and Quad Cab models offer more interior room than all other mid-size pickups. The Dodge Dakota Quad Cab is the only four-door model in its class to offer six-passenger seating. Dakota Club Cab features Full Swing rear-hinged access doors that open nearly 180 degrees for easy entry and exit.Demographics    Gender: 89 percent male (Club Cab); 81 percent male (Quad Cab)    Age: 25-45    Median Annual Household Income: $56,000    Household: 72 percent married (Club Cab); 79 percent married (Quad Cab)MARKET ADVANTAGES    Two V-8 offerings: 4.7-liter V-8 Magnum is rated at 230 horsepower (172 kW) and 290 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque, while the 4.7-liter High Output Magnum V-8 provides even more performance with 260 horsepower (190 kW) and 310 lb.-ft. (420 N•m) of torque    A powerful, 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 rated at 210 horsepower (157 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque is a segment-exclusive standard feature on the 2007 Dodge Dakota    The Dakota Quad Cab is roomier than all other mid-size pickups, providing adult-size rear-seat accommodations for three, and overall seating for six passengersPRODUCT CHRONOLOGY2006 Model YearFour New 2006 Offerings:TRX —The TRX equipment package is available on Dakota ST, SLT and Laramie 4x2 models, in both Club and Quad Cab configurations. TRX equipped vehicles include unique five-spoke/five-lug 16-inch aluminum wheels and aggressive Goodyear Wrangler off-road tires; tow hooks; limited-slip differential; and TRX decal on cargo box.TRX4 Off-Road—The TRX4 off-road equipment package (available mid-2006 MY) is available on Dakota SLT and Laramie 4x4 models, in both Club and Quad Cab configurations. TRX4 equipped vehicles include painted shocks; unique, five-spoke/five-lug 16-inch aluminum wheels and aggressive BF Goodrich off-road tires; increased ride height of one inch; limited-slip differential; heavy-duty service package; skid plates; tow hooks; specific TRX4 Off-Road cargo box decal; and slush mats.R/T—The Limited Edition R/T model is based on the Dakota SLT equipped with the “2TD” customer preferred option (CPOS) package and is available in Club or Quad Cab configurations. Dakota R/T content includes 4.7-liter High Output (HO) engine; 17-inch five-spoke/five-lug chrome-clad aluminum wheels; hood scoop; sport appearance package (in Red Flame or Black only); body color grille surround; chrome exhaust tip; cargo box decals; R/T headrest; R/T instrument cluster graphic; and Satin Silver center stack/door remotes.Night Runner—The Limited Edition Night Runner model is based on the Dakota SLT and is available in Club or Quad Cab configurations. The Night Runner model is equipped with black chrome grille surround; fascia insert and 17-inch Black Chrome wheels; sport appearance package; cargo box decal; Night Runner headrests with logo stitching; Night Runner instrument cluster graphic; and black center stack/door remotes.    Optional SoundBox™ from Alpine® (available on Club Cab only) offers powerful 508-watt sound system and 10-inch subwoofer within styled, translucent “box” positioned between rear seats    Premium audio system — 276 watts — optional Alpine® speaker system    Audio Auxiliary Jack enables playback of personal audio devices is standard equipment and added to standard audio system    Center stack appliqué on SLT models changes from wood finish (Sycamore) to GH metal    SIRIUS Satellite Radio digital audio system standard on Laramie models    Variable Line Pressure (VLP) feature added to four-speed automatic transmission (mated with 3.7-liter V-6 engine), resulting in improved fuel economy and smoother shifts    16-inch styled steel wheel replaces 16-inch full-face wheel on ST 2TC CPOS    16-inch cast-aluminum wheel available as option on 2TC CPOS    P265/65R17 (17-inch) On/Off Road tire replaces P275/60R17 all-season tire on 4x2 models    Rear access doors on Club Cab configured to open nearly 180 degrees — a first-in-segment application    Optional sun roof systems offered on Quad Cab models    New exterior color offerings are Inferno Red Crystal Pearl and Light Khaki2005 Model Year    Optional 4.7-liter High Output V-8 engine brings 260 horsepower    Six-speed manual transmission    Quieter air induction system    Coil-over-shock-absorber independent front suspension    Stronger, more durable hydro-formed frame    Outstanding brake system stopping distance, fade resistance and pedal feel with new disc/drum brake system that weighs 15 pounds (6.8 kg) less than four-wheel disc brakes of comparable performance    Chrome-clad 17-inch wheels—optional on SLT and Laramie    Restyled body    Rear access doors on Club Cab    Automatic headlamps standard equipment on Laramie    Roll-formed ultra-high-strength steel windshield header    Ditch weld seam (where the roof meets the aperture) provides a finished appearance without a molding    Freshened interior    Cloth and leather bucket seats available with carbon fiber heating elements    Rear-door map pockets in Club Cab and Quad Cab rear-door trim panels    Optional integral six-disc CD changer capable of playing MP3 discs (Sales Code RAQ)    Powerful audio system—276 watts—optional Infinity® speaker system    Optional Satellite Digital Audio radio system    Optional UConnect® Hands-free Communication System    Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol intra-vehicle communications network    Multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags with weight-based Occupant Classification System (OCS) for controlling front-passenger air bag deployment    Available side-curtain air bags for front and rear seats    Shoulder belts in all rear seating positions, Club Cab and Quad Cab (shoulder belt in center rear seating position of Quad Cab)    Head restraints in rear outboard seating positions that comply with proposed regulation    Taller front head restraints that comply with proposed regulation    Optional integrated remote keyless entry transmitter and ignition key    Optional long-range remote keyless entry transmitter2004 Model Year    3.7-liter V-6 engine replaces 3.9-liter V-6 engine    New 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission available    Front bucket seats become standard on Quad Cab    Stampede Package continues on Sport Regular and Club Cab 4x2 models2003 Model Year    Mid-model year intro Stampede    New 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission with 4.7-liter engine provides a second overdrive ratio—optional on Sport, Sport Plus, SLT and SLT Plus models    2.5-liter engine is discontinued    Four-wheel disc brakes with rear-wheel anti-lock (RWAL) are standard on four-wheel-drive models and two-wheel-drive models    16" x 7" cast-aluminum wheels are standard on all models except R/T    Four-gauge cluster standard on base and SXT models    Next-generation controller (4.7-liter engine only)    New six-disc in-dash CD changer radio is optional    Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system added    Interior upper head impact protection—Front driver and passenger; meets 2003 federal standard    Onboard refueling vapor recovery system added to all Club Cab models    Natural vacuum leak detection pump added (4.7-liter engine only)2002 Model Year    New SXT model with Regular and Club Cab bodies    Sport Plus and SLT Plus models replace corresponding décor packages, mid-year    Fixed GVWR ratings provide increased payloads on most models    Larger—P235/75R15 tires—Standard on two-wheel-drive Quad Cab    Rear-Wheel Anti-Lock (RWAL) brake system includes Electronic Brake Apportioning (EBA) for increased rear brake lining life    Door structure revised for dynamic side-impact protection    Brake-shift interlock (automatic transmission only)2001 Model Year    NV233HD and NV244HD electrically shifted four-wheel drive transfer cases    Sentry Key® engine immobilizer added to optional security alarm    All-new interior: Instrument panel, instrument cluster, floor consoles and trim panels2000 Model Year    Quad Cab (November 1999 introduction)    Next-generation 4.7-liter Magnum® V-8 engine    Multi-speed 45RFE automatic transmission    Rack and pinion steering on four-wheel-drive models    Early compliance with 2003 model-year head impact safety standard    Child seat tether anchors in cab back panel1999 Model Year    NV1500 five-speed manual transmission used with 2.5-liter I-4 engine1998 Model Year    R/T Group with 5.9-liter Magnum® V-8 engine (250 hp and 345 lb.-ft. torque) (April 1998 introduction)    Next-generation driver and front-passenger air bags (running change) (a)    Passenger air bag on/off switch (running change) (b)1997 Model Year    All-new body and chassis    Passenger air bag1994 Model Year    Driver air bag1993 Model Year    Four-wheel anti-lock brakes available1991 Model Year    Club Cab available with four-wheel drive1990 Model Year    V-8 engine introduced    Club Cab body introduced (two-wheel drive and 6.5-ft. box only)1987 Model Year    Four-wheel-drive model initial introduction1986 Model Year    Rear-wheel-drive model initial introduction spring 1986 as a 1987 model(a) Certified to federal regulations that allow less forceful air bags. Always use seat belts. Remember, a back seat is the safest place for children.(b) Important, always remove key. Rearward-facing child seats can be used in the front seat only with the passenger air bag turned off.