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Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Dodge Dakota
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| RE-DESIGNED DAKOTA IS A FIRST-YEAR HIT. MID-YEAR ADDITION OF DAKOTA R/T TO ADD MORE POWER TO THE LINEUP |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:28:16 |
| Rating |
 148 ( -18 -12.16% ) |
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Description:
The re-designed Dakota is now one-year old, but it's bold design and class-leading room, power and capability is continuing to attract a whole new group of compact pickup buyers to Dodge. And with the addition of the Dakota R/T in 1998, "street truck" enthusiasts who might have never looked at a Dakota will now have a powerful new option.
"With the re designed Dakota, we combined all the positives of the previous truck -- power, towing and hauling capability and interior room - with the bold styling and rugged image of the Dodge Ram," said Dodge General Manager Ray Fisher.
Performance has been, and still is, one of the hallmarks of Dakota. A line-up of three Magnum engines gives the Dakota buyer strong performance at every point in the compact class. Dakota offers the only V-8 in the segment, the 5.2-liter Magnum V-8, which delivers 230 horsepower and 300 ft-lbs. of torque. The 3.9-liter Magnum V-6 is the most popular Dakota engine choice and offers 175 up and 225 ft Ibs. of torque. For entry-level truck buyers, the highest performing four-cylinder engine in the compact class is the 2.5-liter Magnum I-4 on the Dakota (120 hp., 145 ft-lbs. torque).
Dakota matches its best-in-class engine performance with best-in-class hauling and towing Dakota's 6,700 Ibs. maximum towing capability stacks this truck favorably up against even some of its fil11-size competitors, while its 2,600 lb. maximum payload surpasses some full size entries.
But Dakota's appeal doesn't come strictly from its brawn. Strong emphasis was put on making Dakota the best handling and quietest compact truck on the market today.
The Dakota team went back to basics to create a fully tunable chassis. Utilizing a solid frame structure, truly optimum steering and suspension geometry, larger wheels and tires and appropriately sized shocks and bushings, the chassis will respond to tuning and allows for best-in-class steering and ride and handling.
Simultaneous tuning-also helped make Dakota a quiet truck. By viewing the truck as a total unit in which the frame, body structure, body and powertrain mounts, suspension bushing and tires are tuned together, Dakota engineers were able to maximize quietness.
The combination of capability and an improved day-to-day driving experience has attracted many new Dakota customers. Dakota is now the first-choice preference of nearly one-quarter of compact shoppers, according to the market research firm Allison-Fisher. That makes Dakota the second most sought after compact pickup, up from fourth a year ago.
"We have always been able to attract the compact pickup customer looking for more power and room," said Ray Fisher. "But now we're reaching the part of the compact audience that's looking to make a personality statement with their truck."
For 1998, the newest Dakota will further the truck's image as a performance leader. In the spring of 1998, Dodge will introduce the Dakota R/T, a 250-hp, performance-tuned "street machine."
The 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 powering the R/T surpasses Dakota's 5.2-liter V-8 as the most powerful engine in its class. A large bore, free flow exhaust delivers maximum engine output and a head-turning exhaust note. A four-speed automatic transmission comes standard.
R/T suspension tuning, including front and rear stabilizer bars provide the driver with controlled handling, while 265/55xl5-inch tires help fasten the R/T to the pavement.
The Dakota R/T will be available as a 4x2 Regular Cab and Club Cab and equipped with a traction maximizing limited slip, - anti-spin differential. |
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