Dodge Dakota

The Dodge Dakota ( from model year 2011 Ram Dakota) - is a pickup model of the U.S. car company Chrysler. With its introduction in 1987, the Dodge Ram offered since 1981, a second pickup was set aside. The Dakota was nominated in 2000 for the North American Truck of the Year award.

The Dakota was always greater than all other smaller pickups (Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S -10, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier ) and established with its introduction the new class of " mid-size trucks ." In this, the competitor from Nissan, Chevrolet and Toyota have risen to 2005. The Chrysler Group increased the Dakota from 2005 even further in its dimensions, so it only with Extended or Crew Cab ( one and a half or double cabin) was finally offered - with a length of 5.56 m and a Double Cab with Shortbed to 5.70 m the "full- size pickups " (Ford F-150, Ram 1500, or Chevrolet Silverado ) standing closer than the middle-class competitors. In addition, the Dakota offered only member of his class to the double cab standard with a loading of 5.4 feet in length. For the Dakota for a long time as the only midsize pickup an optional V8 engine was available.

2011, production of the Dakota was discontinued.

Dakota (1987-1996)

The Dakota at that time was presented as the first mid-size pickup ever, the combined ease of use and the relatively low consumption of compact pickups with a loading volume and the transport capacity of a "full- size pickups ."

The first generation was produced from 1987 to 1996 and was available with in-line four - as well as with a V6 engine. The Dakota was optionally available with a manual 5 -speed gearbox or a 4- speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available in conjunction with a six-cylinder engine. In addition, you had the choice between a 2 m and a 2.4 m long cargo area. From 1989 to 1991, the Dakota was built as a convertible version with a manually removable roof. As of 1991, a 5.2-liter V8 engine was available.

Dakota (1997-2004)

Three years after the launch of the new Dodge Ram and a brand new Dakota was presented. He had a more aggressive design and a new 5.9 -liter Magnum V8 with 186 kW ( 250 hp), which was unique in its class and was able to compete "full- size pickups " with the engines of many.

As of 2000, four-door Quad Cab models were available and the old 5.2-liter V8, the first generation was replaced by a new 4.7-liter SOHC Power Tech Magnum V8. From the year 2002, the Dakota was no longer with four-cylinder engines offered, as these were last sold significantly worse than the much stronger V6 and V8 engines. 2004 including the old 3.9 -liter V6 was replaced by a completely new and more powerful 3.7-liter V6 accounted for the big 5.9 -liter V8 in the Dakota.

Dakota (2005-2011)

Dodge Dakota Crew Cab (2005-2007)

The renewed for 2005 Dakota no longer divided, like its predecessor, the platform with the Dodge Durango, as the new Durango appeared in 2004, now based on the platform of the Dodge Ram. The third Dakota was available with a six - and optionally with two eight-cylinder engines. The well-known 3.7-liter V6 with 157 kW ( 210 hp ) and the 4.7-liter V8 with 175 kW ( 230 hp ) was additionally a 4.7 -liter high-output V8 with 191 kW (260 hp) set aside.

The V6 and smaller V8 engine was available with a 5 -speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox. From 2006, this was true only for the V6 model. To refresh the styling a bit, the third generation model was no more than Regular Cab ( = two-door car with 2-3 seats) available, but only as a Club Cab ( = two-door car with 4-6 seats ) or as Quad Cab ( = four-door car with 4-6 seats).

With the 2008 model year, the Dakota received a facelift, which was previously presented at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Besides some minor changes to the front end and the interior of the facilities offer had been revised. Furthermore, you had the permissible trailer load increased, whereby the Dakota in this regard now had the "highest towing capacity in its class ." The 4.7 -liter V8 engine was also revised and now made ​​225 kW (306 hp).

The Dakota was built at Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan.