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2005 Dodge Dakota Preview

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A Bold New Look for Midsize Pickup Best-Seller

Way back on November 17th I took part in a small gathering of automotive media types at Detroits Cobo Hall, to witness the unveiling of a whole range of new Chrysler Group products. Among the sedans, wagons and convertibles was a new pickup truck, nothing less than the 2005 Dakota.

I took my time walking around scribbling down notes, as cameras were not allowed, and then attempting to describe its completely revised sheetmetal in a news story that followed (Automotive News Archives: November 20, 2003 - Chrysler Group Previews New Models in Detroit). In the story I described the truck as "a chiseled version of the new Durango SUV that was also on hand. The Dakota looks

Joe Eberhardt, DaimlerChrysler executive vice president, Global Sales & Marketing, unveils the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota at the Chicago auto show on February 4th. Its the largest and most powerful truck in its segment. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

No such description is necessary now, as Chrysler has released photos of its 4WD Quad Cab

"We have refined the pickup styling elements without losing any of the boldness and power that defines the Dodge Ram and new Dodge Durango," stated Trevor Creed. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

"With the new Dodge Dakota, we have created a new design language that instantly identifies the Dakota as a new Dodge pickup." Creed continued, "We have refined the pickup styling elements without losing any of the boldness and power that

The 2005 truck gets an all-new frame with improvements in "stiffness, strength and durability," according to Dodge. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

Dakota fans should be pleased that Dodge has continued with its tough-as-a-rig exterior styling, fitting being that the trucks undercarriage is even more rugged than its predecessors. The 2005 truck gets an all-new frame with improvements in "stiffness, strength and durability," according to Dodge. It not only benefits hauling and towing capabilities,

"The new Dodge Dakota is a real truck, with full-size truck capability," commented Eric Ridenour. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

"The frame is critical on any truck and the new Dodge Dakota benefits from the hydroforming experience we have gained from the development of two all-new Dodge Ram trucks and the all-new Dodge Durango," commented Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President, Product Development, Chrysler Group. "The new Dodge Dakota is a real truck, with full-size truck capability and with more comfort and refinement than the previous generation Dakota."

The new Dakota should eclipse the outgoing models capabilities by a fair margin. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

The new Dakota gets the recently redesigned Durangos patented octagonal front rail tips, which help it to achieve better impact specs due to their tapered shape, the result of a hydroformed construction process. Popular Science magazine highlighted this feature in its "Best of Whats New" section. The steel frame is welded, joined by fully-boxed hydroformed and roll-formed frame rails.