Press Kit: 2014 Dodge Durango

New York City March 27, 2013 - The new 2014 Dodge Durango introduces state-of-the-art new technology to the full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment, including a customizable standard class-exclusive 7-inch digital instrument cluster, available 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Uconnect Access services and sophisticated new features designed to help keep drivers focused on the road.

The Dodge Durango also marks the debut this year of Uconnect Access Via Mobile, an extension of Chrysler Group’s suite of Uconnect Access services. Its easy-to-learn interface and easy-to-view 8.4-inch touchscreen allow customers to enjoy their personal Internet radio accounts and stream audio content into the new Dodge Durango utilizing their own mobile device data plans. The result: a truly personalized listening experience.

Uconnect Access Via Mobile seamlessly brings four popular Internet radio apps into the Durango. They are: Aha by Harman, iHeartRadio, Pandora and Slacker Radio. Like all Uconnect-brand features, it is designed to be easy to learn and easy to use.

With Pandora, for instance, customers can register their preferences by hitting the app’s familiar buttons – “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” – which are displayed on the available 8.4-inch touchscreen.

In addition, unique steering-wheel controls enable song skipping.

Award-winning Uconnect Access
The Durango’s available Uconnect Access Via Mobile represents a significant enhancement to Uconnect Access, a suite of services already celebrated as the industry benchmark for responsible in-vehicle connectivity. AOL Autos recently named Uconnect Access its Technology of the Year.

The system leverages Chrysler Group’s strategic partnership with Sprint, equipping the Dodge Durango with a built-in wireless connection to accommodate Emergency Services Simplified, a suite of services designed specifically to provide security and convenience.

Some competitive systems use built-in wireless capability to connect the driver with a concierge call center. Others alert emergency services personnel directly; but they do so through the driver’s mobile phone.

Uconnect Access uses embedded wireless technology to connect vehicle occupants directly with local emergency-service dispatchers – all with the push of the 9-1-1 button on the Dodge Durango’s rearview mirror.

Uconnect Access applies the same logic to roadside assistance. One push of the “ASSIST” button summons help directly from Chrysler Group’s roadside assistance provider, the Vehicle Customer Care Center or Uconnect Customer Care Center.

Further peace of mind comes from the available theft alarm notification, which uses a smartphone app to alert registered customers via SMS or e-mail whenever their vehicles’ security alarms are activated. Up to five people can be notified.

Additional Uconnect Access security features include the ability to remotely sound the Dodge Durango’s horn and flash its lights – measures enabled by the Uconnect Access smartphone app that could serve as potential crime deterrents or simply to locate the vehicle in a crowded parking lot. For even more convenience, remote door-locking and unlocking and remote start can be performed with the Uconnect mobile app.

With their hands on the wheel, Dodge Durango customers can use Uconnect Access to tap the power of the Cloud. When a compatible Bluetooth cell phone is paired, Uconnect Access will:

• announce receipt of incoming texts
• identify the senders
• then “read” the messages aloud

To respond or compose any new text, simply dictate a message of 140 characters or less. The Cloud-based voice-recognition system converts spoken words to text and “reads” it back for accuracy before sending. Verbatim. And it can all be done handsfree, without having to memorize any pre-approved messages.

Advanced on-board voice-recognition simplifies the often problematic process of entering navigation-system destinations while keeping both hands on the wheel. In the new 2014 Dodge Durango, the available system will accept continuous, single-sentence instructions, such as: “Navigate to Ross Boulevard, Dodge City, Kansas.”

On-road travel is made easier by the premium’s navigation new 3D maps with graphic representations of well-known cities and landmarks, as well as street signs.

Unsure of your destination? Use voice commands to engage the new Uconnect Access connected search service and simply say what you are looking for.

Uconnect Access navigation marshals all of its capabilities – connected search, turn-by-turn prompts and SiriusXM Traffic’s dynamic route guidance – to get you to your destination stress-free. It will even store the destination’s phone number so you can call handsfree.

Once you reach your destination you can also transform the Dodge Durango into an on-demand WiFi hotspot.

Sophisticated looks, sophisticated features
Immediately noticeable upon entering the new 2014 Dodge Durango are its new center-stack touchscreens, available in 5-inch or 8.4-inch configurations. Each accommodates audio, climate and phone operation. The latter also affords control of features ranging from navigation to heated seats. The large, high-resolution icons on the 8.4-inch touchscreen – the Uconnect brand’s signature – deliver intuitive customer interaction. But the system also incorporates mechanical controls for those who prefer the tactile approach. Such flexibility, a focus of critical acclaim, delivers inherent convenience.

Standard on all 2014 Dodge Durango models is a state-of-the-art instrument cluster featuring a multi-view 7-inch customizable thin-film transistor (TFT) full-color liquid-crystal display. First introduced on the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, this cluster can be personalized more than 100 different ways to show the most critical driving information – from tire pressure to turn-by-turn navigation – with clear, intuitive graphics. Navigation, audio, fuel-economy information and warning indicators all can be displayed at a glance, helping to keep the driver’s eyes and attention on the road.

Enabled by LED technology more commonly found in consumer electronics, the pixel illumination in TFT technology is more precisely controlled, which makes for “blacker” blacks and more vivid colors. Such advancement allows crisper graphics, which are critical to the kind of instant recognition drivers need to maintain proper focus on the task at hand: driving.

Front-seat occupants aren’t the only ones who benefit from high-tech displays. Second-row passengers can treat themselves to video entertainment via an available seatback Blu-ray video system. This new system will play standard DVDs as well as Blu-ray discs, and has inputs for high-definition media interface (HDMI) cables or RCAs for each 9-inch screen integrated into the front-seat backs. Wireless headphones are included as is a wireless remote.

For the ultimate audio experience, there is an available 10 speaker Alpine audio system featuring:

• 1 – Alpine 12-channel amp
• 1 – 3.5-inch instrument panel speaker
• 2 – 1-inch mirror flag tweeter
• 2 – 6x9-inch front door speakers
• 2 – 6.5-inch rear door speakers
• 2 – 2.5-inch D-pillar speakers
• 1 – 8-inch dual voice coil subwoofer