Autoblog

When we first locked eyes on the 2008 Dodge Dakota at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, we were breathless. The reason for our inability to process oxygen had everything to do with the ungainly sheet metal that covered the latest iteration of Dodge's midsize truck offering. The new Dakota is boxy with an awkward, Pug-like front end, and the interior is Dodge-tastic.

Not all is wrong with the Dakota, however. It's the largest of the midsize pickups, has the only optional V8 in its class, and thus can out-tow and carry larger loads than its competition. We wanted to see for ourselves if the Ram Lite could overcome its visual shortcomings with affordability and clever packaging, so we took a blacked-out KITT look-a-like version for a week in the Autoblog Garage. Hit the jump to see how the Dakota fared.


All photos Copyright ©2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Click the Dakota MX Warrior for a high res gallery

Dodge teamed up motocross racer Scott Waraniak to create the Dakota MX Warrior for this year's SEMA show. Scott races KTM bikes and is studying at Detroit's College for Creative Studies. In addition to providing his bike for the back of the Dakota, Scott also did the graphic design adorning its bodywork. Dodge lead designer Mark Surel explained that the recent redesign of the Dakota was intended to separate it from the Ram. Dodge considers the Ram to be more of a work truck, while the Dakota is seen as a personal leisure vehicle.

You can listen to a chat with Mark Surel here, and Scott Waraniak here.


All live photos ©2007 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Despite "interesting" exterior designs and interiors that feel cheap, Chrysler products have scored many points for incorporating the most innovative interior features. Stow 'N Go seating, the MyGIG entertainment system, heated and cooled cupholders, flip down tailgate speakers... the list goes on. It's time to add one more to the list as the 2008 Dodge Dakota pickup gets a new storage box system called Crate 'N Go'. We're not talking high-tech stuff here, just a straightforward solution to securing cargo behind the truck's front seats. The Crate 'N Go is simply a collapsible plastic storage container that folds away neatly under the cushions of the rear seat.

To set it up, you need to lift open the 60/40-split rear seat cushions, remove a couple of sheets of plastic and then unfold the plastic crate and snap-lock them. It's so simple that it amazes us that it's taken this long for a company to figure it out and push it into production.

Product planners at the rejuvenated Chrysler plan to install Crate 'N Go and other similar features in more models. According to one product planner, the system is so easy to install on multiple models because all they need is 1.5 inches of space under a seat.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Although Dodge made a few changes to the midsize Dakota pickup for 2007, it looks like bigger changes are in store for '08. With spy shots by Brenda Priddy in hand, Edmund's Straighline is speculating that the recently updated 3.7L V-6 will be replaced by Chrysler's 4.0L unit and that the existing 4.7L V-8s will simply get a few extra ponies. Besides the engine changes, this freshened Dakota features a more rounded and chrome-laden grille, new headlamps and relocated badge. Even more importantly, however, the new Dakota will see some much-needed changes on the inside as well. For a bigger version of our "after" picture, follow the Read link.


[Source: Edmund's Straightline]