Bruce Newton•17 Jan 2013
NEWS
DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Durango and RAM Aussie chance
Right-hand drive engineering study underway for full-size SUV and pick-upThe full-size, three-row Dodge Durango SUV could be on-sale in Australia within two years at a starting price tens of thousands of dollars below the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol if a newly commissioned right-hand drive conversion feasibility study gives it the green light.
And it could be joined in Australia by the legendary RAM truck range in the same time frame if factory right-hand drive gets the go ahead.
Studies of RHD for Durango and RAM were commissioned by Fiat Chrysler Group Australia managing director Clyde Campbell while in Detroit for the annual auto show this week.
Answers on the feasibility of both vehicles should come within three months and the actual engineering would take between 12 and 18 months.
“We had let Durango slip off the radar and it was really something that only got activated again after we sat in the car at the show and said ‘well gee hang on’, let’s speak to the engineers and found the platform that car is built on is compatible for right-hand drive,” Mr Campbell explained to motoring.com.au.
“We have asked them to do an engineering scope as to has there been any engineering modifications in terms of engine technology that would prohibit putting the steering box on the other side. Certainly it would require a whole new interior to be generated.”
Mr Campbell said the appeal of the Durango lay in its massive interior which fits adults in all three rows: “We don’t have one of those other than the Voyager so I think we do lose some sales by not having a third row option.
“I think there is a potential for significant volume, it is not going to be huge volume, there is only going to be a certain market for a car that size in Australia. But I do wonder whether the relative smallness of the segment in Australia is because the competitors are very, very highly priced.”
Translated that means Mr Campbell is considering doing with Durango what he did with Jeep Grand Cherokee pricing, which was slashed with immediate sales success. The current WD Durango, which shares its Unibody platform with the WK Grand Cherokee, would be in the same ballpark, probably starting under $50,000. LandCruiser wagon pricing starts well beyond $60,000.
On-sale only since 2011, the current Durango is offered with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and 5.7-litre V8 Hemi petrol engines mated to automatic transmissions. The lack of a diesel engine is an obvious weakness in Australia, while the three row Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which is due to go on-sale in 2015, might also scupper the plans.
One issue that no longer applies is the future of the Dodge brand in Australia. The plan had been to kill it off, but FCGA has had a complete change of mind says Mr Campbell.
“We are completely open-minded. If there is other Dodge product we can have then it starts to make sense again.”
Enquiries about the RAM showed strong promise, Mr Campbell said: “Talking to the chief engineer he is saying once you have done the engineering work you should be able to have almost any platform within the RAM family: 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500, for almost the one investment.
“You are talking about altering some chassis stuff and some engine placement stuff but ultimately there are only two or three drivelines we are talking about and if you are going to do one you would do them all and have a crack at it.”
If it gets here the RAM would be pitched at heavy-duty haulers and towers and the mining industry. Pricing would probably start around $100,000. The most likely drivetrain would be the 6.7-litre Cummins turbo-diesel with 1100Nm. The Pentastar and Hemi petrols are also available.
If it makes it to Australia, the RAM would be the first full-size North American truck to go on-sale ex-factory here since Ford brought in the legendary F Series last decade.
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Written byBruce Newton
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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