Dodge announced on August 1 the launch of the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota, the largest mid-size pickup in the market. With best-in-class torque, horsepower and towing, the new 2005 Dodge Dakota delivers full-size pickup styling, feel and power. It also offers the only V-8 in its class. “The 2005 Dodge Dakota gives mid-size truck buyers exactly what they want,” said Mike Donoughe, vice president, Body-on-Frame Product Team. “The Dakota delivers full-size pickup capability in a mid-size package, providing customers a pickup that gets the job done, while offering better fuel economy and maneuverability than a full-size pickup.” The 2005 Dakota has a stronger fully-boxed frame. New front and rear suspensions deliver improved ride refinement, yet still provide 7,150 lbs. towing capability and a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 11,700 lbs. Dakota is equipped with a powerful standard 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 rated at 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque. The 4.7-liter V-8 Magnum is rated at 230 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm, while the new 4.7-liter High Output Magnum V-8 offers 250-plus horsepower and 300-plus lb.-ft. of torque. Both V-8 engines are rated between three and four-percent more fuel efficient than the previous V-8 engines. New interiors improve comfort levels on both Dakota Club Cab and Dakota Quad Cab models, with more interior room (55.3 cu. ft. interior volume on Dakota Club Cab, 55.8 cu. ft. interior volume on Dakota Quad Cab) than any other mid-size pickup. The Dakota Quad Cab offers the most overall interior space in its class with available six-passenger seating. The 2005 Dakota also becomes the first mid-size pickup to offer heated cloth seats. The Club Cab is the standard cab offering on the Dakota. With forward-facing rear seats and standard rear-hinged access doors, the Dakota Club Cab’s individual rear seats provide seating for two adults in greater comfort than the previous three-passenger seat. For added versatility, folding rear seat cushions provide 30.0 cu. ft. of storage behind the front seats, an increase of 4.0 cu. ft. The Quad Cab provides rear seating for three adults. The driver’s seat track on both Quad Cabs and Club Cabs have 8.7 inches of travel to improve comfort. The Club Cab front passenger seat has 7.5 inches of travel. With rear seats folded, there is 37.1 cu. ft. of storage space behind the Quad Cab’s front seats, an increase of 7.2 cu. ft. The 2005 Dakota features a new advanced air bag system that includes dual-stage front air bags and an occupant-sensing system for the passenger-side front air bag. Other safety features available on the new Dakota include side curtain airbags, which cover both rows of seats on Club and Quad Cabs. Rear seat positions in the Dakota feature three-point shoulder belts, including a new center position on the Quad Cab. Designed to maintain optimal positioning in case of an impact, rear seats on the new Dakota Club Cab feature fixed outboard rear head restraints, mounted to the roof and cab back. The new Dakota Quad Cab also features larger coverage head restraints that are fixed to the top of the outboard rear seats. The new design was developed to maintain optimal positioning in case of an impact. The 2005 Dodge Dakota is built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Mich.