New Dodge Durango Heat at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Dodge has lit up its new Durango Heat at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Outside, the Durango Heat wears the same front fascia, side skirts and monochrome treatment as the more powerful crossover, and it even comes packing the same low-slung suspension and 20-inch wheels. Dodge has ditched the third row to save a few pounds to increase both performance and fuel economy.

The new Dodge Durango is a really sharp-looking SUV. Yeah, it’s a family hauler; but it’s a stuff-hauler/stuff-tow-er/stuff-carrier the likes of which have never been seen. The 2011 Durango wraps the SUV up in a leaner, meaner-looking package. Ralph Gilles, Dodge’s president and CEO, was actually talking about the Charger when he mentioned subtle “Coke bottle” curves in the product line, but I saw those same curves in the Durango. Bikes? Yep. Skis? Yep. Trailer? Yep. Great hair? Yep.

Stay tuned for a MotherProof.com test drive to find out--The Durango Heats gets the 295-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a lower price tag--Dodge describes the Durango Heat as a "new affordable performance package."

It will be difficult to tell the Durango Heat and the Durango R/T apart. Dodge said the Heat also gets aggressive suspension tuning, performance steering, 20-inch wheels with all-season performance tires and a premium audio system with 10 speakers.