Friday, April 21, 2000 - North Shore News ~ 23

From previous pane

abo quieter and smoother
than the previous unit.

Another new feature for
the 2000 model year is a
four-speed automatic trans-
mission with a dual-ratio sec-
ond gear. The dual second
gear ratio improves launch
and passing performance
over a broader speed range.
The four-speed automatic
transmission also features dri-
ver-adaptive shifting software
which fine-tunes the shift
pattern to the driver.

Surprisingly comfortabie

My test vehicle was a
fully-equipped Dakota Quad
Cab SLY with the new 4.7-
litre V8 engine, full-time
four-wheel-drive, automatic
transmission, premium
stereo, and full pawer conve-
niences. The Quad Cab is
definitely a sharp-looking
truck, borrowing styling ele-
ments from the bigger Ram
pickup which it also shares
with the Durango SUV. This
styling theme, though radical
when introduced in 1994,
has held up very well over
the years.

Step-up height into the
Dakota is high (584 mm/23
in.), but once in, the cabin is
very comfortable and well
laid-out. The driver’s posi-
tion is quite high and out-
ward visibility is excellent.
Instrument visibility and
access to controls is
ergonomically correct, and
it’s easy to find a comfortable
driving position. Rear passen-
gers have adequate legroom
and generous headroom,
much more than in the
Dakota Club Cab.

I was impressed by the
Quad Cab’s quiet cabin and
comfortable highway ride —-
the Quad Cab doesn’t ride as

_ harshly as some pickups, and

the roomy cabin gives you
the impression that you're
riding in an SUV. For off-
road driving, the Quad Cab’s
high 213 mm (8.4 in.)
ground clearance provides
plenty of clearance for off-
road driving.

The 4.7-litrre SOHC V8
engine is not quite as
torquey as the 5. 9-litre OHV
V8 engine, but it is sportier
with a higher top end, giving

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Dual ratio gearing

improves per

offer outside door handles and roll-down or optional power windows.

the Quad Cab a more
dynamic driving appeal. Ata
steady 100 km/h, the 4.7-
litre V8 turns over just 2,200
Lp.m., so it’s very quiet on
the highway. The recently
upgraded four-speed auto-
matic transmission is seam-
less, with shifts that are
responsive. without being
jerky, and very quiet.

The full-time four-wheel-
drive system does its job
without any interaction from
the driver, but if you want to
put the lever into 4WD High
for a 50/50 front to rear
torque split, you can. There’s
also a handy Low gear for
really steep inclines.

The Quad Cab’s turning
diameter of 12.5 metres (41
ft.) is not bad by truck stan-

2600 4 Eg Vitara

tease
on

es No Limit 39 cdi
up to 24 months
» MS.RP. $21,690.

dards, but still a bit high for
city driving.

The great thing about the
Quad Cab is its versatili
It’s roomy and comfortable
enough to use as a family
vehicle, but it can also be
used for hauling heavy,
“dirty” payloads, or towing a
trailer — maximum trailer
towing capacity is 2,177 kg
(4,800 Ib.).

The Dakota Quad Cab is
sort of like an SUV with a
cargo box tacked onto the
back. This will appeal to
truck buyers who want the
utility of'a pickup, but the
Jooks and comfort of a mid-
sized SUV.

Prices and trim levels
Four-by-two Dakota

Quad Cab models start at
$23,800 and 4X4 models
start at $27,540. Two trim
levels are offered, Sport and
SLT. Standard features on
Sport models include the

3. 9: litre V6 engine and man-
ual transmission, part-time
4WD, AM/FM /cassette
stereo, dual airbags, rear
anti- -lock brakes, power steer-
ing, split front bench seat
and 60/46 split rear flip-up
bench seat, intermittent
wipers, large outside manual-
ly adjustable mirrors,
215/75R.15 inch all-season
tires and five-speke alloy
wheels,

SLT models add standard
air conditioning, cruise con-
trol, tilt steering wheel, 12-
volt power outlet, and a

Drive Select 4x4 © 2,0 litra twin-cam engine @ 4-speaker AM/FM stereo cassette .
24-hour roadside assistance © rugged ladder-box frame © power steering ® tilt steering
cliy: 10.4 L/se0 km (ay mpg) ° highway: 851/100 kr Gs mpg)

?( North Van Suzuki
‘| 983-2088

|

NEWS photos Biko Waketiaid
THE Dakota Quad Cab’s large rear-hinged doors open almest 90 degrees and

openread

P2

formance

THE 4.7-litre single overhead cam V8 engine puts cut
235 horsepower and 295 ft.-tb. of torque at 3,200 r.p.m.

Convenience option package.
The many options avail-
able on this truck can really
boost the price. Major
options include full-time
four-wheel-drive, premium
stereo with CD, four wheel
anti-lock brakes, bucket
seats, power driver’s seat,
power door locks and win-
dows, remote keyless entry,
fog lanips, power heated mir-

NORTH SHORE’S
HIGHEST VCLUME

ALL MAK:

rors, two-tone exterior paint,
larger tires, skid plates, and
limited slip differential.

My test truck, which was
equipped with just about

every optional feature, came

to $38,840 - or more ‘than
ten thousand dollars above
the base price of the Quad
Cab 4X4.

The Dakota Quad Cab is
built in Warren, Michigan.

for Forsign &
Domestic Cars, 4X4's,
SUV's 2 Light Trucks

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