The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

WHEELS August 11, 2006 3 Dodge Durango: A passenger vehicle with power LORNE DRURY Special to The IFP Gas prices are rising and sales of SUVs are shrinking these days. That said, there is still a big market out there of people who require the capability of carrying eight passengers from time to time, or those who need the power to tow a large boat or camper trailer in the summer months. The Dodge Durango fits that bill and could be described as a `tweener' in that it sits somewhere in between the mid-size SUVs and the monsters like the Ford Expedition. The Durango offers the interior room and the towing and hauling capability of a full-size SUV, but with the handling and performance of a mid-size sport ute. While gas consumption will always be a problem for any vehicle of this size, the Durango for 2006 gets a boost from the addition of the 5.7L Hemi V8, which has the multi-displacement system (MDS) to provide up to a 20 per cent improvement in fuel economy. For those unaware of the MDS system, it de-activates four cylinders when they are not needed for acceleration, So, when you're cruising along the 401, your eightcylinder Hemi would be operating like a four-cylinder when under a light load. The switch happens in 40 milliseconds and is imperceptible. If you don't require the 335 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque provided by the Hemi, the base engine in the Durango is a 4.7-litre Magnum V8 with 230 hp. and 290 lb.-ft. of torque. DaimlerChrysler likes to talk about the interior roominess of the Durango and I can speak to this. During my week with the Durango we had guests from New York in town and we went downtown to a Blue Jays-Yankees game at the Rogers Centre and toured wine country in the Niagara Peninsula. While the third row seats didn't see any use, those of us up front (including one 6-foot-5 guy) and in the second row had room to spare. The Durango handled both city and highway driving with ease and speaks to the versatility the vehicle can offer. Downtown, parking it wasn't a chore as it sometimes is with full-size SUVs and on the highway, the ride is smooth and quiet. For those who tow a boat or trailer, the Durango has a towing capacity of 3,969 kg (8,750 lb.). Government fuel consumption ratings for the 2006 Durango 4X4 with the 4.7L Hemi are 16.5L/100 km city (17 mpg) and 11.2L/100 km highway (25 mpg). The 2006 Dodge Durango has just the right blend of size and power that will appeal to many buyers. The Multi-Displacement System on the 5.7L Hemi provides improved fuel economy of up to 20 per cent. The Durango has been around since 1998, but the current model is a derivative of the second generation, which debuted in 2004. It was new from the ground up and bigger in every way and for the first time offered seven-passenger seating. For 2006, a 60/40 split third-row seat is offered in all but the base SLT model, providing the capability of seating eight passengers. In reality, that third row bench is designed more with kids in mind than adults. So, if it's your turn to haul part of the team to that soccer or ball tournament, the Durango will do quite nicely, thank you. The 2006 Durango is offered with four trim levels: SLT, SLT Plus, Limited and Adventurer. My test vehicle was a Limited 4X4 in a beautiful Patriot Blue Pearl Coat finish, complete with Hemi engine, navigation system, rear seat video system and trailer towing package and other options that brought the price as tested to $57,665. That's a lot of money for any vehicle, but the Durango does offer a blend of size and power that many will find attractive. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and roll-sensing side-curtain air bags are now standard, while a power rear liftgate and remote start are new offerings for this year's model. Also standard is four-wheel anti-lock brakes. 2006 DODGE DURANGO 4X4 LIMITED AT A GLANCE BODY STYLE: 5-door sport utility vehicle DRIVE METHOD: front engine, allwheel drive ENGINE: 4.7L SOHC V8 with 235 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, also available 5.7L Hemi V8 with 335 hp and 370 lb.-ft. of torque FUEL ECONOMY: 5.7L Hemi 16.5L/100 km (17 mpg) city and 11.2L/100 km (25) highway. PRICE: Dodge Durango Limited $50,140 (as tested $57,655) WEB: www.daimlerchrysler.ca The No-Nonsense Jetta. The No-Nonsense Lease. 2006 Jetta. You expect German engineering to deliver a vehicle with a 150hp 5-cylinder engine, 170 lbs-ft of torque, 4 standard airbags and room for your friends. You don't expect to get it for $0 down payment** and $338** per month. But hey, we're not just enthusiasts, we're Georgetown Volkswagen. 2006 Jetta 2.9% lease APR* $338/month over 48 months** $0 down payment $0 security deposit 4-year/80,000 km new vehicle limited warranty Georgetown Volkswagen Service Georgetown Volkswagen Mountainview Rd. Winston Churchill 203 Guelph Street (Highway 7) Georgetown - 905.877.5285 www.georgetownvw.com Trafalgar Road Highway 7 N Steeles Ave. Highway 401 Ask about our new SIRIUS Satellite Radio Offer.§ Visit georgetownvw.com or call 1-866-877-5285 for more information. $500 rebate for recent college or university graduates. Certain conditions apply. *Lease rate is based on 2.9% interest. MSRP for 2006 Jetta 2.5L Sedan base model is $24,975. Freight of $695, PDI of $495, administration fee of $195, options, insurance, license, registration and applicable taxes are extra. **Lease offer applies to a 48-month lease for a new 2006 Jetta 2.5L Sedan, 4-door, 5-speed manual base model and includes freight of $695, PDI of $495, administration fee of $195 and PPSA of $58. $0 down payment, first monthly payment of $338 and $0 security deposit required at time of transaction. Insurance, license and applicable taxes extra. Lessee responsible for insurance. Monthly payments total $16,224. At lease end, lessee responsible for $0.12/km over 80,000 km, and damage and excessive wear. Requires Volkswagen Finance approval. Offer expires Aug. 31, 2006. Whichever comes first. Wear and tear items and adjustments are excluded after the first 12-months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first. §SIRIUS Satellite Radio Offer ends Sept. 30, 2006. Vehicle may not be exactly as shown. See Georgetown Volkswagen for full details.