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There is something rather appropriate about the use of the name Durango for a sport-utility vehicle.

It evokes an image of the wide-open spaces of the Southwest, rawhide living, the breath of freedom where every man and every women is their own person.

It is the image that Dodge is portraying in product form with its all-new 1998 Dodge Durango SUV. It is a vehicle designed to make tracks in an area of a market where there are no footprints.

Dodge is projecting that its new, compact sport ute will achieve this by offering more power, room and capability than its competitors.

There are features like a king-sized V-8 engine, unique designs for increased interior room, best-in-class payload and towing, and comfort and convenience generally associated with a car.

Indianapolis-area Dodge dealers say they expect to get their first models, from the factory in Newark, Del., in about three weeks.

The Durango is built on a moderately long (115.9 inches) wheelbase with an overall length of 193.2 inches for flexibility of operation.

Packed into those dimensions is seating for up to eight people in an optional 3/3/2 arrangement, and 88 feet of cargo space when the back seats are folded.

Under the hood of the Durango, there is something for everybody.

The base engine is a 3.9-liter Magnum V-6. That’s followed by a more muscular 5.2-liter V-8. King-of-the-hill is a mighty 5.9-liter Magnum V-8.

“I believe most buyers are going to want the V-8,” said Brad Marvel, general sales manager for Palmer Dodge West. “There is so much more you can do with it, and there is only $590 difference between the V-6 and the V-8.”

The Durango MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) ranges from $25,800 for the V-6 to $28,900 for the 5.9-liter engine. Add to that $525 for freight.

The V-6, with its 175-horsepower and 225 foot-pounds of torque, obviously is designed for lighter loads, but not lightweight loads.

When equipped with a 3.92-to-l gear ratio rather than the standard 3.55, towing capacity is 4,400 pounds vs. 3,200 pounds with the 3.55 gear.

If usage calls for a more power, the 5.2-liter V-8 with its 230-horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque is recommended. With this engine and a 3.92 ratio, towing capabilities rise to 5,600 pounds, 1,300 pounds more than when standard gearing is utilized.

The heavy hauler is the 5.9-liter engine. This big bore V-8 puts out 250-horsepower and an impressive 335 foot-pounds of torque, pulling power that is sufficient with the 3.92 gear to move 7,000 pounds.

If you are going to go the 5.9 route, I’d say the lower gear is the better selection over the standard 3.55 ratio, as it provides 1,400 more pounds of towing capability.

It also provides for a nimble, compact sport ute that works like a truck – a combination that Dodge says is missing from today’s market.

The SUV is a four-wheel drive that has all three engines mated only to a series of four-speed automatic transmissions.

As the power goes up, so does the torque capability of the transmission. As a consequence, the V-6 comes with a 42 RE series automatic, the 5.2-liter V-8 with Dodge’s 44 RE, and the 5.9 with a 46 RE four-speed.

Vehicle curb weight also is correspondingly raised, with the 3.9’s curb weight rated at 4,568 pounds, 4,689 for the 5.2, and 4,736 pounds for the 5.9-liter model.

As a vehicle that bridges the gap between compact and a full-sized SUV, the Durango is designed to drive and ride like a car, yet offer more in the way of space and storage amenities.

A clever design facet has the roof raised over the second and third row of seats. This was done to provide increased headroom clearance for second and third row seating that is raised “theater” style for better visibility over the front row seating.

A bonus is that the stepped roof allows easier rear entrance and exit.

There are bucket seats offered for front seating. The optional three abreast seating is a 40-20-40 combination, with the outboard seats in the second row folding forward for easier access to the rear.

The 1998 Durango has been styled and built to carry on the tradition of Dodge trucks with the viability of a car. Dodge believes it is a distinct vehicle that uniquely addresses unmet needs in the marketplace.