The 1997 Dodge Dakota truck matched the drag of a Porsche and beat a Lamborghini Countach
Published on Aug 09, 2025 at 6:23 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Aug 06, 2025 at 8:58 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Aerodynamic testing footage of the 1997 Dodge Dakota pickup truck has shown it can match the drag of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS and is even slicker than a Lamborghini Countach.
Many of us probably haven’t thought about how aerodynamic a second-generation Dodge Dakota is, nor whether it is as aerodynamic as a supercar or sports car.
Yet the guys at Premier Aerodynamics ran a test to see how aerodynamic the truck is, and it is much more so than you would think.
The fact that it is slipperier in a straight line than the Countach is the icing on the cake.
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How aerodynamic is the 1997 Dodge Dakota?
The team behind the test replicated a 65 mph air environment and tested the truck from multiple angles.
With the front of the Dakota being quite round, its aerodynamics are on par with those of lots of modern cars.
A bonus is that it has better aerodynamic properties than some supercars, like the Countach.
Yet it even produces an impressive amount of downforce just below the front bumper.
The flat roof of the truck also allows for consistent airflow at speed, although it’s less slippery at the rear.
However, adding a tonneau cover to the Dakota would help with its aerodynamic efficiency.
It is remarkable just how aerodynamic the truck is, as pickups in general are usually large, unaerodynamic slabs.
More aerodynamic than a Lamborghini Countach
The tests revealed that the 1997 Dodge Dakota has a drag coefficient of 0.44.
That is the same as a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, like Dua Lipa’s custom Rennstall, at 180mph, with one window down.
But it is slightly more aerodynamic than the Lamborghini Countach, like this 1981 model.
It is even more aerodynamic than the Jaguar D-Type.
That might sound wild, but the rounded front and the consistent flat roof have helped its cause.
The research from Premier Aerodynamics also reveals how you can modify the Dakota without compromising its aero efficiency.
They have even pieced together ways to improve it, and how different parts of the track affect its efficiency.
Incredibly, an Italian supercar is less aerodynamic than a Dodge pickup truck from the late 1990s.
That probably isn’t something you ever expected to read, but it’s true.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
