Dodge continues to parade its power buffet before the July 4 weekend, announcing the more aggressive versions of its coupe, sedan, and SUV. While the Dodge Durango 2021 line is the last one we’ll cover, we wouldn’t consider it the least important, especially when it comes to sales. Most transactions will be done through the standard Durango model, which receives a number of exterior enhancements and radical interior improvements.
But it would not have been correct for FCA to leave us with a better SUV after showing us what could be done with the Challenger and Charger. So he packed the Hellcat’s 6.2-liter V8 inside the Durango before calling it a day, satisfied that he had finally done enough for enthusiasts before emissions regulations ruined their lives forever.
Despite its author’s personal taste for lower driving heights, the Durango SRT Hellcat seems like a wise conclusion from Fiat Chrysler. The New Jersey Turnpike has introduced me three times to a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk that drives safely through traffic. Either New Jersey has a sick obsession with ridiculously powered utility vehicles, or there is a market for this type of car. Sadly, Dodge tells us it’s only available for the 2021 model year, after which it will no longer meet emissions for the segment.
Ah, progress.
But what do you really get while it is presumably good? Quite a lot, actually. The Durango Hellcat makes the Ford Edge ST look like a baby’s toy in comparison. Its supercharged V8 generates 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque and sends it to all four corners of the vehicle through an 8-speed Torqueflite 8HP95 automatic (just like the Jeep’s Trackhawk).
That promises an exciting 0-60 time of just 3.5 seconds and quarter-mile runs of around 11.5 seconds. Speed hunters can be found gravitating towards the Charger Redeye we discussed earlier, but anyone with more than a couple of kids will welcome Durango’s superior interior volume and practicality. The SUV is still going at 180 mph and dusting almost anything else that comes at you at a stoplight.
It will be a competitor even if it carries cargo, as it has a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, although we can’t begin to imagine how that will affect fuel economy.
However, the Durango have He made some sacrifices in the name of acting. For one thing, Dodge rejected fog lights in favor of two cold air intakes. The passenger side draws air directly into the intake manifold, while the driver’s side pushes it for an improved oil cooler. Speaking of airflow, the SRT Hellcat also features the largest Dodge x-pipe it can muster, claiming it gives the model a really different sound.
Aerodynamics has also received a lot of attention. SRT installed the Hellcat SUV with a functional chin spoiler, new front and rear fascias, and a rear spoiler that generates 140 pounds of downforce at top speed. While Dodge admits it was added to help with stability, the engineers confessed that it was primarily there to complete the aesthetic. They also recommend not trying to reach 180 mph on public roads.
Brakes and tires carry over from the 475-hp SRT Durango, though customers can opt for a 20-inch wheelset and stickier wheels as part of the black package, darkening trim pieces for that murdered look. Although even without The Appearance Package is a more sinister looking car. Dodge says all the exterior changes were made to improve performance or make it more like the Charger.
It also promises a more comfortable experience when you want it. Thanks to the tuned internal rebound springs, along with a tailored upper top bracket, Dodge says the dynamic adjustment range has been increased. That means putting the car in comfort mode should Be more comfortable. Meanwhile, Dodge has added stiffness and reduced body roll in follow-up mode, resulting in a more responsive turn with 2.5% less edge understeer.
The entire Durango line adopts an interior enhanced with Uconnect 5 and an optional 10.1-inch infotainment display. We have very little to say about Uconnect lately (and we’ve reviewed version 5 in the past). We mainly like it because it is one of the most intuitive interfaces in the industry and forgets ingenious displays for superior functionality and customization. The interior also has a more diver-focused overall orientation, and the manufacturer again takes cues from the Charger / Challenger.
Durango Hellcat models will also offer unique red accents, special SRT accents, and standard heated / vented seats with leather and Alcantara upholstery. But there are even more luxurious / flashy reds available if you’re not a fan of understated interiors.
As with the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye, Dodge will begin taking orders from the Durango SRT Hellcat in the fall. Showrooms should start seeing you in early 2021. If you want one, you better act early. As previously mentioned, the FCA said it can only build these babies for a year before they are technically illegal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGvFtCiUt3Q
[Images: FCA]