The Durango’s three rows are whipped to 60 by a big Hemi V8 in just 4.4 seconds.
It was not hard to see that a hot Dodge Durango was in the works. Dodge had already shown off a Durango Shaker prototype and spy photographers had taken numerous photos of the Durango RT prototype throughout its development. The model will make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show before being put on sale by the year’s end as America’s fastest three-row vehicle.
This badge indicates that the Durango is equipped with the same 6.4-liter Hemi engine as other Dodge SRT models. It produces 475 horsepower and 470 pound feet of torque. Standard all-wheel drive and the eight-speed automatic transmission allow for a 0-to-60 time of 4.4 seconds, and quarter-mile times of 12.9 seconds. This is faster than the Porsche Cayenne GTS (which costs $97,200), for one point.
Dodge is still certifying Durango SRT’s top speed and will announce it later.
Functional air intakes are located in the hood and front fascia. A cold-air inlet is located above the foglight. Pete Jacobsen, vehicle development manager, reduces intake air intake temperatures by 18. He says big exhausts (2.75 inch in diameter) sound very much like the 392 Charger.
As standard features, adaptive suspension is available. 20×10 wheels are wrapped in all-season rubber or Pirelli P Zeros as an alternative. The SRT’s front springs are stiffer than the Durango regular, and 15 percent stiffer than the rear. Jacobsen states that when you add the 52:48 front-rear weight ratio, it makes for a very neutral-handling car. You can achieve some throttle-lift oversteer.”
These big wheels are required, in part to fit huge brakes. The Durango SRT weighs in at a not-insignificant 5,510 lbs. They have six-piston brakes that grab 15.0-inch wheels. In the back, there are four-piston brakes and 13.8-inch wheels.
Full-time all-wheel drive systems have different torque distributions depending upon which one of seven driving modes is chosen. It’s split 40/60 front/rear in Street mode. Sport increases the stiffness and reduces stability-control parameters. It also shifts the torque bias to 35/65. Track has 70 percent torque going to the rear wheels, and is the most flexible stability-control program. For better winter and off-road traction, there’s also a 50/50 lock mode.
Tim Kuniskis, FCA North America’s head of passenger car brands, said that the Durango SRT was not the fastest three-row vehicle. “We had to make it the most capable.” The SRT has a hidden tow hitch between the dual exhausts and can tow 8,600 lbs – more than the Durango’s maximum 7,400. This rating is not theoretical. Dodge also certified it to pass the tough SAE J2807 towing test. Jacobsen states, “We passed them with flying colors.”
Durango SRT also has active noise cancellation. This is activated when the V8 runs on only four cylinders and full-time on tow mode, to make towing trailers less strenuous.
SRT Pages has been updated to include more information about vehicle performance. You can choose from the different drive modes and set features such as launch control (with a cluster-style drag strip Christmas tree graphic) or shift lights.
The 20-inch wheels have a “Black Noise” finish and a new body kit. Other visual enhancements include big dual exhaust tips, red-painted Brembo brake discs, rocker panels and various 392 badges. Three rows of performance bucket seats are found inside, as well as a dashboard with a hand-stitched dashboard and headliner. There is also a 180-mph speedometer and a T-handle shifter in place of the traditional rotary, large shift paddles, real carbon fiber trim, and a big shift paddle. The SRT badge at the steering wheel glows dimly at night. Dodge designers call it the “Lit DAB” badge, a nickname that will be amusing to teenagers.
The Durango SRT is a worthy successor to other SRT models that were powered by the 6.4-liter Hemi-V8’s 392-cubic inch engine. Kuniskis claims that his only regret is that the model was not released sooner. “This is the one I wanted to launch,” he said.