Automotive

475-hp Dodge Durango SRT is a muscle car in SUV clothing

475-hp Dodge Durango SRT is a muscle car in SUV clothing
The all-new Dodge Durango SRT has a distinctive SRT face
The all-new Dodge Durango SRT has a distinctive SRT face
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The 2018 Dodge Durango gets the SRT treatment
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The 2018 Dodge Durango gets the SRT treatment
The all-new Dodge Durango SRT has a distinctive SRT face
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The all-new Dodge Durango SRT has a distinctive SRT face
The exterior package includes a wide body kit, SRT hood and revised front-end
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The exterior package includes a wide body kit, SRT hood and revised front-end
The 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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The 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
The Durango SRT has a new exhaust system with dual tips
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The Durango SRT has a new exhaust system with dual tips
Dodge will debut the Durango SRT at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show this week
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Dodge will debut the Durango SRT at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show this week
The first Durango to get the SRT treatment
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The first Durango to get the SRT treatment
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
The Durango SRT is powered by a 475-hp 6.4-liter HEMI V8
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The Durango SRT is powered by a 475-hp 6.4-liter HEMI V8
With all its upgrades, the Durango SRT has much-improved sprinting capabilities and 0-60 mph comes in just 4.4 seconds
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With all its upgrades, the Durango SRT has much-improved sprinting capabilities and 0-60 mph comes in just 4.4 seconds
Brembo calipers bring the Durango SRT to a sure, steady stop
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Brembo calipers bring the Durango SRT to a sure, steady stop
Dodge bills the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT as the fastest, most powerful three-row SUV out there
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Dodge bills the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT as the fastest, most powerful three-row SUV out there
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
The SRT mesh grille makes the new Durango's identity known from the start
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The SRT mesh grille makes the new Durango's identity known from the start
The SRT hood helps in cooling the engine, increasing performance
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The SRT hood helps in cooling the engine, increasing performance
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
The "392" badges reference the 392-cu in engine
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The "392" badges reference the 392-cu in engine
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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2018 Dodge Durango SRT
The Durango SRT comes standard with 20-in five-spoke wheels, and 20-in split five-spoke forged aluminum wheels are available optionally
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The Durango SRT comes standard with 20-in five-spoke wheels, and 20-in split five-spoke forged aluminum wheels are available optionally
The Durango SRT has 15-in rotors up front, 13.8-in rotors in back
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The Durango SRT has 15-in rotors up front, 13.8-in rotors in back
A look at the beating heart of the Durango SRT
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A look at the beating heart of the Durango SRT
The 6.4L V8 puts out 470 lb-ft of torque
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The 6.4L V8 puts out 470 lb-ft of torque
Dodge Durango SRT V8 engine
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Dodge Durango SRT V8 engine
The Durango SRT includes an SRT performance steering wheel
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The Durango SRT includes an SRT performance steering wheel
An 8.4-in touchscreen-based Uconnect infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
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An 8.4-in touchscreen-based Uconnect infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The front seats are heated, ventilated and SRT-badged
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The front seats are heated, ventilated and SRT-badged
Inside the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
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Inside the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
The second-row captain's chairs are also heated and badged
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The second-row captain's chairs are also heated and badged
The instrument panel includes a 180-mph speedometer
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The instrument panel includes a 180-mph speedometer
The Uconnect system also includes SRT Performance Pages
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The Uconnect system also includes SRT Performance Pages
Dodge offers carbon fiber trim on the doors and instrument panel
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Dodge offers carbon fiber trim on the doors and instrument panel
View gallery - 34 images

Once wild animals full of wanderlust, SUVs have long been domesticated into quiet, loyal family haulers used for bringing home groceries and shuttling sports and spectator gear to the field. Dodge believes that there's still some feral nature left in these still-formidable beasts and it's drawing it out in a big way with the all-new Durango SRT. Dubbed the "Dodge Charger of the full-size SUV segment," the new Durango packs power and performance previously unimaginable for a factory Durango.

We'll have to wait until the New York Auto Show in April to see the all-new Challenger SRT Demon, the "ultimate performance halo" Dodge has been teasing for weeks in a series of videos. But Dodge won't be limping into this week's Chicago Auto Show without an exciting muscle car debut. Only this muscle car is an SUV, a three-row SUV Dodge calls the fastest, most powerful and most capable out there.

The first Durango SRT ever becomes the larger brother of the ever-exhilarating Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. Like the Jeep, it's powered by a 6.4-liter HEMI V8. That engine makes 475 hp at 6,000 rpm and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque at 4,300 rpm.

With help from a launch control system, specially calibrated TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic transmission and performance-tuned AWD system, the SRT V8 inspires some brilliant performance, starting with a 0 to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in just 4.4 seconds and 12.9-second quarter-mile.

In case you momentarily forgot while looking at those times, that's a bulky, 200-in-long (5.1-m-long) Dodge Durango we're talking about.

Dodge bills the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT as the fastest, most powerful three-row SUV out there
Dodge bills the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT as the fastest, most powerful three-row SUV out there

To assist with cornering at high speeds, Dodge and SRT have stiffened up the front and rear springs and rear sway bar. Bilstein adaptive damping is integrated into the short- and long-arm independent front suspension and the specially tuned multi-link system at the rear.

Dodge touts benchmark braking, saying the combination of Brembo high-performance six-piston front/four-piston rear calipers and vented rotors will bring the Pirelli 295/45ZR20 Scorpion Verde all-season tires and 20-in "Goliath" five-spoke wheels to a crisp stop from 60 mph (96.5 km/h) within an estimated 115 ft (35 m).

Of course, not every drive in a full-size SUV is going to be a full-speed hurl, and Dodge has worked to ensure a ride balanced enough for everyday life. The SRT seven-mode drive system lets the driver quickly tweak settings like shift points, front/rear torque splits and active damping. Among those seven modes are a relaxed Auto setting for basic, everyday driving, an aggressive Track setting for the highest levels of performance on smooth, dry surfaces, a traction-enhancing Snow setting, a fuel economy-boosting Eco setting, and a Tow setting for best putting the Durango's 8,600-lb (3,900-kg) towing capabilities to work.

The SRT mesh grille makes the new Durango's identity known from the start
The SRT mesh grille makes the new Durango's identity known from the start

As far as styling, the Durango SRT makes its first impression with a signature face that includes an SRT-finished mesh grille, and a new front fascia and lower valance built around the cold-air duct and LED fog lamps. The SRT hood helps improve cooling with built-in venting.

Moving back from the front-end, flared arches and rocker panels give the Durango SRT a strong, broad stance, while SRT, "392" (for the cubic-inch size of the V8) and performance AWD badging can be found around the exterior. The dual nickel chrome-tipped exhaust pipes release the deep, Charger SRT-inspired rumble of the new exhaust system.

Inside, the SRT comes with Nappa leather, suede and silver-stitched SRT logos standard. The driver sits in one of two heated and ventilated front seats and takes control with the flat-bottomed SRT performance steering wheel and paddle shifters. A set of premium velour bound SRT floor mats comes standard.

The Durango SRT includes an SRT performance steering wheel
The Durango SRT includes an SRT performance steering wheel

Over in the center console, the 8.4-in touchscreen Uconnect system serves up infotainment, including navigation, SRT Performance Pages, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A standard 506-watt, nine-speaker BeatsAudio system with subwoofer belts out the soundtrack.

Interior options include a carbon fiber instrument panel and door bezels, Demonic Red Laguna leather, and Dynamica suede covering the headliner and A-pillars.

The Durango SRT will start arriving in dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year. It'll be available in 11 colors and with a variety of options, including Uconnect Access with 9-1-1 calling and roadside assistance and driver assistance technologies, like adaptive cruise control with stop and forward collision warning with crash mitigation. Purchase will include a full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler, Arizona.

Source: Dodge

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6 comments
6 comments
Tommo
It'd be nice to see how this competes with a Range Rover Sport SRV
Island Architect
The Dodge Magnum was a beauty. And killing it left a void. This appears to be a very worthy successor, far more powerful with much more usable room. Call it a shooting brake? Maybe not but it does reek of don't you dare get near me!
Gizmowiz
No reason it couldn't have 1050 hp and 1100 ft lbs torque if they switched to all electric drivetrain like the Tesla P120D (rumored).
Marco Corona
I think it's hot in many respects. Might even consider purchasing one as the Cherokee SRT has no leg room for backseat adult passengers.
ChillyCat
FIAT !!!
Worst ownership ratings of any domestic manufacturer in the US.
Doug Doyle
It still looks like an uprated minivan. The current generation Durango has all the proportions of a soccer mom mobile. The first gen has the don't mess with me attitude of the Dakota. What happened to designs that make statements? What happened to designs that were about style and not about fuel economy?