As the world is waiting for the Dodge Challenger Demon, the American manufacturer has answered the prayer of petrolheads with a family of more than four. In comes the Durango SRT packing three seat-rows and a fire breathing 392-cubic-inch (6.2-litre) Hemi under the bulging hood. The monstrous V8 produces 475bhp of power and a colossal 637Nm of max torque.
That’s all the numbers, but it’s more than just ‘sticking a big engine in an SUV’ gimmick. Dodge says the Durango SRT is a proper performance car, calling it the “Dodge Charger of the full-size SUV Segment". Even after weighing 2.5tonne, the six-seater will do a standing quarter in 12.9seconds, can sprint to 100kmph is under 4.4seconds and haul a hefty 3,628kg. What supercar can boast of anything like that?
Beyond the impressive numbers there are pretty cool performance upgrades as well. To start with, there are functional cold-air duct and heat extractors upfront. The standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmissions directs the madness to all four wheels. There are seven driving modes – auto, sport, track, snow, tow, valet and eco, to alter the way the behemoth behaves. Active suspension comes as standard, with stiffer springs to take those high speed cornering. Braking responsibilities are taken care by massive 15-inch six-piston at front and 13.8-inch four-pot at rear with vented rotors. Pirelli 295/45ZR20 section rubber is wrapped around the five-spoke 20-inch ‘goliath’ wheels. There are 11 body colours to choose if you want the V8 hauler to be further alluring.
The Durango SRT is distinguishable by means of SRT grille and badging, gloss black accent all-around, four-inch exhaust tip, new integrated wheel flares and body-color side rocker panels, lending a menacing stance to the brute. In a traditional SRT fashion, the interior galore with upmarket and performance oriented finishes. There is a flat-bottom performance steering wheel, Nappa leather with suede wrapped upholstery with SRT logos, heated and ventilated seats, big paddle shifters, and real carbon fibre inserts. The instrument cluster is a 7-inch TFT screen, while the dashboard has an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, incorporating navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SiriusXM.
This marauding beast will take on the roads during fourth quarter of 2017 and will sit smugly above the Durango R/T. The Durango SRT will give the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT some good discord in the performance SUV space.
