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Dodge debuts 2020 Durango SRT Black appearance package

Dodge is going back to the well with yet another round of aesthetic options for the 2020 Durango SUV, focusing yet again on the high-performance SRT model with a new Black package and optional "Redline" stripes.  Like most of FCA's dress-up packages, these are geared toward the sporty crowd. The SRT Black package adds lots of black and dark gray elements, including gray SRT badges on the grille and fenders, gloss black mirror caps, 20-inch matte gray wheels, blacked-out exhaust tips, a satin black "Dodge" logo on the tailgate, and gray "Durango" and "SRT" tailgate badges.  If you want a little color variety, you can swap out the gray alloys for the existing Brass Monkey accessory wheels at no cost. You can also add the Redline stripe package (shown here), which adds matte black full-length stripes with red accent pin-striping on the outer edges.   And while the package may be called the SRT Black, it's actually available in 10 colors: Billet Silver, DB Black, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Granite Crystal, Octane Red, Reactor Blue, Redline, White Knuckle and Vice White. Plenty of cars aren't even available in 10 finishes.  The SRT Black package offers a treatment similar to that of the Blacktop package, which is available on lower trims; Black and Redline are both exclusive to the range-topping SRT model.  The Durango SRT Black will run you $1,495; Redline is an extra $1,295. These packages will make their public debuts at the Chicago Auto Show next week alongside some other goodies from FCA. Stay tuned.  Related Video:

Watch a Dodge Challenger Demon break 200 mph

We all know that the Dodge Challenger Demon is a monster in short bursts. Its 840 horsepower and drag-ready tires allow it to hit 60 mph in a claimed 2.3 seconds on the way to a sub-10-second quarter-mile time. But it turns out that the Demon doesn't run out of grunt after the quarter-mile. This was proven by a group that took one to the runway where space shuttles landed, Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds in Florida. There they hit a top speed of 203 mph. Dodge doesn't give a top speed for the Demon, but for a bit of comparison, the 707-horsepower Hellcat Widebody has a top speed of 199 mph. Watching the video, it's interesting how calm things appear to be in the cabin. There doesn't appear to be much vibration, and the car was clearly staying steady in a straight line, since the driver hardly moved the wheel. And before you know it, the 2.3-mile run is over. The run's not official unless a record-keeping body is witnessing it, and there will surely be Demons out there trying to beat this run, but it's sure fun to watch in the meantime. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Dodge Demon makes so much torque, it needs stronger driveline parts

Torque is a lovely thing, a sweet and wonderful force that twists and pulls and can help propel a two-ton metal box forward at comical speeds. Torque is also fickle and will bend and break those same metal parts without a second thought, which is why the new Dodge Demon is compensating for its increased torque with some new re-engineered and reinforced parts. And there's software intended to combat wheel hop, which one of the most dramatic ways torque can break stuff. Week 8's video, "Race-hardened Parts," gives a hint towards what all these new parts can do. While we still don't know how much torque the Demon will throw out, we do know it's enough to warrant an upgraded prop shaft, half shafts, and a differential housing. The Challenger Hellcat, which is the basis for the Demon, makes 650 pound-feet of torque already. The new parts will go a long way toward making sure the work from the Demon's engine is properly translated into motion by those Nitto drag radials. The new prop shaft uses high-strength steel, heat-treated stub-shafts, and increases the tube thickness by 20 percent for a 15 percent increase in torque capacity. Additionally, Dodge says the upgraded differential housing allows for a 30 percent increase in torque capacity by using heat-treated A383 aluminum alloy and a higher strength shot-peened gear set. The 41-spline half shafts that deliver 20 percent increased torque capacity through the use of high-strength low alloy steel and 8-ball joints. In addition to the hardware, the Launch Assist software has been tuned to help alleviate wheel hop. Dodge says the Demon is the first factory production car that uses wheel speed sensors to detect hop and momentarily cut torque to compensate. This means a driver can keep their foot planted on the floor while the computer sorts out the traction. Previously, the best solution was to back off the throttle to manually cut the load. Finally, the Dodge Demon will offer a four-point harness mounting bar as an optional accessory. The part will be supplied by Speedlogix and fits in place of the deleted rear seat. Customers can install the bar without having to hack apart their cars to find a proper mounting point. Look for more teasers and info on ifyouknowyouknow.com in the lead-up to the Demon's debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show. Related Video: Image Credit: FCA Dodge Performance dodge demon dodge hellcat