Laramie Heated Leather Pwr Opts Sunroof Nav 6.7l Cummins Diesel Dually 4x4 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Dodge adds fire-breathing Durango SRT for 2018

The playbook for Dodge right now is pretty simple. Wring as much power out of as many things as humanly possible. Now comes the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT. Packing 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, this seven-seat school bus will scoot to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. Since the latest Durango launched for 2014, Dodge has unabashedly called it a three-row Charger. This beefy SUV makes that aggressive claim even more legit. "It does all the things we want a performance car to do," says Mark Trostle, head of performance, passenger, and utility vehicle exterior design. "It really is our three-row Charger." The 6.4-liter (392 cubic inches) Hemi V8 is considerably stronger than the already-potent 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which is rated at 360 hp and 390 lb-ft in the most powerful Durango available now. The SRT powertrain includes the TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic transmission used in the lesser Durango models (and many other FCA US vehicles), though it's calibrated specifically to the sportier demeanor of the SRT model. A similarly retuned full-time all-wheel-drive system rounds out the powertrain. Despite the fact this is a hot-rod SUV, it can still tow 8,600 pounds with a trailer, 1,200 pounds more than the most capable 2017 Durango (the rear-wheel 5.7-liter variant). View 9 Photos The Durango SRT is an obvious move for Dodge. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is built on the same platform in the same factory in Detroit, already has an SRT model. With rumors of a Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee swirling and another Demonic Challenger on the way, the Durango was overdue for an engine upgrade. "When we launched the Durango in 2014, this is the one we really wanted," says Tim Kuniskis, head of FCA US' passenger car brands. There's no doubt this is an enthusiast-oriented SUV. Dodge even went to the trouble of certifying the Durango SRT's 12.9-second quarter-mile time with the NHRA and tested it a Virginia International Raceway. Buy a Durango SRT, and you get a full day at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. When's the last time anyone did all of that with a three-row ute? It certainly looks the part. The hood bulges with new air-ducts to help keep the big Hemi chilled appropriately. There's a new front fascia with more air vents and LED fog lamps. Plus, the grille takes on a menacing new glare with a mesh pattern, and the body gets wider wheel flares. Click through the gallery, it really does look like a Charger from some angles.

Dodge Viper ACR reportedly green lit [w/video]

The Dodge Viper might be getting a little more venomous in the near future thanks to a return of the performance-honed ACR trim. According to an anonymous source leaking the info to Allpar, the version would go into production in July as a 2016 model year vehicle. FCA US showed a concept for a future ACR (pictured above) at the 2014 SEMA Show that sported carbon fiber parts for the front splitter and dive planes, plus a picnic-table-sized rear wing. The body also received ducts at the rear to shoot cool air to the differential. A set of 15.4-inch carbon-ceramic brake rotors also brought things to a halt in a hurry. The company promised all the aero pieces were sculpted in the wind tunnel to give the coupe even more downforce. To shed weight, engineers chucked the radio, speakers, carpet and sound deadening out of the interior, and they replaced many bits with even more carbon fiber. All of the tweaks are necessary because the ACR moniker carries serious cachet for the Viper at the track, especially at the Nurburgring. One reportedly did a 7:22 lap around the 'Ring in 2008, and another improved that further to 7:12 in 2011. Autoblog reached out to FCA US for comment about the possibility for the hotter Viper, but the company wasn't willing to comment about any possible, future projects. Related Video:

Want a new 2017 Viper? You'd better call Gerry Wood Dodge

As unfortunate as the news may be, the Dodge Viper is entering its final year of production. Slow sales and increased safety regulations have finally killed Dodge's big, brutish, and beautiful supercar. It will be missed. According to Motor Authority, those looking to pick up one of the last remaining models will have to travel to Gerry Wood Dodge in Salisbury, North Carolina. The dealer has apparently managed to secure the final allocation of cars for itself. All 135 or so remaining cars will be sold exclusively through Gerry Wood Dodge. While Dodge has already sold out of the limited-edition 2017 models, Gerry Wood Dodge put a team together to research and create their own unofficial limited-edition cars. These will be ordered in specific and unique color and option combinations. Dodge offers more than 8,000 colors for the Viper, so picking out a few unused shades couldn't have been too difficult. While these aren't official, it should provide some bragging rights to owners who manage to secure one of the special cars. Despite the exclusivity and hoarding the final few vehicles, Gerry Wood Dodge doesn't plan to add a dealer markup to the car. They claim to never markup cars over MSRP, which seems good for everyone but them. We won't complain. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2016 Dodge Viper ACR: First Drive View 26 Photos News Source: Motor AuthorityImage Credit: Copyright 2016 Michael Austin / AOL Dodge Car Dealers Coupe Performance