Durango SRT Hellcat

Make
Dodge
Segment
SUV

It's been rumored for some time and it's finally here. The 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has finally arrived and it's everything we hoped it'd be and more. Dodge very accurately describes it as a "muscle SUV for muscle car people with families." Cutting straight to it: the Durango Hellcat is powered by the forever awesome 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi Hellcat V8, now tuned to deliver 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque.

Dodge claims this is the most powerful SUV ever, surpassing the 707-hp Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, although torque is equal. A fast-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters sends power to all four wheels. Expect a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, the quarter-mile sprint in 11.5 seconds, and a top speed of 180 mph. Also, the Durango Hellcat is 1.5 seconds faster than the current Durango SRT 392 on a 2.1-mile road course. That amounts to 9 car lengths after just one lap, and to avoid any debate, the times have all been verified by the National Hot Rod Association.

It wasn't a straight drop-in project, however. The Hellcat engine did require a few new modifications such as a cooling circuit for the charge air coolers integrated into the supercharger housing. The twin-pipe exhaust system also received unique tuning modifications.

Drivers will benefit from Launch Control and Launch Assist, and, not surprisingly, Dodge added a set of race-inspired Brembo brakes for improved handling and stopping power. The newly upgraded suspension provides for greater riding comfort in Auto mode and better handling in Track mode. This results in reduced understeer, greater stability when turning into corners, and a 20 percent response increase in total rebound control.

Other standard features are electric power steering with selectable steering tuning, three driving settings (Street, Sport and Track, and Custom) and seven driving modes: Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Eco, and Valet.

Exterior styling takes design cues straight from the Charger Widebody, including the new front fascia with larger grille openings for better cooling, a sculpted hood, LED headlights and daytime running lights, rear spoiler, and 20-inch machine faced wheels wearing standard Pirelli all-season tires. Two-piece Satin Chrome SRT fender badges are standard but can be finished in Neutral Grey Metallic with the optional Black Package.

Step inside and you'll find a standard and best-in-class 10.1-inch touchscreen at a seven-degree angle towards the driver. Dodge says it redesigned the entire Durango instrument panel for 2021 with a slimmer integrated center stack, chrome-accent toggle switches, and specific buttons for the heated and cooled seats. The latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard, as is a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Dodge will begin accepting orders this fall with deliveries to commence in early 2021. Official pricing has not been announced, but there's one thing customers must know: the Durango Hellcat is for the 2021 model year only. If you want one, don't hesitate.