The Dodge Durango SUV has been subjected to many versions. This mammoth SUV entered the statuses of the Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Charger and got its own SRT Hellcat version, making 710 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 180 mph, just like the big boys.
This Hellcat version took a long while to arrive in the market. Sadly, Stellantis was formed shortly after that, and Dodge was given a deadline: go green or go home. An additional 3000 Durango SRT Hellcats were ordered due to popular demand after the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat was discontinued in June 2021. Now, on the brink of a launching Dodge Durango Plug-in Hybrid, Dodge revealed that the production of the original Durango SUV is finally over.
The Dodge Durango SRT Will Go Into Oblivion
In September, we were briefed about the Stellantis' roadmap for future vehicles (mostly previously-owned Fiat Chrysler Automobiles brands). Dodge will unleash its first "all-electric" muscle car by 2024. The eMuscle has a new logo called the Fratzog. However, it won't replace its existing lineup with all-electric models. Rumors have broadcasted that the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger will be canned to give the first all-electric eMuscle a chance.
What does this mean for the Dodge Durango? Stellantis is planning a significant overhaul in 2023-2024. They will be launching an all-electric Jeep in 2023 and eMuscle in 2024, and the Durango will also die in 2024. According to current reports, production will cease at that point, with no replacement in sight. The lineup has been slowly shrinking over the years as the automaker moves away from internal gas combustion engines to electrified options. The Dodge Dart was first, followed by the Dodge Viper and then the Dodge Journey. Finally, the Dodge Grand Caravan was discontinued. Ah, the memories. Despite all its advances, the Dodge Durango is now on the verge of being scrapped.
For more than a year, we comprehended that the 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat would only be assembled for a short while before shifts in emission requirements would make it extinct. The Durango with a 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine was emissions law-abiding for six months before Covid-19 induced production shutdowns and shortages. Luckily, the lack of semiconductors extended the production period. The Dodge Durango Hellcat version persisted rolling off the Jefferson Assembly line in Detroit instead of retiring from production earlier this year.
Dodge will not abandon SUVs completely. Some people don't want a fast, high-octane-burning muscle car. The Durango survived because Dodge customers also love SUVs. We believe a new SUV that is more modern and offers more technology options will fill the gap. Stellantis's portfolio includes many SUVs that could be ported over to Dodge with a new face or rebadge. This muscle car manufacturer has not shied away from doing something like that in the past. The Colt's subcompact car was a rebadged model of Mitsubishi Motors before the Japanese automaker officially began selling vehicles in the United States.
Future Plans After Ditching The Durango
Dodge was given a deadline because it was not economically viable to produce high-performance vehicles that did not comply with the European Union's CO2 emission regulations. Stellantis is also moving towards profit and will bring Peugeot back to the US as part of the merger into Stellantis. Dodge used to produce nearly 50,000 to 65,000 Dodge Durangos each year. That's a ton of room to make another more beneficial vehicle.
Dodge has done a great job revamping Durango regarding safety and performance, but it eventually became driver-oriented. This is the strange thing about large cars: how often do all eight seats get filled? Perhaps we will finally see a hatchback with hellcat power.
Tim Kuniskis( CEO, Dodge) reported that a functional prototype for the new EV-powered muscle car would be available in 2022. It is unclear if it will be a near-production vehicle or just a wild idea, but this may fit the definition of Dodge and electric muscle coexisting. Although it would be a stretch to say that the Hellcat replacement might arrive sooner than expected, considering most automakers are moving at a rapid pace with EV development.
Bid-adieu to the Durango now as this could be the last time we ever see a high horsepower Dodge Durango. Dodge is anticipated to debut its first-ever EV in 2024, so even if we get some new rendition of the redesigned Durango beyond 2023, odds point to it using a hybrid or all-electric powertrain. Hemi V8 power remains, at least for now. Dodge unveiled the Jailbreak versions for the SRT Challenger Redeye and Charger Redeye models. They offer new colors, special badges, and an increase in the Hellcat's output of 6.2-liter to 807 horsepower. We are not sure that this will be the last round of special edition hellcats.