Lucas Bell 
We often call a vehicle that can carry a lot of people a family hauler, but with the all-new 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, FCA has completely changed the definition. Exclusively available for the 2021 model year, this Hellcat-powered SUV will allow drivers to tow more and drive faster than any other SUV on the market today.
There would be no Durango SRT Hellcat without the legendary 6.2L supercharged V8 that we’ve all come to know and love. In this spec, the motor pumps out 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, three more horsepower than the ludicrously quick Trackhawk. This makes the new Durango the most powerful SUV on the planet. That’s enough shove to propel this 5,000+ pound three-row SUV to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, before continuing through the ¼ mile in an NHRA-certified time of 11.5 seconds. Top speed is rated at 180 mph, which is amazing for an SUV of this girth. All red meat muscles over here.
In order to make that sort of power in a Durango-shaped body, Dodge fitted the SUV with a new front fascia design for better airflow, a new chin splitter, updated engine oil cooler duct, as well as an air guide and snorkel for cold air induction system. A unique exhaust was fitted as well, which the company promises will make the car distinctively a Hellcat model in sound.
The changes go beyond simply strapping the hellacious Hemi under the hood with the Durango SRT Hellcat. The engineers have completely reworked the SUV’s suspension, including a 20 percent increase in total rebound control and a total reduction in understeer of 2.5 percent. That new rear spoiler also adds a massive 400 percent increase in downforce at 180 mph, with 140 pounds. This helps the truck be more stable at higher speeds, and likely aids in the increased stability around corners with an improved roll gradient of 5 percent.
Around their 2.1 mile road course, the Durango SRT Hellcat was able to put a nine car-length sized gap on the naturally aspirated 392 model. The power differential surely helps in this test, but the new Hellcat’s brakes are really it’s party piece. Supplied by Brembo, the high-performance six-piston, two-piece calipers up front clamp down on 15.75 inch rotors, while the four-piston rear calipers deal with 13.8 inch vented rotors of their own. These massive brakes are able to slow the Durango from 60 mph in just 116 feet.
Inside the SUV you’ll find the flat-bottom performance steering wheel with paddle shifters from the other Hellcat models, unique red-accented gauges, heated and ventilated Nappa leather with suede front seats with an embroidered Hellcat logo. A Laguna leather interior in black/Demonic Red is also available. Forged Carbon Fiber interior treatments are also exclusive to the Hellcat SUV. Should you wish to change the way your muscle truck is behaving, owners will have access to the lineup of SRT performance pages with variable drive modes.
All of this performance is available from a family vehicle that offers three rows of seating and is capable of towing a class-leading 8,700 lbs. While it is a shame that the Durango SRT Hellcat will be a 2021 exclusive, the fact that Dodge is building such a ludicrous vehicle at all is exactly why they go by the name Brotherhood of Muscle.
