Michael Accardi 
We’ve known for more than a year, the 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat would be produced for just one year before changes to evaporative emissions requirements would regulate it into extinction. Prior to Covid-19 induced production shutdowns and semiconductor shortages the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 equipped Durango was only emissions compliant for six months.
“(The Durango Hellcat) is not limited, not serialized like what we do with (Dodge Demon), but we’re only building them for six months,” Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis told us back in July of 2020. “With all of the changes we made in the plant to come back up (to production) post-COVID with the sequencing and spacing in the plant, it’s changed the number we can build… I don’t have an actual number but it will be less than 2,000. I don’t how much less than 2,000. It will be determined by customer demand and how much we can build in that six-month period.”
When equipped in the 2021 Dodge Durango, the 6.2-liter Hellcat pumped out 710 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 180 mph.
“When we switch to ’22 model year, there are new evaporative emission requirements that come in that the Hellcat engine does not meet in that platform,” Kuniskis elaborated at the time. “And with the change in platforms for the next generation (WL) Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s a one-year cycle (for Durango Hellcat).”
According to Motor Trend, the semiconductor shortage actually ended up prolonging the production period. Instead of exiting production earlier this year, the Hellcat version of the Dodge Durango continued to roll off the line at Jefferson Assembly in Detroit.
It’s a vehicle that was always going to be produced in limited numbers, but it’s unclear if the production extension actually resulted in more trucks being assembled.
Say your goodbyes now as this could be the last time we ever see a high horsepower Dodge Durango that runs on dinosaurs. Dodge is expected to debut its first-ever EV in 2024, so even if we get some kind of muscley version of the redesigned Durango past 2023, probability points to it using a hybrid or all-electric powertrain.
I thought they killed the Hellcat all together? It’s complete BS if you ask me!
Your headline sucks. They didn’t want to spend on the evaporative emissions requirement to pass. Like the engine does in other platforms.
Hellcats are running wild and free they escaped off the line
I hate emissions
When the first challengers came out with hellcat power, I thought they would be rare. I can’t believe how many daily driven hellcat chargers challengers I see being daily driven. Not as many trackhawks and I have only seen a few hellcat Durangos but they are out there as well being daily driven like honda civic. It is crazy!!
Destroying are heritage people are too soft boo hoo it’s killing the earth the earth is going to die anyways so just deal with it fast cars aren’t just made to piss people off they are made for people who are like me eat sleep and dream about cars I say fuk the laws I’m deleting all my trucks and cars and don’t care about consequences fight for what you believe in
YASSS
I’ve had it with this emissions bull, and theses no balls pansies running these car companies, instead of telling the EPA to stick it, we are the ones that have to bend over and take it.
The first company that comes along and starts making ICE vehicles again I’m investing all my money in period..
Just wait until all the”EV” fallout begins, it will generate (no pun inteneded) more issues than mining and disposal combined. Stand by and keep tuning up your piston driven, fuel pumping, heart pounding machine that keeps climbing in value… I’ll gladly lend a hand (or a beer) in the process
It’s actually sad. Government did this to muscle cars in the 70’s. The Emissions Control and State Inspection program is a Sham from the start. Enacted to sell more vehicles, and use more Petrol based services. The fact that there’s a half-assed push for Electrical cars (which had working designs since the 40’s) has neglected to acknowledge the amount of damage strip mining the Primary Ingredients for batteries like Lithium does as much damage as these “Emissions”. The auto industry is rolling over and lubing up in the name of control based off of well paid Lies and Narratives
total BS, considering private jets, passenger planes and rockets to space eat up WAAAY more than Dodge
Glad I ordered mine last November. We love it, gets so much attention. While in Tampa, we pulled next to a new corvette window down I asked if he wanted to race. Saw the emblem on the fender, said, “I’ve heard about those, no thanks) respect! Same happened in town, 2 young guys in a challenger 392 emblem. They too said nope! I think these folks are supprised to see an old gray hair guy driving it. It’s black with blue stripes matching my viper color. Only gets 15 MPG, oh well!
I’m not an EV fanboy. But I’d buy a battery powered muscle car from Dodge. Why not?
I’m not an EV fanboy. But I’d buy a battery powered muscle car from Dodge. Why not?