Tag Archives: Dodge

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Dodge Durango goes full HEMI: Every model gets V8 muscle for 2026

The muscle SUV game just got a whole lot hotter. Dodge has announced that starting August 13, every 2026 Durango — from the entry-level GT to the ferocious SRT Hellcat — will roar with a legendary HEMI V8 engine. This bold move sees Dodge doubling down on its muscle heritage, delivering more power, torque, and towing capability across the board.

Power for all

Gone are the days when only top trims could claim a V8 under the bonnet. Now, even the base Durango GT throws out a serious 5.7-litre HEMI V8 punch, boasting 65 extra horsepower over the outgoing V6. That’s a 22% horsepower boost, a 50% torque increase, and a sprint to 60mph that’s over a second quicker at 6.2 seconds flat. Best of all, at a starting price of $42,495 (excluding destination fees), it’s the most affordable all-wheel-drive V8 SUV on the market today.

Step up to the R/T and things get even more exciting. For the first time, the R/T will be powered by Dodge’s famed 392-cubic-inch (6.4-litre) HEMI V8, cranking out 475hp and 470lb-ft of torque. That’s a hefty 115hp gain over the previous 5.7-litre engine, delivering sharper throttle response and an exhaust note that commands attention. Impressively, this places the R/T at the pinnacle of power for SUVs priced under $50,000.

The Hellcat legacy continues

At the summit is the 2026 Durango SRT Hellcat — a beast that still holds the title as the most powerful gas-powered SUV ever built. Its supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 produces a staggering 710hp and 645lb-ft of torque, launching the three-row muscle SUV from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180mph. Now starting at $79,995, Dodge has made this monster more attainable than ever.

New for 2026 is the Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak edition, a customisation playground offering more than six million potential combinations. Buyers can tailor everything from wheel design and exterior colours to stripe patterns and brake caliper shades — all unlocked for an additional $995.

More muscle, more muscle SUVs

Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO, sums it up: “Dodge Durango is on a tear… We’re harnessing that momentum to do what Dodge does best: bring more horsepower to the masses.” With best-in-class towing capability of up to 8,700 pounds across the lineup and fuel-saving cylinder deactivation tech ensuring efficiency doesn’t fall by the wayside, Dodge has effectively rewritten the muscle SUV playbook.

The 2026 Durango’s combination of accessible V8 power, aggressive styling, and serious capability means it’s not just a three-row SUV — it’s a genuine muscle car for families. If muscle SUVs are your thing, the Durango lineup just got a lot harder to beat.

Source: Dodge

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Dodge Unleashed Full Details on 2026 Charger Sixpack — Muscle Goes Modern

Dodge has pulled the wraps off the long-awaited gas-powered 2026 Charger Sixpack, confirming pricing, performance specs, and key differences from its electric sibling. The big headline? A twin-turbo inline-six with up to 550 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and a price tag starting at $51,990.

The new Charger Sixpack will be offered in two power levels. The base R/T packs a Standard Output (SO) 3.0-liter Hurricane straight-six, good for 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. For an extra $5,000, the Scat Pack cranks things up with a High Output (HO) version of the same engine, delivering a thumping 550 hp and 531 lb-ft. Both variants get forged crankshafts, a revamped eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic, and AWD that can be switched to RWD on demand.

Dodge claims the Scat Pack can sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds — territory that puts it squarely in the modern muscle elite. Four-piston Brembos come standard on the R/T, while Scat Packs upgrade to massive six-piston front calipers and 20-by-10-inch diamond-cut wheels (with optional 305-wide tires on 20-by-11-inch rims).

The Sixpack also comes well-equipped out of the box: launch control, line lock, a rear limited-slip diff, active exhaust, and Dodge’s Performance Pages software are all standard. Underneath, it rides on a forged multi-link front suspension and an independent four-link rear, with Dodge promising a 25% handling improvement over the outgoing Scat Pack, reducing understeer and improving corner balance.

Visually, the Sixpack stays close to the Charger Daytona EV, but swaps the EV’s “R-Wing” pass-through nose for a more conventional grille to feed the engine’s cooling needs. The chassis itself was designed to be future-proof — as Dodge CEO Matt McAlear hinted when asked if a Hellcat V8 could fit under the hood: “Don’t be surprised if it would fit.”

Order books for the two-door Scat Pack open August 11, with deliveries in late 2025. The more affordable R/T and four-door versions will follow in early 2026.

For now, the 2026 Charger Sixpack signals that Dodge isn’t ready to let internal combustion fade quietly — instead, it’s evolving muscle car tradition for a new era, with the flexibility to meet whatever the future demands.

Source: Dodge

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Dodge Unleashed Full Details on 2026 Charger Sixpack — Muscle Goes Modern
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Scott Krugger to Lead Design for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram

In a strategic reshuffle aimed at sharpening the design DNA of its most iconic brands, Stellantis has announced the appointment of Scott Krugger as Head of North America Design. The newly created position places Krugger at the creative helm of legendary American marques including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram, as he reports directly to North America COO Antonio Filosa.

Krugger, a seasoned design executive who began his career with the company in 2001, brings more than two decades of brand-shaping experience. His most recent role saw him lead the exterior design for Dodge and Dodge//SRT passenger and utility vehicles in North America—vehicles known for their aggressive styling and performance-first ethos. He also previously oversaw design for Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and user experience development at Stellantis’ EMEA design studio, giving him a global design perspective rare in the industry.

The appointment is part of a larger transformation of Stellantis’ design leadership structure, which also includes the recent hiring of Gilles Vidal to head design for the company’s European brands. Both moves are key to Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles’ vision of a globally unified yet regionally agile design operation.

“With Scott’s immense design talent and proven leadership in North America and Gilles’ award-winning track record in Europe, we are opening a new chapter of creative excellence,” said Ralph Gilles, who continues to spearhead Stellantis’ global design strategy while working closely with regional heads to ensure brand authenticity and consumer resonance.

The company’s new design framework aims to strike a balance between global design consistency and regional customization—a necessity in today’s diverse and rapidly evolving auto markets. Under this model, Krugger will help steer the North American brands through a design renaissance that prioritizes bold innovation while honoring the heritage that defines each marque.

Krugger’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Stellantis, as the company intensifies efforts to electrify its lineup and expand its reach in both traditional and emerging markets. With fresh leadership and a sharpened creative vision, Stellantis appears determined to make its next generation of vehicles as visually compelling as they are technologically advanced.

For fans of muscle cars, rugged off-roaders, and American luxury alike, the future just got a little more exciting.

Source: Stellantis