While Hemi V8 engines are largely gone from Dodge and Ram trucks, you can still get it in the Durango — but it’ll cost you.
We’ve been covering the slow demise of Hemi-powered models from Stellantis’ vehicles over the past few years, but you can still get a slice of good-old V8 thunder in the Dodge Durango SUV. In fact, Dodge is rolling out a couple special editions to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Hemi-powered Durango back in 2004: the R/T 20th Anniversary and the SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet.
The closest spiritual successor to the second-generation 5.7-liter Hemi, naturally, is the $68,565 R/T 20th Anniversary Edition. That’s about $12,000 higher than the standard Durango R/T Plus trim, and kicks off with the same list of features as that model, including heated and ventilated seats, a power sunroof, Alpine audio system and Trailer Tow Group with an 8,700-pound towing capacity. Under the hood, you still get the same 360-horsepower 5.7-liter “345” Hemi with 390 lb-ft of torque.
Special features for the R/T 20th Anniversary include a black Hemi hood graphic and 345 fender badging with Brass Monkey accents, for a start. Beyond that, you get 20-by-10-inch Brass Monkey wheels, SRT leather seats with embroidered seatbacks and bronze stitching, and a host of black exterior elements including black-painted Brembo brake calipers. Second-row captain’s chairs come as part of the package as well, while you also get access to the “SRT Track Experience” high-performance driving school for the first time with an R/T.
The Premium option for the R/T 20th Anniversary adds more features at a higher $72,065. The added cost brings in a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a suede headliner, black roof rails and more advanced driver assistance features.
If you’re gunning for the Hellcat, you’ll need to budget quite a bit more.
While the R/T is the nod to history, the SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet is the baddest Durango on the block. Fundamentally, it’s the same SUV that we’ve had for the past few years. You still get a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 with 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You still get Ebony Red nappa leather seats, a suede headliner and steering wheel, carbon fiber interior trim, and all that good stuff.
Again, this special edition trim focuses on aesthetic touches over the standard model. To start off, you get a new silver paint called Triple Nickel, as well as 20-inch “Lights Out” dark gray wheels. Other special touches include a satin black hood (a first for the Durango), red-painted six-piston Brembo brake calipers, and dual silver and sepia accent stitching throughout the interior.
And the price Dodge wants you to pay for the Silver Bullet? A cool $115,315. That’s more than $10,000 higher than last year’s Hellcat’s starting price, and if you’ll excuse me, I have to go find some heartburn medication.
If you’re interested in either model, especially as the V8 is set to bow out soon, you’ll be able to track one down to the Dodge Garage website‘s “Horsepower Locator”.
