The Saratogian (Saratoga, NY)

Dodge flexes its muscles with Durango SRT

- By Marc Grasso Boston Herald

Muscularit­y is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of any SUV.

Now, do you like to burn rubber? I’m talking about fat, rubber-burning tire marks on the pavement.

If so, with the Dodge Durango SRT you get the added benefit of being able to bring the whole family along for a rubber-burning fest. The Durango SRT is a 4.4-second, zero-to-60 mph, three-row, seven-passenger, tire-scorching machine.

Dodge Durango SRT (Street & Racing Technology) is one bad mamma jamma. It basically satisfies all types, from speed, racing, hauling, towing, family use and everything in between. This one-of-a-kind ute is simply that: one of a kind.

Packing a punch with its 475 horsepower V8 6.4L Hemi engine, outputting 470 pound-feet of torque, the Durango SRT leaves everything in the dust. The cold air intake takes outside air and feeds the engine cooler air, assisting in engine displaceme­nt ability. The TorqueFlit­e eight-speed automatic transmissi­on is calibrated specifical­ly for the Hemi combinatio­n and was smooth considerin­g the work it does from the 5,500-lb. people-mover.

With lower than normal ground clearance, the Durango SRT shows a low and wide stance. Fourinch chrome tips adorn its throaty dual exhaust. Stopping the SRT are six-piston front Brembo high-performanc­e brake calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear along with vented rotors. They are not like the ceramics in our recently tested Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifogl­io’s brakes, but they are pretty nice.

Slip the SRT into track mode and wow, 70% of the engine torque directly transfers to the rear wheels for unbelievab­le,”head smacking into the headrest” accelerati­on. Handling also improves to almost an unmanageab­le level forcing you to eventually lift off the gas pedal.

The fantastic 8.4-inch touch screen UConnect infotainme­nt system is present in FCA’s Durango SRT and the italicized font makes it that much racier. Also, the Harman Kardon 19-speaker system with subwoofer was really nice when needing to drown out that awesome exhaust system.

With 8,700 pounds of towing available, the Durango SRT has no worries hauling your maintenanc­e trailer or camper for the weekend.

Priced from the mid $60s, you can get one unbelievab­le SUV that can pretty much do it all, and also turns heads. You don’t see many, but when you do, you will know that the Durango SRT will kick your average car’s tail in every category.

 ?? MARC GRASSO — BOSTON HERALD ?? The Dodge Durango SRT has what it takes to get your motor revving and get you headed out on the highway.
MARC GRASSO — BOSTON HERALD The Dodge Durango SRT has what it takes to get your motor revving and get you headed out on the highway.

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