My FH5 Log: HEMIxSTORY

The third-generation Dodge Durango is the last Dodge powered by the HEMI V8 engine. Stellantis' scorched earth policy has led to the extinction of the V8 engine from its stable. 

The Dodge Durango Hellcat that I won from the High-Performance Dailies Hot Season Playlist reminds me that it ain't over until it's fully over.

So, what's it all about the most powerful Durango that ever existed?

The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is the most powerful production seven-seater SUV ever. It was unveiled during the COVID lockdown. It has the same 6.2L HEMI V8 engine as the Challenger and Charger Hellcats, which produces 710 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. This enables it to go from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph.

The Durango SRT Hellcat is available only for the 2021 model year but demand prompted to return it for the 2023 model year. As Dodge ended production of the third-generation Challenger and the upcoming Charger not having a V8 engine, the third-generation Durango is the last in the Dodge lineup to have a V8 engine.

Let's give the last V8-powered Dodge a proper send-off by tackling the last of the four new sprint races added to the update; the Cloverleaf Sprint. Roll the tape.

Statement, made.

The third-generation Dodge Durango proved that the "Sports" word in the Sports Utility Vehicle term means a lot, delivering sportscar-like performance with multipurpose capability. With the Hellcat, this is literally the king of high-performance SUVs. Europeans can fudge themselves whenever they see one.

Because of Stellantis' scorched earth policy to get rid of V8 engines from its stable, it really is the Last Call for Dodge's last V8-powered vehicle. Sad to see Dodge removing the V8 engine that made them a force to be reckoned with as demonstrated by the Charger Hellcat Redeye and the Challenger Demon but the Brotherhood of Muscle will be forever remembered.

See you in hell, Dodge Durango.