Low gas prices have made it feel like 2007 all over again, with pickup and SUV sales soaring even as customers demand more fuel economy, more techie features, and of course more power. This has led to the success of models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT with a 470 horsepower Hemi V8 under the hood, and its distant cousin the Dodge Durango looks poised to get a similar performance boost.
Now that the excitement surrounding the new Dodge Barracuda and Charger models has died down, we’ve managed to uncover some other interesting tidbits like the promise of a Dodge Durango SRT 392. It’d be a big step up from the only engine currently offered in the Durango, the stout but rather unremarkable 3.6 liter Pentastar V6.
There is a tradition of Hemi-powered Durangos to build off of, but Chrysler never got around to building a full-fledged SRT model before the bottom fell out of the economy. But with gas prices low and the extra buzz generated by the Charger and Challenger Hellcat drawing new fans into the Dodge fold, a Durango SRT 392 with 470 horsepower could lure in deep-pocketed buyers.
Just don’t get your hopes up for a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, as the 707 horsepower supercharged engines are currently allocated for the two muscle cars plus the upcoming Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. There likely isn’t room to feed some of those same engines into a Durango Hellcat at the moment, but with Chrysler reportedly refocusing its SRT efforts on the Dodge brand, a high-performance SUV could be exactly what the well-heeled customer wants.
Of course this all sounds like we’re just setting ourselves for more wailing and gnashing of teeth when gas prices inevitably rise again. Better get yours while the gettin’ is still good.