The 2018 Dodge Durango Is Ready To Catch The Bad Guys

TopSpeed

By Jonathan Lopez

Published May 11, 2018

Say hello to the new-and-improved long arm of the law

As consumers scoop up the latest and greatest four-wheeled creations to go about their daily lives, law enforcement agencies are also looking to upgrade their fleets. One of the latest entries in this space is the new cop-prepped Dodge Durango, which offers V-8 power and AWD to stick it to the perps.

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In FCA’s lineup of police vehicles, this latest SUV is essentially a pursuit version of the 2018 Durango, packing in all the right stuff to bring down the hammer of justice.

Making it go is a Hemi 5.7-liter V-8, producing upwards of 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. It’s the same powertrain used in the Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicle, which, as the brand points out, is the top-selling police sedan in the U.S.

Standout features on the Durango include a 22-amp alternator, 800 cold cranking amp battery, and a heavy-duty oil cooler and water pump to keep it running in the toughest of conditions.

Making the connection to the powertrain is an eight-speed automatic transmission, while a rear-biased AWD system sends power to the pavement. Handling is assisted thanks to a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, while a two-speed transfer case brings the right ratio for low-range off-roading pursuits. The Pursuit Durango also comes equipped with larger brakes, which are capable of stopping the SUV from 60 mph in 134 feet.

Dodge also likes to point out the Durango’s 8.1 inches of ground clearance, 7,200-pound towing capacity, and trailer sway control, all of which helps on the practicality front. A power-locking fuel filler door keeps the gas bandits at bay.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the Durango comes with a long 119.8-inch wheelbase, which helps it stay stable at high speeds, while also providing lots of space inside. The spare tire is mounted under the vehicle, which helps to increase interior space even further.

Officers will enjoy the ParkView rear camera with ParkSense alert, which is useful when backing up with the rear seat stuffed to capacity with ne’er-do-wells. An eight-way power adjusting driver’s seat keeps it comfy, while a spot lamp wiring package can be had for those nighttime shifts. There’s also a “K-9 friendly” Tri-Zone climate control to keep the furriest officers nice and cool.

“Unofficial testing at the Michigan State Police 2018 model-year vehicle evaluation event created such a stir among law enforcement agencies that we simply had to find a way to build this vehicle,” said Head of Passenger Car Brands Steve Beahm. “The Dodge Durango is already known as the Charger of SUVs, so it is only natural that the new Durango Pursuit complements the Charger Pursuit in police fleets across the country.”

Order books are open now.