Sizzling: Dodge’s new Big 3
POWER to the max, from left, the Charger, the Durango and the Challenger.
It was a dark and stormy night. We arrived at the Spanish colonial-style house to meet with three mysterious Americans. They were illuminated in a bright white floodlight as the rain whipped about their aggressive silhouettes. The three turned out to be the newest vehicles from Dodge, distributed by CATS Motors: the Durango SUV, Challenger coupe, and Charger sedan.
The Durango sports a distinctively sleeker appearance. It is no longer the Big Bear of SUVs, but rather follows a low-slung, sportier profile. The Durango has a face in the vein of the Charger sedan, with a large Dodge crosshair grille wedged between angular headlamps. The Durango available from CATS Motors is dubbed the Citadel AWD Sport variant, the top-spec model. Durango Citadel specifications include aggressive 20-inch wheels, plush leather interior, replete with indirect lighting and an attractive blue-and-red lighting scheme for the instruments. The Citadel can seat up to eight, in three rows of seats – the second and third row can split-fold, allowing for a more versatile interior. With third seat folded, Dodge quotes a huge 1305 liters of cargo space. If more storage is needed, the Durago Citadel features an available roof rack that incorporates self-storing cross-bars.
Powering the Durango is a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, reportedly the most powerful in its class. The DOHC powerplant puts out 290 hp and 352 Nm of torque. It is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, sending drive to all four wheels. Towing capacity is 2,900kg.
Since this is the top variant, the Durango Citadel carries a long list of standard features, including HID headlamps, powered front seats (with memory function for the driver), sunroof, Keyless Go system and power-adjustable steering column.
The Durango also comes with a boatload of safety features, including forward collision warning that sounds an audible alarm, backup camera, blind spot detection, cross path detection, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and tire pressure monitor. Passive safety measures include front and side airbags, curtain airbag for all rows, and active head restraints.
FORGET about the bank vault caper it pulled off in Fast Five, the Charger is a unique take on the family vehicle, equal parts muscle car and commuter shuttle.
The Durango features the Chrysler group’s trademark U-connect system, that allows control of a mobile phone via voice commands. The latest version should enable access even to a linked phone’s contact list. The entertainment system also includes a 30GB hard disk drive. The Durango retails for P3,780,000.
For anyone who has seen Deathproof or its inspiration, Vanishing Point, The Dodge Challenger needs no introduction. It owes its striking looks to the 1960s original model seen in those films, but it contains thoroughly modern engineering. There’s no way to stop your eyes from locking onto a Challenger, any time that you see one. The low, wide body is accentuated with contrasting racing stripes, which makes it meaner by several degrees.
At its heart is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, good for 372 hp and 542 Nm. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic, with power going to the rear wheels. The engine has a fuel saver mode that allows it to run in four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, seamlessly switching to full V8 output when called upon.
The chassis has been turned for near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. It rolls on 20-inch wheels, shod with 245/45-section tires. The aluminum suspension was designed with negative camber for better cornering grip and reportedly features improved feel and brakes that resist fade. Challenger uses five-link rear suspension that provides better isolation from road shocks and a quieter cabin, while providing resistance to body roll.
Inside, the Challenger is all business, with a thick, three-spoke steering wheel, and leather seats. There are a lot of concessions to comfort and convenience, such as the U-connect system, powered driver’s seat, Boston Acoustic audio with six speakers, and split-folding rear seats.
THE Durango’s 3.6-liter V6 engine is reportedly the most powerful in its class.
For those who crave power, the R/T model will not be enough. So CATS is also offering the SRT8 version, for a mere P400,000 more, at P3,850,000. The SRT8 ups the displacement to 6.1 liters. Power goes up to 425 hp and torque to 589 Nm. To haul it all down from very high speeds, a Brembo brake package is available.
The Challenger is an intriguing alternative to the other two pony cars, the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. The Challenger HEMI R/T retails for P3,450,000.
Interestingly, that is also the retail price for the four-door Dodge Charger HEMI R/T. If the Challenger had its fifteen minutes onscreen, the Charger had considerably more screen exposure in the still-showing Fast Five. As with the Challenger, the Charger is equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, good for 360 hp and 528 Nm.
The Charger is a unique take on the family vehicle, equal parts muscle car and commuter shuttle. The performance advantage of a huge V8 combined with 20-inch wheels will satisfy the sports-car cravings of any mom or dad, while the four-door body style and large interior suits its duties as a family vehicle. Although CATS cannot guarantee that a pair of Chargers can pull off a bank vault caper (like what we saw in the exciting windup of the Fast Five movie), it seems to be plenty of family car for the money.
