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Electric Dodge Durango imagined as Charger spinoff

Next Durango to be based on unibody STLA Large platform and offer BEV and ICE powertrains

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Snapshot

  • The Durango is a mid-size/full-size SUV produced by Dodge
  • Next Durango will use a unibody architecture with ICE and BEV powertrain options
  • ICE Durangos will be powered by the twin-turbo Hurricane6 engines with up to 375kW+
  • BEVs will be capable of delivering 500kW+ and a range of up to 800km

The current shape Dodge Durango made its overseas debut in 2011 and has sold steadily since – usually around 50,000-70,000 units per year, with US sales peaking in 2023 at 69,196.

The recent United Auto Workers (tentative) agreement with Stellantis reveals that the current Durango will be replaced in 2026 with an all-new model.

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Electric Dodge Durango imagined by | Theottle [↗] | Video [↗]

The 2026 Durango will use Stellantis’ unibody STLA Large architecture, like the next Dodge Charger, with ICE and BEV powertrain options.

As for how it might look, our mate Theottle has prepared renders showing how an STLA-based next-generation Durango might take some cues from an old friend in the family.

MoparInsiders.com reported back in July 2023 that a Durango replacement tentatively named the ‘Stealth’ was previewed at the Stellantis Dealer Business Meeting.

It provided three rows of seating, like the Durango, with a sportier and more streamlined look than the current Durango.

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Electric Dodge Durango imagined by | Theottle [↗] | Video [↗]

‘Stealth’ is unlikely to be used for the Durango replacement, as Chrysler Group has a history of using different names to gauge feedback from its dealer body, according to Mopar Insiders.

The Durango brand has built strong recognition over 25 years and it’s likely the name will continue with the new generation of ICE/BEV vehicles.

The switch from body-on-frame to unibody construction and optional BEV drivetrains isn’t the only major change for the next-generation.

Hemi engines are being phased out from 2024 to reduce corporate emissions, although they’ll still be available in the heavy duty range for the foreseeable future.

They’ll be replaced in the Durango and other passenger vehicles by the twin-turbo Hurricane 6 engines, projected to deliver over 375kW in performance models.

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BEVs using the STLA Large architecture will be available with the option of 400-volt and 800-volt electrical architectures.

Batteries in high-performance versions will feature high-energy-density nickel cobalt aluminium chemistry, packaged into prismatic cell structures and distributed across in-series modules.

With batteries of up to 100kWh, these high performance BEVs will be capable of delivering 500kW+ (“initial peak” power of 550kW) and a driving range of up to 800km.

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