End of the V8 Durango? Dealer news inside!

jonyorker · Mar 19, 2018

Alright, so I just got off the phone with my dealer. He was letting me know that my 2018 AWD Durango RT is currently being painted and I should be able to pick it up in 3-4 weeks!

So Stoked!

However, he had to apologize for a slight delay from when I ordered it because Dodge had initially refused the order. Dealer told me the details. Basically :

1 - They are at the end of builds on 2018 Durango's with the Hemi motor in it because Dodge was told to halt production on the V8's at the end of the year.
2 - All the remaining V8 production will go to the 2019 Ram 1500 because of this.

I asked him what about next year? Dealer says they were told that this is likely the last year the Durango would have the 5.7 V8 option. it might just be V6 and SRT next year.

Peteh2833 · Mar 19, 2018

I would be shocked if that is true. But I know that when our Police Dept. ordered our Durangos for patrol vehicles, we were told if we ordered a V6 that it would be built right away before the 5.7 V8 would be. The admin V6 Durango is built and awaiting shipment but the V8 hasn't been built yet.

jonyorker · Mar 19, 2018

Police durango's? That's badass

Peteh2833 · Mar 19, 2018

Yes. They are trying to compete with the Ford Explorer. Pricing is a lot lower than the Fords. We are getting a Charger too !!

Skippy426 · Mar 19, 2018

FCA is playing with fire. Hellcat, Demon, Trackhawk, as well as the regular SRT vehicles... EPA is not too happy with them and they're nowhere near meeting their CAFE requirements.

Look what they're doing to the poor 5.7 on the 2019 rams, lugging it so bad with mds they had to put active noise cancelation and active vibration dampening to hide it. I don't want a vehicle that is doing that.

I'll buy an eco boost or a chevy before I buy a v8 that's lugged like that.

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mantis · Mar 19, 2018

I fear the day we are without an American V8 engine. Sad days ahead if that is true

Wizard of Iz · Mar 20, 2018

I read on a Challenger forum that there's a strong rumor that they're halting (or have halted) production of the 5.7 Hemi in 2018. Word is that by the time production halts, they'll have enough engines to meet their anticipated demand through 2020.

Enjoy them while you can.

That's not to say that we won't have performance engine options. They'll just be turbocharged, supercharged, or both versions of V6 and 4-cylinder engines.

But it will be hard (perhaps impossible) to replicate the sound of a V8! And for many of us, that's a big part of the allure.

Peteh2833 · Mar 20, 2018

How are Chevy and Ford doing it with V8's ? Is it because they have 1 sport car each with a V8 ? Ford is the Mustang and Chevy Camaro. Is it because Dodge has a V8 Charger, Durango, Challenger and Demon ? The only V8's Ford has are in the Mustang and then the Trucks. I guess that would be why. You can't get a V8 in the Explorer or the Expedition.

Peteh2833 · Mar 20, 2018

Found this. Wasn't aware of these changes to the V6 and V8 engines. Wow !!!

http://media.fcanorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=18755&mid=70

Black Pearl Hemi · Mar 20, 2018

I found this. I hope the link works.

Dodge Might Axe Hellcat, HEMI V8s from SRTs in 2019

Peteh2833 · Mar 20, 2018

Black Pearl Hemi said:
I found this. I hope the link works.

Dodge Might Axe Hellcat, HEMI V8s from SRTs in 2019

Only good thing with that article was that it was from 2015 !!!!

Black Pearl Hemi · Mar 20, 2018

Ooops. My bad. Didn't notice the date. Just the article.

Chase300 · Mar 20, 2018

Since when have dealers been a reliable source???

Skippy426 · Mar 20, 2018

Peteh2833 said:
How are Chevy and Ford doing it with V8's ? Is it because they have 1 sport car each with a V8 ? Ford is the Mustang and Chevy Camaro. Is it because Dodge has a V8 Charger, Durango, Challenger and Demon ? The only V8's Ford has are in the Mustang and then the Trucks. I guess that would be why. You can't get a V8 in the Explorer or the Expedition.

They're plethora of NA and turbo 4 cylinders, NA v6, and turbo v6 engine options.

I'd take a turbo 6 over A NA v8 personally, except Dodge doesn't make one.

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Cannonball74 · Mar 20, 2018

mantis said:
I fear the day we are without an American V8 engine. Sad days ahead if that is true

Dodge pretty much had that in the early 80's to early 90s. The only v8's was in the trucks. Chevy only offered 8s in the caprice, camaro, vette, and trucks. Ford offered in ltd, mustang, and trucks. And other like branded off shoots. and for a while they were week v8s. 305, 307, 302.

DeaconBlue · Mar 21, 2018

I would not be surprised by FCA removing the 5.7L V8 from most if not all Durango models. They dropped the 5.7L V8 option from the Limited back in 2016 and have been trying to drop the 5.7L V8 from the Citadel as well. The only V8 in 2019 maybe the 6.4L in the SRT model. The 3.6L Pentastar although updated with improved VVT, has never been fitted with direct gas injection, cylinder deactivation or turbochargers, so its life will most likely be short lived as well. No reason to add an all new or high tech engine(s) to the 2019 Durango with the all new 2020 Durango going soon.

Also FCA maybe having real problems meeting CAFE ratings and/or buying credits from folks like Tesla to help off set missing the goal.

Chase300 · Mar 21, 2018

I hear a new 6 banger is in development at FCA..and inline 6.
Given the issues direct injection has, its a good thing the 3.6L stayed port injected. Look at the revisions Ford/GM/Toyota made to their direct injected engines adding port injection back on to combat the carbon buildup issue direct injected engines have.

The 5.7L needs an update...last one was back in 2009? with the Eagle version.
We now have NA V6's that are putting out close to the 5.7L hp and the turbo versions put out quite a bit more now in HP and TQ.
I would not be surprised to just see the 6.4L continue and the 5.7L replaced with a new turbo 6.

debugger · Mar 21, 2018

no V8, no R/T. I don't see a point of V6 R/T

Islandiver · Mar 21, 2018

While I love the sound of the Hemi, When I get in my brothers F-150 with the Eco boost V6 I'm always amazed at the hard hitting punch and acceleration off the line. The old phrase of there ain't no replacement for displacement no longer holds true. As I'm looking to update my wife's family truckester to a Pacifica I have been reading articles on people stating that FCA has the design's for DI and Turbo's for the 3.6L as they termed it "On the shelf" so who knows what's coming.

DeaconBlue · Mar 21, 2018

Chase300 said:
I hear a new 6 banger is in development at FCA..and inline 6.
Given the issues direct injection has, its a good thing the 3.6L stayed port injected. Look at the revisions Ford/GM/Toyota made to their direct injected engines adding port injection back on to combat the carbon buildup issue direct injected engines have.

They should have devised some type of factory fitted air/oil separator to the PVC systems. Thank goodness the aftermarket has offered catch cans for use in their absence.

End of the V8 Durango? Dealer news inside!

jonyorker

Peteh2833

jonyorker

Peteh2833

Skippy426

mantis

Wizard of Iz

Peteh2833

Peteh2833

Black Pearl Hemi

Peteh2833

Black Pearl Hemi

Chase300

Skippy426

Cannonball74

DeaconBlue

Chase300

debugger

Islandiver

DeaconBlue

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