How long has it been since what used to be Fiat Chrysler Automobiles leveraged its DaimlerChrysler-era technical expertise to develop the WD-series Dodge Durango? The current Durango, namely the third generation since 1997, rolled out in 2010 for the 2011 model year with WK2-series Jeep Cherokee underpinnings. Both utility vehicles are related to the W166 M-Class and X166 GL-Class.
There's no denying that Stellantis (the company formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and French automaker Groupe PSA) needs to redesign the Durango from the ground up. According to FCA US LLC's latest agreement with the United Auto Workers, the Detroit Assembly Complex will keep churning out Durangos through 2025. The WD will be ultimately replaced in 2026 by the D6U, which – as per the agreement – will enter production in 2026 with ICE and BEV versions alike.
It's easy to imagine Stellantis using the Giorgio platform of the WL-series Grand Cherokee for the all-new Durango, but hold on a bit. With Stellantis focused on electrifying its entire lineup – regardless of continent – a BEV-centric platform seems more likely. The agreement further lists the next-gen Grand Cherokee for 2027 under the J6U codename with ICE and BEV versions as well.
Otherwise put, both the Durango and Grand Cherokee will switch to the only vehicle architecture that supports their footprints, that platform being the STLA Large. This architecture will debut with the next-gen Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, which will be assembled in Canada.
Rather than Brampton Assembly Plant, which is gearing up for the next-gen Jeep Compass on the STLA Medium, the Charger and 300 will be produced at Windsor Assembly Plant. This information comes courtesy of Unifor's latest labor agreement with Stellantis Canada.
Photo: Dodge
That said, the Dodge brand won't allow the soon-to-be-discontinued WD to go out with a whimper. Similar to the L-platform Charger and Challenger, the Durango prepares for a yearlong celebration of the HEMI with Last Call special editions. The first Last Call special edition of the bunch is called SRT 392 AlcHEMI, but contrary to its name, it doesn't run methanol injection for more power.
Limited to 1,000 units and four colors (White Knuckle, Vapor Gray, Destroyer Gray, and Diamond Black), the AlcHEMI features the same ol' 6.4-liter HEMI that enthusiasts refer to as the 392 after its displacement in cubic inches. Rated at 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) of torque, the 392 is no 6.2-liter Hellcat V8. However, 4.4 seconds to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) and 12.9 seconds in the quarter isn't shabby.
Capable of towing 8,700 pounds (3,946 kilograms), the AlcHEMI includes Brembo-supplied brakes with yellow calipers, 20- by 10-inch forged wheels in Satin Black, yellow and black for the 392 fender decals, textured exterior stripes with yellow borders, Midnight Metallic badging, yellow and silver stitching, black exhaust tips, leather and suede on the steering wheel, and the 392 logo embroidered on the seatbacks. The final touch comes in the form of forged carbon-fiber garnish for the interior.
Late February 2024 is when prospective customers will be offered the opportunity to reserve the limited-run AlcHEMI, with production scheduled to start in April 2024. The first units will arrive in dealer showrooms in May 2024. The AlcHEMI costs $3,595 over the $86,200 starting price of the Durango SRT 392 Premium grade. Dodge has also confirmed that production of V8-powered Durango models, including the Hellcat, will wrap up by the end of 2024. The Last Call series, which will eventually welcome 2025 model year members, will include at least one special edition with Hellcat muscle.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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