Hello all.

This is my first post here.

I am looking at the buying a new Durango, but i have a few questions first.

Why does the Durango only have 360HP instead of 390HP like the ram?

Also i read the the Durango will be getting an eight speed tranny for 2012. Is this true?

I have tried searching for these answers but have had no luck.

Thanks for the help.

 

Don't know the answer for the HP question. As far as the tranny, according to this source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/06...nsmission.html it will be at least 2013 before the 8 speed shows up in the Durango.

At this point I would wait until the 2012 is announced and see if there are any options or new features that would make it worth waiting for. Otherwise you could possibly score a deal later this year on a 2011 that a dealer needs to get off his lot before the 2012's show up.

 

Should have read closer. Looks like 2013 is the date that the Kokomo plant will produce the tranny, they will import before then.

I still stand by my advice. See what 2012 will bring to the Durango and then make a decision.

 

The 2012 Durango, Ram 1500 and Grand Cherokee with the Hemi option are going to be getting 6spd trans. The 8spd is being used for v6 applications in rwd cars for 2012. That is the only difference I am aware of so far for the 2012 Durango. The order banks were suppose to open June 1st for the 2012 Durango, but I spoke to two dealers and they both said they still could not order a 2012. Once the order banks open dealers will know exactly what the new options for 2012 will be.

 

Just finished ordering a 2012 Citadel. The order banks are open and the V8 Durango does come with the 6spd. The V6 still is mated to the 5spd. Prices were not available yet, but orders can be placed. Some of the other differences the dealer mentioned for 2012 were that they dropped the CrewLux model and they listed a technology package option for the Citadel. The tech package items were cross path detection and radar assist cruise control which were both standard last year on the Citadel and are still listed as standard. So, I am not sure if this is a real option for the Citadel or not.

 

For 2012 do you know:

1. If the Express or Heat will have the 5.7 Hemi offered as an option ?
2. If the Heat will have the trailer tow package offered as an option ?

[quote=Murdock628;2520764]Just finished ordering a 2012 Citadel. The order banks are open and the V8 Durango does come with the 6spd. /quote]

 

I highly doubt there will be a V8 offered in the Heat or Express. The Express is their entry level model so I'm sure Dodge figures most people ordering a base model are not going to spring for a $2000 V8. That is why the V8 is offered in the Crew and higher level trim packages. As for a V8 in the Heat that will probably never happen either. The Heat is pretty much the V6 version of the R/T. By offering a V8 in the Heat, Dodge would be stealing sales from their higher priced and higher profit R/T.

I'm not sure about the tow package on the Heat. It is the only model of the Durango that is not available on, and the dealer did not mention anything about that changing for 2012.

 

Thanks for the detail. As my interest would be a "no 3rd row seat" Heat + V8 + towing package. I hope Dodge does the unexpected. Based upon a posting on wk2jeeps.com, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee base model (Laredo E) will have the V8 as an option which is not available on the 2011 Laredo.

 

None of those features/options show up as being available for the '12 Heat model.

 

the heat is aimed as a 'performance' v6 model dodge will most likely not be changing that so no v8 in the heat.