Hey all,

My wife just purchased a new left over 2011 Durango RT. The numbers claim 360hp. I've a 2011 Ford F150 5.0 Supercab rated at 360hp also, and there seems to be a night/day difference between the acceleration of these two vehicles. The Durango seems to be a real dog in the acceleration department.

Any thoughts on this? I really expected there to be some 'hit'. Don't get me wrong, it's faster than the V6, but at 360hp, i just expected it to be at least similar to my Ford.

Appreciated!

 

A few hundred lbs, different gearing... The hemi rams feel faster than the durango as w

 

A few hundred lbs, different gearing... The hemi rams feel faster than the durango as well, anxiously awaiting a tune of some kind but in the interim an exhaust and intake help a bit... Good luck and welcome!

 

2nd that on the gearing. The transmission, despite 6 gears, leaves a lot to be desired. 1st is too high a gear for off the line starting and 2nd too low for downshifting at low highway speeds. Seems to me the ratios were not designed to maximize the torque of the Hemi but instead has fuel economy in mind. I had a 2004 VW Touareg SUV with the 4.2 ltr V8 which had a 6 speed auto and that thing was not only rated faster then the Durango in 0-60 but you felt it too. Of course that was a $55K vehicle in 10 year old money (bought in 12/2003) and for me was getting dated and a maintenance nightmare waiting to happen.

I find it interesting the consumer reports review of the Durango they point out that the platform is shared with the Mercedes R and L class - both have a naturally aspirated V6 mated to the 8speed tranny. This yields them better 0-60 and quarter mile times then the Durango. If the sluggish transmission in the D is not for fuel economy then it's to make the folks who buy the same vehicle under the merc emblem feel like they got what they paid for.

Cheers