Dodge lately doubled down on bringing again the Hemi, dropping the bottom V6 and placing a V8 underneath the hood of each 2026 Durango. Nonetheless, there’s a catch. Dodge confirmed to Mopar Insiders that the R/T 392 and SRT Hellcat trims won’t be obtainable in CARB-compliant states. Which means solely the bottom Durango GT shall be obtainable in California and states that comply with its extra strict emission requirements than the federal pointers.
The Durango GT is nothing to sneeze at. It now will get the 5.7-liter V8 that used to return solely within the R/T, making 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, will increase of 65 hp and 130 lb-ft in comparison with the outdated GT’s 3.6-liter V6. Its 0-to-60-mph time is decreased from 7.4 to six.2 seconds. With a beginning value of $44,490 together with vacation spot, Stellantis says it is “probably the most reasonably priced AWD V8 automobile within the trade.” However that is not sufficient for some folks. Dodge supplied Mopar Insiders with the next assertion:
The HEMI-powered Durango R/T 392 and the Durango SRT HELLCAT can be found in non-CARB states. We’re persevering with to guage the chance to supply the complete V8-powered Durango lineup to all clients.
In different phrases, the R/T 392’s 475-hp 6.4-liter V8 and the SRT Hellcat’s 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8, in addition to the quite a few upgrades moreover the engine in these greater trim ranges, at the moment are unobtainium for a lot of potential clients.
CARB states get the quick finish of the stick, once more
This is not the primary time Stellantis has put the brakes on for CARB states. In 2023, Stellantis withheld gas-only autos from CARB-compliant states, delivering solely EVs to seller heaps until gasoline guzzlers have been specifically ordered. (On the time, Stellantis had dropped the Hemi like a sizzling potato and was all-in on EVs earlier than reversing that call underneath new administration.) This brought on a scarcity of electrical fashions in the remainder of the nation, ensuing within the reverse state of affairs of CARB states, the place a particular order was the one strategy to get an EV.
CARB’s Superior Clear Automobiles II rules take impact for the 2026 mannequin 12 months, and it appears that evidently Stellantis cannot, or will not, get the larger Hemis to cross its stricter emission requirements. That signifies that these engines won’t be obtainable to clients in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Individuals should look to the used market for an upgraded Durango with these larger engines.
The Trump Administration is making an attempt to ban California’s capability to set its personal emission coverage. Nonetheless, that matter has been tied up within the courtroom system since California instantly sued the federal authorities over it. Maybe Stellantis is holding out for a federal victory, which means a cleaner CARB-compliant tune for its larger Hemis will not be crucial, as a result of who wants clear air, anyway?
