Dodge-Durango-Blacktop_651

Dodge has announced the addition of the popular Blacktop Appearance Package to the award-winning 2014 Durango three-row SUV. Now with the addition of the Durango the package can be found on seven 2014 Dodge models including the Charger, Challenger, Avenger, Dart, Journey and Grand Caravan.

The main function of the Blacktop Appearance Package is to bring a distinctive, sporty and sinister look to the vehicles that make use of it. It features unique Gloss Black 20-inch aluminum wheels, dual rear exhaust with bright tips offering 295 horsepower (217 kW) with the V6 engine and 360 horsepower (265 kW) with the HEMI® V-8 engine, a Gloss Black crosshair grille with matching grille surround, Gloss Black side mirrors, Gloss Black exterior badging, black headlamp bezels, body color fascia and moldings, and five options for exterior paint colors. The Blacktop Appearance Package is available on Durango SXT, Limited and R/T models.

"The rear-wheel-drive based Dodge Durango is already one of a kind. It stands out as the Charger of the three-row SUV segment," said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO - Dodge Brand and SRT Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Now with Blacktop Package, customers can make it even more unique, and it's customized by the factory."

Apart from the Blacktop Package, the new 2014 Dodge Durango offers a number of improvements that include a new standard eight-speed automatic transmission, better fuel economy and performance, new LED exterior lighting, an internal 5-inch or 8.4-inch touch screen, a new programmable instrument cluster and a high-definition dual-display Blu-Ray entertainment system.

The Blacktop Package now applies to the Dodge Durango SXT, Limited and R/T models but there is some differentiation when it comes to the extras included. To the SXT models the Blacktop Package adds Gloss Black 20-inch aluminum wheels, dual rear exhaust with bright tips, Gloss Black crosshair grille with matching grille surround, Gloss Black side mirrors, Gloss Black badging, black headlamp bezels, and body-color fascias and moldings. Blacktop is available for a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of only USD 1,590 MSRP.

On Limited models, the Blacktop Package includes all of the above content, plus HID headlamps and LED daytime running lights (DRLs), to complement its premium leather interior, for a starting U.S. MSRP of USD 1,990.

On the R/T, the Blacktop Package adds Gloss Black 20-inch aluminum wheels, Gloss Black crosshair grille with matching grille surround and Gloss Black badging for a U.S. MSRP of USD 295.

There's some difference in the engines too, when it comes to the different versions of the 2014 Durango Blacktop Package. The Dodge Durango SXT Blacktop and Limited Blacktop editions come with the Durango standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and dual exhaust with active intake, a new standard eight-speed automatic transmission and 295 horsepower (217 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque. This engine can also tow up to 6,200 pounds (2814 kilograms) and achieves up to 25 miles per gallon (9.4 liters per 100 km), which means it can cover up to 600 miles (960 km) on a single tank of gasoline.

The Dodge Durango R/T Blacktop comes with a standard 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 engine that produces 360 horsepower (265 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. (529 Nm) of torque with a best-in-class tow rating of 7,400 pounds (3360 kilograms). In addition to that the engine features the so-called Fuel Saver Technology which can deactivate cylinders. Thus when less power is needed the engine can operate as a standard 4-cylinder engine and when more power is needed it can work as a V8 engine. The fuel economy in the latter case reaches 23 miles per gallon (10.2 liters per 100 km).

Source: Dodge