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Dodge Durango could get eTorque mild hybrid system in 2020

The 2020 Dodge Durango appears slated to get a mild-hybrid powertrain option. That's the word from moparinsiders.com, which unearthed the news from documents relating to contract negotiation between the FCA and the UAW. Although the documents give no further details, it's a pretty safe bet that we're talking about Chrysler's eTorque mild-hybrid system, which was introduced on the Ram 1500 pickup and has since been extended to the Jeep Wrangler. Currently, the Wrangler offers the eTorque system on the 2.0-liter inline-four and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, both on the Sahara model only, while the Ram 1500 makes the mild-hybrid system standard with the 3.6-liter V6 and an option with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The V6 eTorque powertrain makes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque (Ram) or 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet (Wrangler). The Wrangler's four-cylinder eTorque is good for 270 horses and 295 lb-ft. The V8 version in the Ram is good for 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. In all cases, the eTorque system does not increase peak output over the standard version of the gasoline engine. The mild-hybrid system does provide a minor fuel-economy boost. In the Wrangler, the 3.6-liter with eTorque has EPA city estimates that are 1 mpg better than without the system. On the Ram's V8, eTorque adds 2 mpg city and 1 mpg highway. (The 2.0-liter sees no improvement in its EPA ratings.) It's not known whether the Durango will add eTorque to its V6, or V8, or both. Either engine could do with a fuel-economy boost, as the V6 is EPA rated at 19/26 mpg city/highway (RWD) and 18/25 mpg (AWD), while the V8 version has estimates of 14/22 mpg. Related Video:

Speedkore roaring into SEMA with twin-turbo AWD Charger Hellcat Widebody

Speedkore Performance is nowhere near finished with the Dodge Charger. At last year's SEMA show, the Wisconsin-based tuner showed a 1970 Charger Evolution with carbon and aluminum body panels, and a 996-horsepower Hellcat engine yoked to a six-speed transmission. This year the company teased a profile rendering of a 2020 Charger Hellcat Widebody on Facebook with the line, "All we're going to say is this all-wheel drive, twin-turbo, widebody Charger is going to be unveiled at the Magnaflow booth." Mopar Insiders extracted a tad more information, the first being that we're in for another tuned version of the 6.2-liter Demon Hemi V8 that's swapped its supercharger for twin turbos, and produces more than 1,000 horsepower. Last year, alongside that 1970 Charger, Speedkore unveiled a twin-turbo Hellcat-powered Demon making almost 1,400 horsepower. We don't know yet if this year's Charger will match that output — or exceed it — but we have a benchmark. An all-wheel-drive powertrain divides those horses so the tires have a chance of conquering them. Speedkore's mum on the mechanicals; the firm could have swiped a Grand Cherokee Trackhawk AWD unit and beefed it up, or created its own system.  Some of the steel body panels get carbon fiber replacements, and see those two holes in he front wheel arch? Those are exhaust outlets. MagnaFlow created a custom exhaust with a driver-selectable switch to port gases out the front, say at the track when decibels don't matter, or to send waste through MagnaFlow mufflers and out the rear pipes when silence is required.  The reveal happens at the Magnaflow booth in SEMA's Central Hall on November 5. Those that can't make the show can watch the reveal on MagnaFlowÂ’s Facebook page.

Tech of the Year special, plus we drive the hydrogen Mirai and more | Autoblog Podcast #809

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor James Riswick and Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. They kick the discussion off by talking about what they've been driving as of late, including the Toyota Mirai, Dodge Hornet, Alfa Romeo Tonale and a trio of subcompact SUVs. After that, they dive into a discussion about the 2023 Autoblog Technology of the Year award winner, which is Mercedes-Benz's Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio. Once they wrap up that segment, we get to hear the crew's latest Cybertruck takes from before the big reveal. Finally, the show wraps up with a fun Spend My Money segment. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #809 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving 2023 Toyota Mirai 2023 Dodge Hornet 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale 2024 Chevy Trax 2024 Kia Seltos 2024 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Technology of the Year winner and breakdown News Cybertruck preview Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: Green Podcasts Alfa Romeo Chevrolet Dodge Kia Mazda Mercedes-Benz Toyota Technology Infotainment Technology of the Year Crossover SUV Electric Luxury Performance Sedan Podcasts