New 2018 Dodge Durango SRT Named to Wards 10 Best User Experience List

New 2018 Dodge Durango SRT Named to Wards 10 Best User Experience List

New 2018 Dodge Durango SRT Named to Wards 10 Best User Experience List

Going beyond the new ultimate performance and utility capabilities for a 475-horsepower, three-row SUV, the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT now is being recognized for its advanced technology and ease-of-use as the editors at WardsAuto have named the new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT to the Wards 10 Best User Experience List for 2017.

Aggressive, functional and luxurious inside and out, the 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is loaded with an array of technology advancements, innovative and easy-to-use features and services designed to keep consumers connected, engaged and informed, while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

“The Dodge Durango SRT presents a dazzling array of graphical elements, including a smoky SRT animation at startup and shutdown, a slick 3-D navigation map and an equally colorful TFT gauge cluster,” said Tom Murphy, Senior Editor of WardsAuto. “An SRT button at the base of the center stack triggers a series of Performance Pages to help drivers tap into the vehicle’s prodigious performance and set the transmission, stability control, suspension, steering and all-wheel-drive systems to their liking.

“Drivers who want launch control and active Christmas tree lights for a little drag racing have it all at their fingertips,” Murphy continued. “So are adaptive cruise control, other driver-assistance technologies and real-time news, traffic and weather linkups that make the Durango SRT a great daily driver.”

To select the best of the best, WardsAuto editors evaluated the overall user experience of 23 vehicles, rating them on user-friendliness, infotainment features, sound systems, vehicle connectivity, driver assistance technology, information/displays, system compatibility and materials.

New 2018 Dodge Durango SRT Named to Wards 10 Best User Experience List

“The new Dodge Durango SRT not only delivers a 4.4-second 0-60 time and 8,700-pound towing capability, it also delivers an updated interior with all the latest technology, including SRT Performance Pages and the ability to support smartphone integrations of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “Wards recognition is further validation from third-party influencers that the new Dodge Durango SRT delivers best-in-class performance, innovative technology and functional, easy-to-use features.”

The Dodge Durango SRT debuts with the new Uconnect fourth-generation system that includes performance improvements with faster startup time, enhanced processing power and the class-exclusive Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen display that houses the new SRT Performance Pages along with Uconnect Navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM Guardian connected services, HD Radio, and 5-year trial of SiriusXM Travel Link and Traffic.

Personalization is made even easier with a newly designed 7-inch, thin-film transistor (TFT) customizable digital instrument gauge cluster with 180-mph speedometer that allows drivers to select from a multitude of layouts and information.

The 2018 Dodge Durango offers consumers more than 60 available safety and security features, including standard all-speed traction control and ESC, which improve overall vehicle handling and performance both on- and off-road. Standard trailer-sway control enhances towing capabilities and keeps the vehicle and trailer aligned as the Durango travels down the road.

Available safety and security features include forward collision warning with crash mitigation, adaptive cruise control with stop, Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, which aid drivers when changing lanes or in parking lot situations. Uconnect with SiriusXM Guardian connected services includes SOS Calling, Roadside Assistance Calling, Stolen Vehicle Assistance and Theft Alarm Notification. In addition, standard front-row active head restraints, standard full-length three-row side-curtain air bags and standard front-seat-mounted side thorax air bags offer enhanced occupant protection to passengers in the event of a collision. In total, Durango offers seven standard airbags.

courtesy: media.fcanorthamerica.com

Sonoma Wine Country Does Not Bear Fruit For Dodge And Mopar

Sonoma Wine Country Does Not Bear Fruit For Dodge And Mopar

Sonoma Wine Country Does Not Bear Fruit For Dodge And Mopar

There is beautiful wine country surrounding Sonoma Raceway in California, but Dodge and Mopar® drivers will not be sorry to leave. Jack Beckman set the pace for Mopar this weekend at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, turning in a valiant effort in his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car with a semifinal appearance.

Yet, despite Beckman’s best attempt, the Sonoma event ended a streak of 11 consecutive final-round appearances by Mopar Dodge Funny Cars in 2017. It was also the first time this year that neither a HEMI®-powered Funny Car nor Top Fuel dragster from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) appeared in at least one category final round.

However, Mopar Funny Cars still have claimed 12 of 15 event wins on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule this season, while Mopar Top Fuel machines have four wins to their credit.

At Sonoma, Beckman first drove his Mopar Dodge from DSR past Jonnie Lindberg on a clean pass in the first round when the young Swedish driver had issues at the hit of the throttle. Beckman next took down Del Worsham in round two, despite an explosion as the car crossed the finish line. Beckman gave up lane choice to J.R. Todd in the semis, but still looked like he had the race won when Todd smoked the tires at the starting line. Beckman’s car slowed as he worked his way down the track though, allowing eventual event winner Todd to make a come-from-behind pass for the win and end Beckman’s march.

Also in Funny Car, Tommy Johnson Jr. and his Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T team from DSR began their day by defeating teammate Ron Capps in the first round for the second week in a row. Johnson next matched up against Courtney Force in round two, where each driver struggled to find traction at the starting line. Both pedaled but Force ultimately turned on the win light.

Matt Hagan, meanwhile, went out in the first round after smoking the tires in his Mopar 80th/Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car. He fell to Del Worsham even as Worsham also struggled to get down track.

In the Top Fuel ranks, Leah Pritchett set a track record during qualifying to earn No. 1 honors. She defeated Terry Haddock in her Papa John’s Pizza/Mopar Pennzoil dragster from DSR during round one, but dropped cylinders forced her to bow out in the second round to Terry McMillen.

Pritchett’s Mopar-powered Top Fuel teammate, eight-time champion Tony Schumacher, smoked the tires in his U.S. Army car when the light turned green in the first round. He tried to pedal but eventually was forced to give up and was upset by Scott Palmer. Even with the team’s recent struggles, Schumacher still secured a spot in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs during the weekend.

courtesy: www.drivesrt.com