2019 Dodge Durango Pursuit. (FCA US Photo)
Last month, the Dodge brand announced their first big step to go after Ford's domination in the law enforcement fleet market. While the Dodge Charger is the number one selling police sedan, the law enforcement market like the consumer market is swaying to SUVs. Ford's Explorer Police Interceptor is the number one selling police vehicle and Dodge isn't going to wait on the sidelines.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Chrysler dominated the police car market. After the 1980s, Dodge's law enforcement fleets numbers fell off a cliff until the 2006 model year with the Dodge Charger. The Dodge Charger played second fiddle to the long proven and reliable body-on-frame Ford Crown Victoria until Ford axed the legend in 2011. Dodge then controlled the sedan market in the segment after, however in the past four years over half of all law enforcement fleet purchases have been SUVs.
Dodge has offered a Durango Special Service Vehicle (SSV) package for since 2011, but it was never quite what law enforcement agencies wanted. The 2019 Dodge Durango Pursuit features a new front fascia with integrated brake-cooling air ducts for improved brake performance and durability. Durango Pursuit also now features a performance-tuned, load-leveling suspension to bolster control and stability, enhancing its Pursuit-level driving capabilities.
The 2019 Dodge Durango Pursuit offers the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine rated at 293 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque or the available 5.7L HEMI V-8 rated at a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. All Durango Pursuit models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). Dodge Durango Pursuit V-8 models include the segment’s most technologically advanced AWD system with a segment-exclusive active transfer case to improve real-world fuel economy while also enhancing the vehicle’s traction and handling.
Additional highlights for 2019 include a performance-tuned suspension, load-leveling NIVOMAT shocks, 13.8-inch front and 13-inch rear pursuit-rated brake package, front- and rear-stabilizer bars and 18-inch tires on aluminum wheels. Other highlights include ParkView rear backup camera with ParkSense, spot lamp wiring prep package, red/white auxiliary dome lamp, 220-amp alternator, 800 cold cranking amp (CCA) battery (with V-8 engine only), heavy-duty oil cooler and water pump, power locking fuel filler door, 8-way power adjusting driver seat controls, certified speedometer and class-exclusive K-9-friendly Tri-Zone interior control.
The 2019 Dodge Durango Pursuit joins the Charger Pursuit later this summer.
