Musclecar Mania: Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
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Chevrolet has just released the jaw-dropping figures for its 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which boasts an astonishing 1,064 horsepower, and that’s just the beginning of an episode that should warm the heart of every musclecar fan. On top of the Corvette news, Stellantis has announced that it will continue to build and market HEMI V8-powered Dodge Durangos, and by some weird twist of fate, Host Jack Nerad just drove a Durango and he will share his recent Chicago area road test experience in the 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.

The survival of the Durango is good news for enthusiasts, because it’s a powerhouse that continues to dominate the performance three-row SUV segment. With its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine producing a staggering 710 horsepower, the Durango SRT Hellcat offers explosive performance that gets drivers from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. This robust SUV combines thrilling acceleration with practicality, having the ability to tow up to 8,700 pounds and comfortably seat up to six passengers.

Also featured in our road test segment this week Co-Host Chris Teague evaluates the 2025 Acura MDX, a luxury SUV that enhances both comfort and capability. With a refined interior that prioritizes quality and space, the MDX provides seating for up to seven and is loaded with tech features, including a large touchscreen interface for its infotainment system. Under the hood, the MDX offers the choice of two dynamic V6 engines that can deliver engaging driving experiences while maintaining reasonable fuel efficiency. Its all-wheel-drive system instills on-road confidence, but can it stand up to the cruelties of a Maine winter? We’ll have Teague’s practiced opinion on the matter.

In the news this week, Stellantis is making headlines with the installation of former Dodge executive Tim Kuniskis as head of the brand and important updates to its forthcoming product plans. The battery-electric Ram pickup has been delayed while Ram pushes the Ramcharger forward, relying on its interesting range-extender tech to gain much-needed traction in the full-size pickup segment.

On a more mainstream tack, we’ll also review the pluses and minuses of the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, a finalist for the North American Car of the Year award, which will be announced next month. Meanwhile, Nissan has made some changes to the battery-electric Ariya that make it more appealing than ever.

This week, our special guest is Maggie Clark, a Toyota product specialist, who shares insights on new Toyota models like the 2025 Crown Signia and Land Cruiser.

Listener Question of the Week

And, as always, we want to hear from you. Join us for our listener question segment where we tackle a practical query about whether it’s better to repair or replace your aging vehicle.

Special Offer

Jack is gifting free copies of his book, The GR Factor: Unleashing the Undeniable Power of the Golden Rule. Email [email protected] to claim yours while supplies last!

Brought to you by:

• DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark.

So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube) and Rumble) channels. Please subscribe. If you do we’ll like you forever.

)America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE) on Amazon.com

Keywords automotive news, Corvette ZR1, Dodge Durango, Ram Trucks, Honda Civic Hybrid, Acura MDX, Toyota Crown Signia, Land Cruiser, performance SUVs, electric vehicles

Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest automotive news, including the impressive performance figures of the 2025 Corvette ZR1 and the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. They also delve into the challenges faced by Stellantis and Ram Trucks regarding electric vehicle production. The Honda Civic Hybrid is highlighted as a contender for the North American Car of the Year, while the hosts share their experiences road testing the Acura MDX Type S and Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. The episode concludes with a listener question about whether to repair or replace an aging vehicle.

Takeaways The Corvette ZR1 boasts a staggering 1064 horsepower. Dodge continues to innovate with the Durango SRT Hellcat. Stellantis faces challenges in the electric vehicle market. The Honda Civic Hybrid is a strong contender for North American Car of the Year. Performance SUVs are becoming increasingly popular. The Acura MDX Type S offers a refined driving experience. Dodge’s special editions may be seen as milking the brand. Electric range extender technology is gaining traction. Fuel economy in hybrids is improving significantly.

Chapters 00:00   Introduction and Holiday Cheer 07:53   Driving News: Stellantis and Ram Trucks, Electric Future and Delays 14:26   Road Testing Performance SUVs: Acura MDX Type S and Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat 26:45  Interview with Toyota Crown Signia and Land Cruiser expert Maggie Clark 39:41   Listener Question: Should I repair my current car or replace it?