Texas DPS adds high-performance SUV

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat to its fleet in the North Texas Region. This vehicle is notable for its powerful V8 HEMI 6.2-liter supercharged engine, capable of reaching a top speed of 290 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds. The DPS shared the news on its Facebook page with a message emphasizing the vehicle's role in public safety.

SUV far exceeds standard patrol models

The Durango SRT Hellcat is significantly more powerful than typical patrol SUVs. Standard models used by law enforcement usually have either a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing about 293 horsepower or a 5.7-liter V8 engine with around 360 horsepower. The Hellcat version, by contrast, has nearly double the power, making it a standout in terms of performance.

High performance comes with high costs

The Durango SRT Hellcat has a fuel efficiency of around 14 miles per gallon, which is lower than less powerful Durango models. The vehicle also carries a price tag of approximately 75,000 euros, much higher than other patrol SUVs such as the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility. This makes the Hellcat a costly addition to the DPS fleet.

DPS has used Hellcat models before

This is not the first time the DPS has used a Hellcat model. In 2022, a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye 2020 was converted into a police car after it was impounded. It was used for community events, traffic monitoring, and law enforcement in the Houston area. The Durango SRT Hellcat appears to follow a similar strategy of using high-performance vehicles for visibility and intervention.