Most police SUVs are built to carry officers, equipment, and occasionally someone having a very bad day. The Texas Department of Public Safety, however, has added something to its fleet that could give even the most enthusiastic speeders a reason to reconsider their life choices.
It’s a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, complete with police markings, emergency lights, and a supercharged V8 producing 710 horsepower. Yes, Texas police now have access to an SUV with enough power to embarrass plenty of dedicated sports cars.
The department recently showed off its new addition on the Texas DPS North Texas Region Facebook page. Its announcement was brief, although the accompanying photographs certainly did most of the talking.
There’s one important question the department hasn’t answered, however. Is this monstrous Dodge actually going to chase suspects down Texas highways, or is it destined for a quieter life making appearances at community events?
A Hellcat With a Badge
Finished in black, the Durango wears Texas DPS graphics on its doors and a substantial push bar up front. Emergency lights are mounted around the front end and near the windshield, although there’s no traditional roof-mounted light bar.
The department hasn’t revealed the vehicle’s interior or its intended assignment, which means there’s no confirmation whether it’s equipped for regular patrol duties, highway enforcement, or public outreach.
Not Your Average Police SUV
Under the hood sits Dodge’s familiar supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, producing 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. That’s an enormous amount of muscle for a three-row SUV, let alone one wearing a police badge.
The Durango SRT Hellcat can reach a factory-rated top speed of 180 mph. Its all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission help put that power to the pavement, although none of this confirms the Texas DPS intends to use its full performance potential.
Plenty of Power, Plenty of Fuel
Of course, running a Hellcat isn’t exactly cheap. With a combined fuel-economy rating of approximately 13 mpg, the Durango could make an ordinary police SUV look downright economical.
There’s also the question of practicality. Conventional police vehicles are generally selected with durability, operating costs, equipment integration, and fleet support in mind, rather than their ability to win a drag race.
The Internet Has Some Comments
Unsurprisingly, the Texas DPS’s new toy has attracted plenty of attention on Facebook, and the comments are hilarious. One user questioned the Durango’s dark windows, writing, “But if I had that window tint, I’d be the problem, huh.”
Others couldn’t resist poking fun at the Hellcat’s enormous appetite for fuel. One commenter joked, “Just gotta outrun it long enough for it runs out of gas,” while another offered a reminder that horsepower isn’t everything: “It’s the radio that ya can’t outrun.”
Some couldn’t resist pointing out the irony of the department’s announcement: “‘All that horsepower’ and ‘public safety’ in the same line lol,” and “Ohhh, but when I have horsepower, it’s not public safety.” Judging by the comments, Texas DPS has already succeeded in getting everyone’s attention.