The Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey, recently played host to a pure display of Mopar muscle as three heavy hitters from the Stellantis family lined up for a quarter-mile duel. Among them were a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, and a Dodge Charger Scat Pack — all eager to prove which still carried the most bite in a lineup facing an uncertain future.
For Stellantis’ American brands, the contest felt symbolic. Ram is regaining momentum with the return of its 5.7-liter Hemi and a revived TRX, while Jeep has found renewed attention with its hybrid Cherokee and refreshed Grand Wagoneer. Dodge and Chrysler, however, are still waiting for a comeback moment, as Dodge banks on its new Hurricane-powered Charger to spark excitement after the mixed reaction to its electric Daytona.
On the strip, though, brand struggles fade away. What matters is horsepower, traction, and timing. The matchup between the Jeep and the Durango Hellcat was especially tight — both powered by supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engines producing around 700 horsepower. The Durango launched more cleanly, edging out the Trackhawk with a blistering 11.02-second run at 129 mph, while the Jeep followed at 11.43 seconds and 120 mph.
In a later face-off, the same Trackhawk met a green Dodge Charger Scat Pack. This time, the Jeep dominated, matching its 11.43-second pass against the Charger’s slower 13.03-second run.
For enthusiasts, it was a reminder that even as Stellantis reshapes its lineup with hybrid and turbocharged technology, the roar of supercharged V8s — and the thrill of a head-to-head drag race — still define the Mopar spirit.
