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This article should make everyone happy. Or not if you are not a fan of dropping their V8 for an Inline Six
Confirmed: Next-Gen Dodge Charger Will Keep Gas Engine
The rumors are true: Dodge isn’t done with gas-powered muscle cars yet, and the next-gen Charger will get an inline-six engine
Since the moment Dodge rolled out the electric Charger Daytona SRT concept car in 2022 and proclaimed it was done making gas-powered muscle cars, people have wondered: Really? Dodge, builder of supercharged V8s and seller of over two million Challengers and Chargers, is just going to stop? As it turns out, no. Rumors have swirled about this for a while, and now The Drive can report that the next-generation Dodge Charger will offer both a full-electric version and a gas version powered by the company's 3.0-liter "Hurricane" twin-turbo inline-six engine.This news comes to us by way of a source connected to a supplier with firsthand information of Dodge's production plans. The source agreed to speak about the next-gen Charger program in exchange for anonymity and shared a number of details confirming their identity and position. We'll only be publishing the most significant information about the car.
"They're keeping gasoline engines. The official designation for the vehicle platform is LB and it will have the new GME-T6 Hurricane inline-six in RWD and AWD," the source said. "It will be using the Stellantis Gen 4 transmission that's also rolling out to Mack Assembly, Jefferson North Assembly, and Toledo North."
To recap, the current Dodge Charger and Challenger and their Hemi V8s go out of production at the end of 2023, and Dodge has made a big deal out of that being the end of the road for gas-powered muscle cars. It even shot down reports that the next-gen models would get an internal combustion option by saying, and I quote, "the story is incorrect... the next generation will be BEV." Then CEO Tim Kuniskis copped that the STLA Large platform underpinning the new car could technically accommodate both electric and gas powertrains, but claimed that wasn't the plan. Well, turns out it is. Can't let the Ford Mustang have all the fun for the rest of the decade.
Our source can only confirm the standard output inline-six being on tap, which puts out 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque in its current Jeep applications. They noted there's no manufacturing reason the high output version, rated at 510 hp and 500 lb-ft, can't be dropped in too. We certainly expect it will, especially given the Ford Mustang currently tops out with a 500-hp Coyote V8 in the Dark Horse model.
The Charger's Gen 4 transmission is a new version of the venerable eight-speed automatic; sadly, there's no sign of a manual, nor of the rumored "updated" V8. We also can't confirm how closely the final design sticks to the look of the concept, or if the gas and electric versions are visually distinct.
Both the gas and electric Dodge Charger will be built at Windsor Assembly in Canada, where our source says retooling is already well underway, on the same lines as the next Chrysler Pacifica. Here's where we should acknowledge one point of confusion: what's happening to the Challenger name? Right now the Challenger is a coupe and the Charger a sedan, while the Charger Daytona SRT EV concept is a coupe with a very sedan-like roofline. It was speculated that the production version would have four doors, but then those leaked body shell photos pictured above showed a proper coupe, and our source says that is indeed the Charger, so... we'll see.
As for what to make of Dodge's past denials about a gas engine, well, a cynic would say the hype around the Charger Daytona SRT concept reveal and the Charger/Challenger Last Call models might've been different if people knew a six-cylinder sequel was coming. We won't know for sure until Dodge publicly reveals the car, likely sometime next year.
The all-aluminum inline-six is capable of big power; the high-output version has a completely forged bottom end and is set to be a favorite for tuners. Stellantis already plans to offer a 1,000-horsepower crate version of the engine. But will it have the same cultural resonance with enthusiasts as the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8? We've already seen a Ram TRX running around testing the Hurricane engine, and it is a little odd to hear anything but the thrum of a V8 coming from that tailpipe. Then again, maybe people will just be happy Dodge isn't waving the white flag on internal combustion just yet.
I wouldn't buy one no matter what's in them. Where I live all the criminals and drug dealers drive them. Nothing says "I steal or sideshow for a living" like a Charger SRT
In the context of the sister company Maserati GranTurismo offering both gas and electric powertrains, this makes sense. That car also only comes with a six-cylinder.
In the context of the sister company Maserati GranTurismo offering both gas and electric powertrains, this makes sense. That car also only comes with a six-cylinder.
Agreed. And, keep in mind that in-line-sixes were once offered in many BMWs and the Lexus IS300.....but not with this kind of HP and torque.
In the context of the sister company Maserati GranTurismo offering both gas and electric powertrains, this makes sense. That car also only comes with a six-cylinder.
Not much of a real comparison there. The Maserati has a V6 and is riding on a modified Giorgio platform. The Charger has the Hurricane I6 and is on STLA Large. The difference is evident in the battery layouts for the two platforms. Maserati isn’t tied together to the American brands in the way that it was before.
What they do have in common is an understanding that their customers aren’t all in on EVs yet.
Originally Posted by RNM GS3
They better figure out how to make a new Hemi V8.
Make zero sense to only offer an Inline 6 when V8 is what sells.
I know for sure there’s no development going on for a new V8. What I suspect is the 6.4L V8 will be around for longer though in certain applications not including this next gen Charger.
No surprise at all. 100% of those who drive these today are destroying streets and disrupting sleep for all with illegal and ghetto street take-overs. That clan does not care or want electric.
I wouldn't buy one no matter what's in them. Where I live all the criminals and drug dealers drive them. Nothing says "I steal or sideshow for a living" like a Charger SRT
Absolutely the case. Pathetic car, pathetic following. A true embrrassment and shame to a car company and heritage.
Absolutely the case. Pathetic car, pathetic following. A true embrrassment and shame to a car company and heritage.
I see you're from California like me, so you know what I'm talking about. It's the favorite car in the ghettos of East Oakland and South LA, and a favorite used in car jackings, retail thefts and street takeovers. How they afford them, only God knows. I wouldn't get caught dead with one
^
Plenty of idiots driving BMWs, Hondas, etc
Every popular car has a group that does it disservice.
There are plenty of great Dodge owners and Mopar has a huge following. The idiots on social media are small percentage of the actual ppl that buy these muscle cars.
^
Plenty of idiots driving BMWs, Hondas, etc
Every popular car has a group that does it disservice.
There are plenty of great Dodge owners and Mopar has a huge following. The idiots on social media are small percentage of the actual ppl that buy these muscle cars.
I have no doubt there are a few good and decent Charger owners. The key word here is "few"
Oh boy, AWD and a B58 type engine......I can't possibly see this going wrong.
On the upside more people will blow them up due to abuse since unlike the hemi a turbo engine will not tolerate it. At least power potential will be massive, the base engine will likely be Hellcat level and the AWD system will finally allow it to launch
Agreed. And, keep in mind that in-line-sixes were once offered in many BMWs and the Lexus IS300.....but not with this kind of HP and torque.
Still offered in nearly every ICE vehicle that BMW makes, and the top factory tune is rated at 543hp/479lbft. But like always, BMW underrates their engines and they actually make closer to 600hp and 530lbft, respectively. Obviously you can go much farther with aftermarket tunes, but that's pretty darn stout for stock off the showroom floor.
10-25-23, 01:03 PM
Next-Gen Dodge Charger Will Keep Gas Engine
And, unlike the last Charger, this time, the front end actually reminds one of the classic late-60s versions.
