Dodge Chargers With Combustion Engines Are Officially In Production
Stellantis is accelerating production of its gasoline-powered Dodge Charger models at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, a strategic pivot back to internal combustion engines welcomed by enthusiasts.
Key Points
- Dodge is ramping up production of its internal combustion Charger models, including the two-door Sixpack H.O. and S.O. variants powered by the Hurricane inline-six engine.
- With changing emissions policies and a cold consumer response, Stellantis is reportedly rebalancing its Charger strategy to favor ICE vehicles and exploring future HEMI V8 compatibility.
- The brand is now exploring broader internal combustion options for the STLA Large platform, including a possible return of the V8.
Production of the two-door Charger Sixpack models with twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six engines began earlier this month following tepid market reception to the all-electric Charger Daytona. According to the Windsor Star, Stellantis expects to hit quadruple-digit outputs by September. The four-door versions of the Sixpack are slated to ramp in the third quarter, with full-scale production of both bodystyles expected by October.
The gasoline-powered Chargers will feature Stellantis's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six engines. The Sixpack Standard Output (S.O.) delivers 420 horsepower, while the High Output (H.O.) variant jumps to 550 horsepower, dwarfing the performance of the previous 5.7- and 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engines.
Stellantis is also allegedly looking at the feasibility of reintegrating the iconic HEMI V8 engine into the Charger lineup—contingent on compatibility with the STLA Large platform. Dodge has not confirmed the project officially, but reports suggest the brand is actively exploring how to adapt the platform to accommodate the larger engine.
Rumor has it the Charger's engine bay will require some reconfiguring to accept the 8-cylinder engine. It's thought Dodge engineers will need to work on relocating or reconfiguring ancillary components, along with making modifications to the engine cradle and firewall, although this is unconfirmed.
The Windsor Assembly Plant, historically associated with minivan production, is undergoing a transformation to accommodate this renewed focus on performance vehicles.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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Great! Now resurrect the 318 engine with the heavy-duty A-727 Torqueflight transmission from 1962. Or, the 440 engine from the Chrysler New Yorker from 1970 with the same transmission.
Nice. Base hurricane for the base models, no one cares about the HO I6. Put the V8s in the higher trim models.