Dodge's Most Powerful Charger Sixpack Could Push 600 Horsepower

Key Takeaways

• Dodge is upgrading the Charger’s inline-six engine to make it the most powerful Charger Sixpack yet.
• The new engine could produce up to 600 horsepower.
• The upgraded Charger Sixpack will be revealed during the Roadkill Nights event on August 8 in Pontiac, Michigan.
• The current gas-powered Charger maxes out at 550 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six in the Scat Pack trim.
• Dodge is hesitant to bring back the V-8 engine due to the complexity of the upgrade and the performance of the current Sixpack engine.

What’s Behind the Upgrade?

The Dodge Charger is getting more powerful, but not by adding more cylinders. While we’re still waiting on the return of the V-8, Dodge says the most powerful Charger Sixpack yet will debut on August 8.

Consider it a birthday gift. The Charger turns 60 this year, and Dodge is celebrating with a summer tour across the United States.

Why Not Bring Back the V-8?

Then, earlier this year, Tim Kuniskis, who leads the American brands under the Stellantis umbrella, told MotorTrend that a Hemi V-8 Charger wasn’t out of the question, but it would require much more work than simply plopping a bigger engine into the Charger’s bay.

He said the 5.7-liter Hemi would produce significantly less horsepower, so the only option would be the supercharged Hellcat V-8, requiring some engineering miracles.

How Does it Compare to the Competition?

The Hurricane is buff in its own right—especially once it gets this mystery upgrade. It already pushes out more horses than every Ford Mustang except the Dark Horse SC, which makes 795 horsepower from a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, and the $328K, 815-hp Mustang GTD.

The standard Mustang Dark Horse, meanwhile, only reaches 500 horsepower from a 5.0-liter V-8.

What to Expect from the Upgraded Charger Sixpack

While we don’t know what the Sixpack is getting next month, we can assume it’ll be bigger than just a few more horses in the stable in traditional Dodge fashion.

It probably won’t pass the Charger Daytona EV’s 670 hp, but anything could happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current horsepower of the Dodge Charger’s inline-six engine?

A: The current gas-powered Charger maxes out at 550 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six in the Scat Pack trim.

Q: Why is Dodge hesitant to bring back the V-8 engine?

A: Dodge is hesitant to bring back the V-8 engine due to the complexity of the upgrade and the performance of the current Sixpack engine.

Q: When will the upgraded Charger Sixpack be revealed?

A: The upgraded Charger Sixpack will be revealed during the Roadkill Nights event on August 8 in Pontiac, Michigan.