Dodge’s New SIXPACK-Powered Charger Promises Old-School Muscle Vibes

Dodge’s New SIXPACK-Powered Charger Promises Old-School Muscle Vibes originally appeared on Autoblog.

Dodge is determined to pump up muscle car fans as it rolls out the new “SIXPACK-powered” version of its Charger line.

In December 2023 the Detroit automaker ended production of its familiar Charger and Challenger models, a year later launching an all-new performance line, the Charger Daytona. It was a clearly risky move considering the first models off the line were battery-powered, but Dodge planners were hoping the raw power of electric motors would win over skeptical buyers.

So far, the bet hasn’t paid off, demand lagging well behind initial expectations at a time when EV sales, in general, are slowing down. But Dodge has the proverbial ace up its sleeve and, just in time for its annual “Roadkill Nights” event, it’s rolling out two gas-powered alternatives, the SIXPACK-Powered Charger Scat Pack and Charger R/T.

The Return of the Gas-Powered Charger

An appropriate moniker for a muscle car, SIXPACK is the name Dodge has given to the most powerful version yet of its Hurricane engine. The 3.0-liter inline-six will be offered in standard and high-output configurations, making a gutsy 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque in the Charger Scat Pack which has “a lot of low-end crunch,” according to Mickey Bly, Global Powertrain for Dodge parent Stellantis. It’s expected to do the quarter mile in around 12 seconds, and top out at 177 mph. As for the standard-output package in the Charger R/T, it’s still got plenty of guts at 420 hp and 468 lb-ft.

In reality, even the high-output version of this internal combustion lags behind the all-electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack, rated at 670 hp. With the SIXPACK, Charger will muster a 3.9-second 0-60 launch, Dodge said, compared to 3.3 seconds for the battery-electric package. But it will have the deep guttural exhaust note that classic muscle car fans expect, emerging from its twin, 100 mm exhaust pipes. No artificial “Fratzonic” audio track here.

SIXPACK models will direct power through an 8-speed automatic transmission and, much like the EV packages, torque will be sent to all four wheels. A standard limited-slip differential will help maximize grip and the two new Charger packages will offer both Launch Control and Line Lock, along with a variety of selectable drive modes that include both Drift and Donut modes. A touch of a button also lets a driver switch to classic rear-wheel-drive mode and the back end is designed to handle all the torque the HO version of the SIXPACK can throw at it.

More Than Just Straight-Line Acceleration

The old Dodge Charger and Challenger siblings made some impressive numbers of their own, but they were better suited to a drag strip than a twisty street course. Not so the new Charger, whether in all-electric or ICE configuration, said Audrey Moore, the chief program engineer.

Give much of the credit to the all-new STLA Large “architecture” shares with a number of different Stellantis models, including various Jeeps and Rams, as well as the new Charger. But they’re anything but clones, allowing extensive customization for each product line. Where it matters, the Dodge muscle car is, claimed Moore, 20% stiffer than the old Charger. It boasts 10% better suspension damping and, by Dodge measurements, yields a 20% more compliant ride. Understeer, meanwhile, has been reduced by 20%, translating into better handling, as many reviewers have already noted about the Charger Daytona.

The internal combustion version of Charger adds Brembo brakes – with 6-piston fixed front calipers – to ensure it can rapidly scrub off speed.

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Two Body Styles

At launch late last year, the Dodge Daytona was offered in coupe configuration. The automaker recently added a four-door option for an extra $2,000. When the SIXPACK-powered Charger models reach showrooms later this year buyers will have the option of coupe or convertible body styles.

The uninitiated may not be able to tell EV and ICE models apart. The first clue will be to look for the badge. As you might already have figured out, “Daytona” will be reserved for all-electric models. The other big clue can be found up front. The SIXPACK models won’t share the EV’s distinctive R-Wing, an aerodynamic passthrough just back from the nose designed to reduce turbulence while also enhancing high-speed downforce.

Gas models will, of course, have a functioning, rather than sealed, grille. As Bly pointed out, that Hurricane I-6 needs a lot of air to keep it cool. It also requires a taller hood to squeeze in that big powertrain. With Daytona models, much of the electric drive technology, including the battery pack, is mounted below the load floor.

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Plenty in Common

Despite their powertrain differences and the obvious changes to the body that his requires, the gas and electric versions of the Charger have plenty in common. For one thing, they share a hidden hatchback that opens onto a surprisingly cavernous cargo compartment. Fold down the roomy back seats and you’ll get up to 37.4 cubic feet of storage space.

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In a nod to Charger and Challenger models of yore, the new muscle car line adopts a horizontal layout to the instrument panel that emphasizes Charger’s width. All versions measure in as 2 full inches wider than the prior Widebody models.

The IP is dominated by a 12.3-inch infotainment display and, depending upon your package, either a 10.25-inch or 16-inch digital gauge cluster. Both screens are readily reprogrammable, and the cluster automatically changes appearance, including layout and color, depending upon driver mode. The flattened steering wheels are subtly different. In the EV, there’s a “Powershot” button that briefly calls up maximum power. In the gas models. It lets you set drive modes.

Charger also features a welcome array of tech features, starting with the Uconnect5 operating system., Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa integration and a TomTom navigation system. Dodge also claims to offer more than 100 driver assistance and safety features.

Pricing and Availability

Dodge currently offers only one version of the all-electric Charger Daytona, the Scat Pack package. It recently put the lower-powered R/T on hold, though company officials denied that was the result of weak sales. An even more powerful Charger Banshee is in the works but it’s not clear if it will reach market next year, as originally planned. The 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack will start at $59,995.

The 2026 SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger models will reach U.S. showrooms during the first half of 2026, according to the automaker – though interested buyers will be able to start placing orders online as of August 13. The gas Scat Pack will start at $54,995. The Charger R/T will carry a $49,995 MSRP.

Add to those figures $1,995 in delivery fees. And four-door models will carry a $2,000 premium.

Dodge’s New SIXPACK-Powered Charger Promises Old-School Muscle Vibes first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 8, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.