Dodge’s Straight-Six–Powered Charger Is Reportedly Coming Sooner Than Expected
Enthusiasts waiting for the twin-turbocharged straight-six-powered version of the new Dodge Charger might not have to wait until the end of 2025 after all. While the gasoline-burning model remains scheduled to land in showrooms several months after its electric counterpart, a new report claims Dodge is fast-tracking it to the market in the wake of a shifting political landscape and a lack of demand for EVs.
Citing anonymous sources, Mopar Insiders claims deliveries of the Hurricane-powered Charger will start in the beginning of summer 2025. The model was previously scheduled to reach dealers toward the end of next year, so this news means Dodge has allegedly moved the launch up by five months. Any report pegged on unnamed sources should be taken with a Ram truck-sized grain of salt, but this one isn’t entirely surprising.
EV sales aren’t growing as quickly as many carmakers, government officials, and analysts predicted. Ford, General Motors, and even Volvo—once one of the industry’s loudest EV cheerleaders—are among the companies that have scaled back their electric ambitions in recent months. To add premium-unleaded to the bonfire, the incoming administration is expected to put a much smaller focus on boosting the nation’s EV take-rate than the outgoing one, so electric cars might not enjoy the government support they’ve benefited from in recent years. With these bits of added context, fast-tracking the ICE-powered Charger makes sense.
The EV’s launch timing has changed as well, though it got pushed back instead of forward. Earlier in 2024, Dodge delayed the model by about three months to fix software issues discovered during final shake-down testing, which is a problem that many of its peers and rivals have had to deal with as cars become increasingly reliant on electronics. Dodge opened the Charger EV order book in September 2024, and the first cars are now tentatively scheduled to reach dealer lots in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Dodge hasn’t commented on either report—we’ll be sure to provide updates as more concrete timing unfolds.
I can see them trying to get a combustion car out as soon as possible so they can have some sales on this platform to maybe generate some buzz. The aftermarket would like a tunable turbo motor to play with if it proves to be so.
Try this again as my post was never added.
Since the election I expect the EV and emissions to be rolled back. But the CARB states likely will stand with their EV mandates. They represent 44% of the market. The courts have granted CARB the ability to set their own standards over the EPA.
That will play well with cars like this that can be EV or ICE. GM also has the duel lines of models in EV and ICE.
Many companies will be challenged by CARB since they may be behind in EV.
As for this car it may be a great car snd engine but it will never sound right.
Cali’s ability to set their own emissions standards comes from a Fed EPA waiver.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/court-upholds-californias-authority-to-set-nation-leading-vehicle-emission-rules
Actually this went to the Supreme Court and ruled CARB could set their one standards no matter what the EPA does.
While things can change it many not always be easy or long term if you change things and Automakers need to be really for both sides of this. That is costly.
Not sure why it says Rich? This is hyperv6
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/court-upholds-californias-authority-to-set-nation-leading-vehicle-emission-rules
Actually this went to the Supreme Court and ruled CARB could set their one standards no matter what the EPA does.
While things can change it many not always be easy or long term if you change things and Automakers need to be really for both sides of this. That is costly.
The same style of spelling and punctuation errors as hyperV6, made me think that Rich Mastriano went to the same school or something.
But it’s the same as most laws… a lower entity can increase limits, but can’t decrease over federal. States can add to a federal law, but can’t take away from it or negate it.
Dodge doesn’t get it I have a 2014 Dodge charger AWD with a Hemi after a few dollars she’s pushing 420 horses at 155mph the first two door charger without a Hemi what’s wrong with this picture and what’s wrong with Dodge top speed 134 Volkswagen beetles can top that
This is not an Dodge issue this is a Emissions issue. The old V8 did not meet the coming numbers. Less cylinders and turbochargers are being used as they are more efficient at making power at lower emissions.
That is why most vehicles today are Turbo 4 and 3 cylinder.
When the government gets out of the car building business, things will change. Stellantis has taken a loss as their CAFE numbers were horrid during the HEMI boom, hence their push for EVs. The (potential) doom of ICE powerplants is all due to the feds and eco-warriors in Cali. Also, SUVs are EPA rated differently than passenger cases, thus the push for SUVs. As far as I’m concerned, as long as the emission numbers are good, the vehicles are safe, NO ONE should care how your vehicle powertrain is equipped.
As an owner of an 05 Magnum RT, I love this vehicle and with a Predator modified ECM, my wife and I thoroughly enjoy driving a mid 13 second car that gets 20+ MPH on the road.
Psst…. ask Toyota for the formula to the turbo 6 from the old Supra!
Good to hear but too bad this car is so ugly. The previous styling was so much better.
I think it looks rather attractive in the photos, actually. A bit like the 1968-1970 Chargers.
They should have dumped the Charger and kept the Challenger. A far better looking car. New Chargers have always been ugly and not just because of the four doors.
John
Hands down the best looking EV out there.
I wish they would make it in RHD. Come on Stellantis if you can put an engine in it, surely swapping the steering wheel is easy?