The muscle car is trading the Hemi for high-voltage hums

Technology · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Dodge is fundamentally rewriting the DNA of American muscle. The eighth-generation Charger marks a pivot where internal combustion meets full electrification, featuring a battery-electric Daytona that mimics the roar of a gasoline engine through specialized acoustic engineering. It is a high-stakes gamble on preserving heritage in a zero-emission era.

The eighth-generation Dodge Charger represents a dual-track evolution for the brand. Stellantis North America is launching the vehicle in two distinct powertrain categories: a battery-electric (BEV) lineup and an internal combustion engine (ICE) lineup. The electric Charger Daytona debuted in December 2024, while the gasoline-powered Charger Sixpack is slated for a December 2025 release. This transition is underscored by the 2024 Daytona R/T and Scat Pack models, which utilize two electric motors to produce 496 and 670 horsepower, respectively, powered by a 100.5 kilowatt-hour battery. To maintain the visceral identity of a muscle car, Dodge engineered a Fratzonic Chambered exhaust system for the Daytona. This system uses an amplifier and a tuning chamber at the rear of the vehicle to reach 126 dB, intentionally mimicking the volume of a Hellcat-powered model. This technical bridge allows the brand to transition to a fully electric future while satisfying the sensory expectations of traditional enthusiasts. The 2-door variant of this generation also serves as the official replacement for the third-generation Challenger. For those sticking to gasoline, the new lineup introduces the Hurricane inline-six engine, including a 3.0-liter twin-turbo version for the Sixpack. This engine replaces the long-standing Hemi and Hellcat powerplants as the new performance pinnacle. Furthermore, the brand is maintaining its niche for extreme performance with the Hustle Stuff Drag Pak, a limited production run of 50 units featuring a 5.8-liter supercharged Hemi V8, and the 2027 Super Bee, which utilizes a High Output Hurricane engine producing 600 horsepower.

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