The new Dodge Charger is rewriting the rules of the American muscle car without abandoning the attitude, performance and driver involvement that have defined the nameplate for more than six decades.
For the latest generation, Dodge has taken an unusually broad approach to performance. The new Charger is available with fully electric Daytona powertrains as well as the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane SIXPACK inline-six engine. That means buyers can choose between instant electric performance and traditional internal-combustion muscle, while both versions share the same basic mission: deliver serious acceleration, aggressive driving dynamics and unmistakable Dodge character.
Built around Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, the next-generation Dodge Charger combines a new generation of propulsion technology with all-wheel drive, sophisticated chassis hardware, advanced drive modes and an extensive suite of performance-focused electronics.
The result is a Charger designed not simply to replace the previous generation, but to redefine what a modern American muscle car can be.
Dodge Charger SIXPACK Brings Twin-Turbo Straight-Six Power
While the electric Daytona models represent Dodge’s move into high-performance EVs, the SIXPACK-powered Charger is likely to attract traditional muscle-car enthusiasts who still want an internal-combustion engine.
Under the hood is the 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six, offered in standard SIXPACK and higher-output SIXPACK H.O. configurations.
The engine features a deep-skirt cast-aluminum block, forged-steel internal components and high-pressure 350-bar direct fuel injection. Dual overhead camshafts with fully independent variable valve timing are combined with dedicated water-to-air charge-air cooling systems to improve throttle response, power delivery and thermal management.
The flagship Charger Scat Pack uses the 550-horsepower SIXPACK H.O. engine, making it the most powerful production version of the Hurricane engine currently offered.
It produces 531 lb-ft of torque and is engineered to deliver substantial torque across a remarkably broad portion of the rev range. Dodge says the engine delivers 88 percent of peak torque at 2,500 rpm and more than 90 percent between 3,000 and 6,000 rpm.
Twin counter-rotating turbochargers are used to reduce turbo lag while balancing airflow through the engine.
2026 Dodge Charger R/T vs. 5.7 HEMI
The new Charger R/T SIXPACK doesn’t simply replace the previous HEMI-powered R/T. According to Dodge’s performance figures, it significantly increases both power and straight-line performance.
The comparison is striking.
The previous 5.7-liter HEMI R/T produced 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.5 seconds.
The new Charger R/T SIXPACK raises those figures to 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. Its 0-60 mph time drops to 4.6 seconds, while the quarter-mile improves to 12.9 seconds.
That means the SIXPACK R/T adds 50 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque while cutting half a second from the 0-60 mph sprint.
Dodge Charger R/T SIXPACK Performance
- 420 horsepower
- 468 lb-ft of torque
- 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds
- Quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds
For Dodge, the important point is that the move away from the HEMI doesn’t mean a reduction in performance.
Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK Makes 550 Horsepower
At the top of the gasoline-powered Charger range sits the Scat Pack SIXPACK.
Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane H.O. produces 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. That represents a significant increase over the outgoing 6.4-liter HEMI-powered Scat Pack.
The previous 6.4-liter HEMI Scat Pack generated 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds.
The new Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK reaches 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and completes the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds.
Dodge Charger Scat Pack SIXPACK Performance
- 550 horsepower
- 531 lb-ft of torque
- 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds
- Quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds
The result is an internal-combustion Charger that is quicker and more powerful than the HEMI model it replaces.
Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Produces 670 Horsepower
For outright performance, the electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack sits above the SIXPACK models.
The Daytona Scat Pack produces 670 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. Dodge quotes an 11.5-second quarter-mile time.
Those figures place the Daytona Scat Pack firmly in the territory of serious performance machinery.
Its electric powertrain is built around a 400-volt architecture incorporating a high-voltage battery, front and rear electric drive modules and sophisticated power electronics.
The battery has an installed capacity of 100.5 kWh and a peak discharge capability of 550 kW. Dodge says the system is specifically engineered to provide maximum available battery power during a quarter-mile run.
Unlike many performance EVs that rely exclusively on outright electric motor output, the Charger Daytona also incorporates hardware designed to make the car feel more like a muscle car.
100.5-kWh Battery and Dual Electric Motors
The electric Dodge Charger uses front and rear electric drive modules to provide all-wheel drive.
The front unit incorporates a front-wheel-end disconnect designed to reduce drivetrain losses when full front-axle propulsion isn’t required. At the rear, a mechanical limited-slip differential is used to improve traction and performance.
The combination gives the Daytona strong acceleration while allowing Dodge to balance performance with efficiency.
Standard all-wheel drive is central to the Charger formula, regardless of whether the car is powered by electricity or gasoline.
Fratzonic Exhaust Gives the Electric Charger a Voice
Dodge knows that sound is an important part of the muscle-car experience.
That’s why the Charger Daytona uses the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system, a distinctive acoustic system designed to give the electric muscle car its own performance soundtrack.
The system uses two passive radiators to generate a unique sound profile and varying levels of intensity.
The SIXPACK models take a more conventional approach, using a performance-tuned active exhaust with electronically controlled dual-mode valves. Exhaust character changes according to the selected Drive Mode, giving the turbocharged six-cylinder Charger a more aggressive personality when the driver wants it.
All-Wheel Drive With Rear-Wheel-Drive Capability
One of the most interesting elements of the new Dodge Charger is the way it combines all-weather usability with traditional muscle-car behavior.
All-wheel drive is standard, but SIXPACK models also offer on-demand rear-wheel-drive functionality.
At the push of a button, the system can send 100 percent of available torque to the rear wheels.
That gives the Charger two distinct personalities. It can behave as a stable, confidence-inspiring all-wheel-drive performance car during everyday driving, then transform into a rear-driven muscle machine when the conditions and driver demand it.
Charger Line Lock Enables Tire-Warming Burnouts
Dodge has also retained the kind of performance technology that muscle-car buyers expect.
Line Lock is standard on the Charger Scat Pack and available on the Charger R/T when equipped with the Performance Handling Group.
The system locks the front brakes while disconnecting the AWD transfer-case clutch packs and removing torque from the front axle.
The result is the ability to spin the rear tires while keeping the front wheels stationary, allowing the driver to clean and warm the tires before a launch.
It is an unmistakably Dodge feature, designed for controlled performance use rather than ordinary street driving.
Adaptive Suspension and Performance Chassis
The new Charger isn’t relying on straight-line acceleration alone.
Its chassis uses a multi-link front suspension and fully independent integral-link rear suspension. The architecture is designed to provide improved steering feel, stability and cornering performance.
Adaptive damping technology uses sensor inputs and dual-valve control to vary the vehicle’s response depending on the selected driving mode and conditions.
That allows the Charger to move between a more comfortable road-going setup and a sharper configuration designed for high-performance driving.
Brembo Brakes Bring Serious Stopping Power
The Charger Daytona Scat Pack receives the largest brake package ever installed on a Dodge vehicle.
The system uses 16-inch Brembo vented rotors with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.
The objective isn’t simply to provide strong initial braking performance. The hardware is also designed to resist brake fade during repeated high-speed use.
The Charger SIXPACK Scat Pack also receives six-piston Brembo front calipers, reinforcing its position as a genuine performance car rather than simply a powerful sedan or coupe.
Dodge Charger Drive Modes
The new Charger gives drivers extensive control over how the vehicle behaves through multiple Drive Modes.
Depending on configuration, the available modes include:
- Auto
- Eco
- Wet/Snow
- Sport
- Custom
- Track
- Drag
Auto provides a balanced setup for everyday driving, while Eco prioritizes efficiency with rear-biased torque delivery, smoother gear changes, lighter steering and quieter exhaust operation.
Wet/Snow Mode uses a balanced 50:50 front-to-rear torque distribution to improve traction on low-grip surfaces.
Sport Mode sharpens steering feedback, gear changes and propulsion response while opening the active exhaust valves.
Custom Mode allows drivers to configure multiple vehicle characteristics according to their preferences.
The Daytona Scat Pack adds Track and Drag modes, allowing the car to be configured specifically for circuit driving or straight-line acceleration.
Launch Control and Race Prep
The performance technology goes considerably deeper than selectable drive modes.
Launch Control allows drivers to configure engine speed according to surface conditions while brake pressure is maintained. This enables the twin turbochargers to build boost before the brake is released.
Once the launch begins, torque is managed across all four wheels to maximize available traction.
On Daytona Scat Pack models, Dodge also offers Drift/Donut Mode, which creates a rear-biased propulsion configuration and allows drivers to select from three levels of traction-control intervention.
Race Prep functions are also available on Daytona models, with separate battery-temperature management strategies for drag racing and circuit driving.
PowerShot Adds 40 Horsepower
The electric Charger Daytona also gets a temporary performance boost through PowerShot.
When activated, the system adds 40 horsepower for 10 seconds.
It is designed to provide an immediate burst of additional performance, giving the driver another tool when maximum acceleration is required.
Drive Experience Recorder by Cosworth
Dodge has also embraced the growing trend of recording track and drag-strip sessions.
The Drive Experience Recorder, developed by Cosworth, is available on Charger Daytona Scat Pack models equipped with the Track Package.
The system combines video, audio and vehicle telemetry into a single performance record.
A forward-facing 1080p camera records at 60 frames per second, while an integrated microphone captures the sounds of the drive.
Performance data can be synchronized with the footage, allowing drivers to analyze launches, laps, acceleration and other aspects of vehicle performance after a session.
Performance Pages Put Charger Data in the Driver’s Hands
The Charger also offers Performance Pages that display real-time vehicle information.
Drivers can monitor acceleration times, gauges, g-force and propulsion-system behavior.
Combined with the Drive Experience Recorder, the system effectively turns the Charger into a rolling performance-data center.
For enthusiasts who regularly visit a drag strip or racetrack, these features provide considerably more information than a traditional muscle car ever could.
Inside the New Dodge Charger
The next-generation Charger combines its performance-oriented exterior with a high-tech cabin.
A 16-inch instrument cluster and central touchscreen form the centerpiece of the digital interior, while an available augmented head-up display projects important information directly into the driver’s field of view.
A dedicated drive-mode control provides quick access to the car’s different performance personalities.
The interior also features 64-color Attitude Adjustment lighting, with dynamic animations designed to respond to vehicle events and reinforce the car’s performance character.
Despite the technology, Dodge has maintained a driver-focused layout intended to keep important controls accessible while driving.
Hidden Hatch Makes the Charger More Practical
One of the cleverest aspects of the new Charger is its “hidden hatch” design.
Although the car maintains the visual proportions and attitude of a performance coupe, the rear opening provides access to a large cargo area.
The Charger seats five passengers and offers up to 1,064 liters of rear cargo capacity.
That makes the new muscle car considerably more practical for everyday use than its exterior might suggest.
Dodge has also emphasized rear passenger space, with best-in-class rear legroom intended to make the Charger useful as a daily driver rather than a weekend-only performance machine.
Advanced Driver Assistance Technology
The new Dodge Charger is also equipped with a comprehensive collection of driver-assistance and safety technologies.
Available systems include Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Vulnerable Road User Detection, Active Lane Management, Active Driving Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go.
Blind-spot monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection is also available, alongside ParkSense front, rear and side parking assistance.
Additional systems include Traffic Sign Recognition and Drowsy Driver Detection.
The Charger can also be equipped with a 360-degree Surround View Camera, front tire-to-curb visibility, automatic front-camera activation during parking and Turn Signal Active Blind Spot View.
The latter displays the relevant blind-spot area on the central screen when the driver activates the turn signal.
The New Charger Is More Than an EV or Gasoline Muscle Car
Perhaps the most significant change with the next-generation Dodge Charger is that there is no longer a single definition of what a modern muscle car has to be.
The Daytona models demonstrate what Dodge can do with electric propulsion, using massive instantaneous torque, sophisticated all-wheel drive and high-voltage electrical architecture to deliver extreme acceleration.
The SIXPACK models take a different route, using a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six to deliver more horsepower and torque than the HEMI engines they replace.
Both approaches are built around the same philosophy: performance should be felt from behind the wheel.
That distinction matters because Dodge isn’t simply trying to make the Charger faster. It is attempting to preserve the emotional appeal of the muscle car while adapting the formula to a rapidly changing automotive industry.
Source: Dodge