The Dodge Charger’s transition to electric power has stirred controversy among fans, particularly regarding the decision to replace the iconic V8 engine with a twin-turbocharged inline-six. Traditionalists argue that a six-cylinder engine lacks the muscle associated with the Charger brand. However, history reveals a precedent for inline-six engines in Mopar_® muscle cars, notably in Australian variants of the Chrysler Valiant, where performance-oriented “HEMI^® Six” engines were celebrated. Despite not being traditional HEMI engines, these inline-sixes delivered impressive power and performance, rivaling V8 counterparts of the time. The Australian Charger R/T, equipped with a “Six Pack” triple-carbureted HEMI Six, achieved notable performance on and off the track. While the era of HEMI Six engines eventually ended with the cessation of Chrysler’s Australian operations in 1980, their legacy demonstrates that Mopar muscle can be defined by more than just V8 power.

Photo credit: Evan McCausland | Hagerty.com

Disclaimer: This editorial article contains information and links to a third-party site. We can’t guarantee 100% accuracy (we do our best) or vouch for their other site content (nobody’s perfect) outside of this link. Let us know in the comments if there’s something you think we need to review.