60 Years of the Dodge Charger – GEN 8: 2024 to 2026

The best is getting better, and that’s what defines the all-new Charger that burst onto the automotive landscape in 2024. Now in its 8th generation since its debut in 1966, the Charger once again defined what a muscle car could be. It was now armed with more weaponry, including a variety of electric and internal combustion powerplants. The GEN 8 Dodge Charger still retained its well-earned title as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car. How do you say? Glad you asked! The all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack amped its output with a 670-horsepower 400V 250/250kW EDM propulsion system that had the Charger hustling from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and drag strip dominance of blazing the quarter-mile in around 11.5 seconds. Electrified models also include the 496-horsepower 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T. Other electrified powerplants in 2024 included a 496-horsepower 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T. The GEN 8 ignited the enthusiast’s desires for increased technology that came wrapped in swoopy two- and four-door body styles. It would also be Dodge’s first multi-energy muscle car.

So advanced was the Charger’s 670-horsepower electric propulsion system that it had earned a 2025 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award. With its 400-volt propulsion system that incorporates a 100.5-kWh high-voltage battery pack, a dual integrated charge module, and front and rear electric drive modules (EDMs), each rated at 335 hp (250 kW) and 313.5 lb.-ft. of torque, it totally changed how consumers view muscle cars. “The powertrain in the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack helps reimagine what an electric vehicle can be,” said Drew Winter, Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems judge. “There are a lot of impressive electric propulsion systems in the marketplace today, but none can match this one’s presence and personality, thanks to the sheer audacity of its engineers.” But the accolades did not end there. The new Charger was also awarded the 2026 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards for Best of the Year and Best Sport Coupe. The all-new Dodge Charger was name as a repeat winner in the 2026 Best Sport Coupe category for MotorWeek, as it cemented its status as a leader within the category. But there was even more icing on the cake when, earlier this year, the 2026 Charger claimed the prestigious North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) award during the Detroit Auto Show. Many respected automotive experts’ selection of the Dodge Charger adds to recent accolades for the Charger lineup, including Car of the Year honors from Detroit Free Press, Detroit News and TopGear.com

With consumer tastes shifting, Dodge responded by offering two versions of their internal combustion engine – the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six cylinder powerhouse. Now, the 2026 Charger R/T and Charger Scat Pack would have gasoline running through their veins. The R/T would come standard with the standard output (S.O.) 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine putting out 420-horsepower @ 5,200 rpm with 468 lb.-ft. torque @ 2,500 rpm. With your right foot planted, you could blast from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds, and at your local drag strip, be rewarded with a high-12-second E.T. slip while tripping the beams with a 107 mph trap speed. If you need more attitude, the Charger Scat Pack, or its well-optioned sibling, the Charger Scat Pack Plus, rewards you with now 550 horsepower that’s spooling up from its High Output “SIXPACK” 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six. With horsepower north of 500, it also makes a ground-churning 531 lb.-ft. of torque. And as we all know, “spinning ain’t winning”, and all GEN 8 Chargers come with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) driveline layout that plants all the horsepower on the pavement. However, if you’re looking to leave a statement when departing those Saturday morning Cars ‘N Coffee events and tattoo the street with two black stripes of burnt rubber upon your departure, there’s an on-demand rear-drive function that sends 100% of the torque to the back tires. Now you can do everything from massive burnouts, drifting and even donuts in full “Hooligan” mode.

With the new body and engine options, the Charger’s interior was treated to a massive makeover that captures the true feeling of this modern muscle car. With an emphasis on driver-focused integration and its design aesthetic. Many of the interior highlights included a freestanding, wide-format standard 10.25-in. cluster screen, adjustable lighting, sculptured door panels and dashboard, performance-oriented steering wheel and a whole lot more.

The new Charger platform was also chosen as the platform for the all-new Drag Pak to attack the competition in the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class. Known as the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak by Direct Connection, its much lighter body and championship-winning supercharged 354-cubic-inch HEMI^® V8 engine will be a force to be reckoned with this racing season. With only 50 units being hand-built, they’ll be future collectors’ items when not winning races.

The 2026 Dodge Charger carries on the brand’s tradition of taking muscle to another level. With a variety of wild colors, distinctive and unmistakable styling, and plenty of power under the hood, Charger lives on for another generation of muscle car fans to get their fill of speed, handling and, of course, attitude!