During the media preview of the 2024-2025 Dodge Charger lineup, brand boss Tim Kuniskis was talking about the SIXPACK models and how they would offer excellent performance. To try to give the media some perspective of performance levels, he made a comment about how some of us had just driven the Ram 1500 with the same Hurricane engine, so imagine a similar engine in a vehicle that is 700-800 pounds lighter. The media first drive event for the new Ram 1500 was held a short time before the media debut of the next-generation Dodge Charger, and I was among those people who attended both the Charger preview and the first drive event of the Hurricane-powered Ram 1500. Having had to the chance to push the new engine hard in the half-ton trucks, I understand what Kuniskis was saying and I am confident that the 2025 Dodge Charger SIXPACK is going to be a hell of a lot of fun to drive.
During the media first drive event for the new Ram 1500 lineup with the Hurricane I6 engines, I spent the majority of my day driving a beautiful Tungsten model with the Hurricane High Output. The new Tungsten trim line redefines luxury for the half-ton segment, with every imaginable premium feature inside and lots of chrome on the outside – including polished 22-inch wheels. All of that luxury adds lots of weight to the cabin, so the Ram 1500 that I spent a day driving was one of the heaviest possible configurations. The Ram Trucks website lists the curb weight for a variety of 2025 Ram 1500 models, and they range (with 4×4) between 4,700 and 5,100 pounds. Based on Kuniskis’ comment about the 700-800 pound weight difference, that would put the Dodge Charger SIXPACK in the lower 4,000-pound range.
The 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output does a fantastic job of powering the Ram 1500, providing a clear advantage in acceleration over the 5.7-liter HEMI® engine that it effectively replaces. Low end power delivery is a bit different, as the naturally aspirated HEMI engine offers a slightly sharper shot of power at the initial point of launch, but the Hurricane I6 turbochargers quickly get up to their peak boost levels, allowing this smaller engine to pull considerably harder through the gears than the HEMI engine. When cruising at speed, when you hammer the throttle to ask for gobs more power in a hurry, the 8-speed transmission is quick to drop down a few gears and the engine speed soars, leading to impressive torque delivery and excellent mid-range acceleration. Also, for those wondering, even with the heavy 22-inch wheels, the Ram 1500 Tungsten with the Hurricane High Output will effortlessly roast the rear tires through multiple gears.
In the Dodge Charger SIXPACK, the Hurricane will have to move far less weight and it will have slightly more horsepower than the Ram 1500. With “only” 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, a 4,400-pound Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack with a good set of drag radial tires can get very close to the 11-second quarter-mile range, with traction being a key to getting the best track times.
The 2025 Dodge Charger SIXPACK will have 550 horsepower, but we don’t know the torque output yet. We know that the Hurricane High Output offers 500 lb-ft of torque in the Jeep® Grand Wagoneer and 521 lb-ft of torque in the Ram 1500, so the Charger SIXPACK will likely have more torque than the Charger R/T Scat Pack. More importantly, the SIXPACK will come with an advanced all-wheel-drive system, so racers will be able to put far more power to the ground on launch without spinning the tires – even without sticky drag radials. When you look at the advantages in horsepower, torque and traction for the Charger SIXPACK and factor in a curb weight that could be lower than the Scat Pack, 11-second quarter-mile times are a very reasonable expectation in ideal conditions. Realistically, even if the SIXPACK is heavier than the Scat Pack, the other advantages are likely to make it quicker in the quarter-mile.
Also, with the Hurricane I6 weighing a bit less than the HEMI V8 engine, the Dodge Charger SIXPACK could offer a slightly more balanced front-to-rear weight ratio than the Charger Scat Pack (55/45). When coupled with the advanced all-wheel-drive system, less weight over the front end should yield better handling capabilities for next-generation Charger.
Devout HEMI fans don’t want to hear it, but in the Ram 1500 and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the Hurricane High Output does a better job of supporting performance-minded driving than the HEMI V8 engine. When that same engine becomes available in the Dodge Charger SIXPACK, the Brotherhood of Muscle will have another performance car that will get your blood pumping when you put the gas pedal to the floor.
14 Comments
Tim left for a reason, he knows Stellantis is slowly driving the nails in the coffin
You lost me at 4000lbs. If you know your customers (as you have done so well before bowing to the regulatory environmental regime) you would have made this ICE version 2800lbs and like the 170, built for running on corn. I’d also prefer a “DC Performance” package to swap from ICE to EV within the same car, kinda like you did for the DragPak kits, even though you stole the idea from a small chassis shop
Then, you’d have all of my hobby spend like you have for the last 35 years. Give me an electric RAM with an electric assist trailer package, and you’d have me for another 10 years.
But don’t worry, the aftermarket will take care of it as we always have, just like we did in the 90’s, where many of us went over to Mustangs, until you brought back the HEMI… which BTW made you gobs of new customers because we could again “understand the brand”.
Just don’t do the K-car or Dodge Neons again!
I’m 66 years old. I am a child of the great muscle era. My first hot rod was a 68 GTX 440 6-pack. Great car. I had a 2015 Challenger Scat Pack. Now I have a 2023 Last Call Challenger Scat Pack Wide Body. These cars are absolutely amazing to drive. What the hell is Dodge thinking? The 25 Charger is not even close. I’m too old for an EV. Wouldn’t buy one anyway. Can’t give EV’s away. Sounds like somebody is really stupid. Gotta screw a good thing. My last Dodge.
While I’m happy there’s an ICE option, my primary reservation is the relative increase in engine complexity going from an ICE to a twin turbo. My current Charger is a 2013 SE, and I love it despite its history. I keep my vehicles a long time, and had to have the cams, rockers and lifters replaced at 113K miles due to the well-known Pentastar lifter-tick issue. I have serious reservations about two things: 1) Can Dodge build a reliable, durable engine that is more complex than its past engines? 2) If the complex engine has a failure, will Dodge do right by its customers? In my case, I had to foot the head rebuild myself. Regardless, I love the car, but I’d like to hear honest responses from Dodge leadership on these questions before I’d consider buying again.
MOPAR loyalists are left with an EV and a “Six Pack” (which is an affront to an iconic moniker). Tim’s “retirement” is long overdue. He was the poster child for self-promotion and putting himself above the brand. Good riddance.
I have 2 problems with this…
I’ll even take it in a hybrid…
a) we’re not looking to replace the scat pack, we’re looking for what will replace the HELLCAT! I’m already in the 11’s, stock, with mine…
b, and more importantly) why go 2 doors for the charger?? we already have the challenger for that (unless you’re combining them into one…) - but I bought the charger hellcat for the FOUR doors, and if I have to go to 2 doors (with less power!) I don’t think I’ll be going with Dodge…
So c’mon Dodge…bring back 4 doors with MORE POWER…
I think the Charger sounds like a nice vehicle but its success will be based entirely on the price point. If Dodge and the dealers think that they can continue to price gouge customers then the rollout will be a failure. Charge a fair price (less than $60k for the highest trim) then they will definitely sell. They can price creep after the car is accepted into the culture.
You have no idea how many people you have .pissed off. We bought your product specifically because of HEMI. you are stupid. You piss on the very people you rely on. We made you. We can break you. You are European owner and you can’t stand America. So you buy a company and destroy the company. Your green new automobile is not going to sell In the United States. It like the EV will not work here.
It will be interesting once they start giving us a price point of what the Charger SIXPACK is going to be. I’m old school, and would have trouble wrapping my head around paying 60K or more for a 6 cylinder car.
Impressive #s comparison, and great to see the 2-door styling, reminiscent of the originals, thanks!
Nice numbers! Tim K. enjoy! Happy days ahead! Well deserved.
Should be a winner like the 2.7 V6