(By Tom Lohnes) – With the sad but inevitable announcement of the hellcat engine’s death, there has been recent speculation about what will be powering the new, non-ev dodge muscle cars. Well, recent reports have stated that Dodge will be replacing the 5.7L hemi in R/T models with a turbocharged inline-6 that Stellantis has been working on for about 5 years now. Could it be?
Yes, it is kind of ironic to see muscle cars return to the inline-6 powerplant after half a century of thumping V8 engines, but it is the most logical step down from a V8. Apparently this I6 is a 3.0L unit with a turbocharger and an electric supercharger, making greater than or equal to the 357 horses the current R/T is making. This obviously won’t be the highest performance model, but I feel that a smooth, torquey I6 would actually suit the big Challenger coupe more than the 15-year-old V8 it is replacing. Of course, it won’t have that V8 sound, but overall driving experience is more important. Who knows, maybe dodge will have their own twist on the engine and make it a hemi I6 like the one that was seen in the Australian-market Chrysler Valiant Charger.
So, if the hellcat is gone, what will be the top engine? Well, there is going to be a PHEV model with the I6 and more electric boost, but that won’t be the top dog. I suspect a smaller-displacement turbocharged V8 will find its way into the Challenger, but only time can tell.
The new Challenger is set to begin production in 2024 along with Dodge’s new EV, so expect quite a few updated between now and then.
Stellantis should focus on a turbo 2JZ style power plant. 357 horses are child’s play for those things.
Nope.
The car should look sharp but no V8? No good.