The next-generation Dodge Charger coupe will launch as an electric muscle car, but there’s a possibility it could also end up in showrooms with Stellantis’ new turbocharged straight-six engine.
Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis reconfirmed to The Drive and other outlets that the Charger’s STLA Large Car Platform “is a multi-energy platform”, and as such “has the ability to run an ICE engine”.
Kuniskis continued: “I can take the floor pan out. I can take the battery out. I can put a drive-shaft tunnel in there. The platform is made to be able to do that. It’s modular.”
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
There has been speculation online that Dodge will eventually offer petrol engines in its next-generation muscle car range.
When pressed on this, Kuniskis said: “I can put an ICE engine in it. It doesn’t mean we’re going to.”
The Dodge CEO did seem to leave the door ajar though, stating: “We’re certainly not launching with anything like that. We’re launching full battery electric.”
Overnight at SEMA 2022, Dodge had its Charger Daytona SRT concept on stage again (this time in red), and revealed six of the nine possible EV powertrains that could fit into its STLA Large platform.
These include 340kW, 370kW, 400kW, 440kW, 470kW and 500kW variants using a 400V electrical system. The brand had also previously announced a more powerful option using an 800V electrical system, which could produce up to 660kW.
For reference, the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine fitted to Charger and Challenger Hellcat Redeye makes 594kW and 959Nm.
The STLA Large architecture will support battery capacities of between 101kWh and 118kWh, allowing for up to 800km of driving between charges.
This architecture will not only underpin Dodge’s new muscle car, but also a variety of cars and crossovers across other Stellantis brands like Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, and Jeep.
Should Dodge decide to stick an internal combustion engine into its muscle car, or any future STLA Large vehicles, it’s unlikely to be a V8.
The Hemi V8 engine, including the wild Hellcat variants, is being phased out across the Jeep range in favour of a new turbocharged 3.0-litre Hurricane straight-six engine family.
Asked if Dodge had considered using the Hurricane engine in its next-generation muscle car, Kuniskis replied, “Of course we did”.
At present the 3.0-litre Hurricane engine is available in standard guise with around 298kW and 610Nm, while the high-output variant makes at least 373kW and 644Nm.
