Twin Turbo Muscle Cars: Will Dodge use the Hurricane Inline-Six to Replace Scat Packs & Hellcats?

• May 6, 2022
• Story By
  Mike Garrett

When Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler) debuted its new “Hurricane” twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six recently, it was quite clear that the engine would serve as a replacement for the Hemi V8.

End of the V8?

It’s not a coincidence at all that the two variants of new Hurricane engine match up almost perfectly with the 5.7 liter Hemi (standard Hurricane) and the 6.4 liter Hemi (high output Hurricane).

Not surprisingly, the first Stellantis vehicles to use the new engine are SUVs - the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. And those buyers will likely welcome to the inline-six’s modern turbo power and fuel economy.

But what does this mean for the future of the beloved and popular Dodge Charger and Challenger? You know, the modern muscle cars that are defined by the rumbling Hemi V8s.

At this point the future of the Charger and Challenger, at least as we know them, is unclear.

A New Era

What we do do know is that the Dodge brand is planning to debut an “electric muscle car” in the near future. We also know that Dodge has said the Hellcat engine will end production in 2023 and that the current Charger and Challenger platforms are getting very long in the tooth.

Along with ending production of the Hellcat engine, word is that Dodge is also planning to end Charger and Challenger production by 2024. That suggests it’s unlikely there will be Hurricane-powered versions of the current Charger and Challenger.

Despite its reputation for big V8s, like most car brands, Dodge has made no secret its plans to transition from gasoline to electric powertrains. Along with the upcoming EV concept, Dodge also plans on bringing a plug-in hybrid to the market, though this is likely to be an SUV rather than a coupe or sedan.

Dodge brand CEO Tim Kuniskis has also teased a third new model that will debut later this year, but no details have been given. Could it be a replacement for the Challenger/Charger?

Balancing the Past and Future

On one hand we aren’t looking forward to seeing the end of the Hemi and hope Dodge finds a way to keep selling V8 performance cars for as long as it can.

On the other hand, the Hurricane engines look like they have a ton of performance potential, and we hope to see them make their way under the hood an enthusiast-focused vehicle.

We’d love to see a modernized replacement for the Charger/Challenger with the 510 horsepower Hurricane engine under the hood, but right now we have no idea if something like that is on the table or not.

Whatever ends up happening, it’s clear that the Dodge we know and love is in the midst of some big changes.

Whether it's V8s, twin turbo inline-sixes or hybrids and electrics, here’s hoping it can keep the “Brotherhood of Muscle” alive through these transitional years.