- An alleged sound clip from a Charger prototype features a familiar, old-school V8 growl.
- Dodge has already confirmed six-cylinder versions of the Charger with 420 hp and 550 hp.
- The ICE-powered model features subtle styling tweaks, including a new hood and front end.
Dodge has never been subtle about its love for horsepower, and right now, it needs to roll out the ICE version of the new Charger. For the first time, a prototype of the long-anticipated gas-powered model has been seen out in public. It looks a lot like the electric version, but Dodge has made a few key tweaks to set it apart. Surprisingly, the biggest story here might not be what’s visible, it’s what’s audible.
More: Dodge Charger Rumored To Get Hemi V8 Power In 2026
Most assumed this prototype spotted by the Moparian on Facebook was the already confirmed Sixpack model, which uses a turbocharged inline-six and will be available in both coupe and sedan form. But shortly after writing this piece, we came across two videos from YouTuber TK’s Garage, who claims to have obtained audio of a cold start from the very test car with the protruding exhausts.
If the sound clip is legitimate – and that’s still a big “if,” given it only includes a 2-second audio with no visuals, it does sound more like a classic Hemi V8 than the RHO turbo inline-six. You can hear it for yourself in the video below.
Hemi V8 Comeback Gaining Steam
Stellantis is already preparing to ramp up Hemi V8 production, starting in Mexico before transitioning to a plant in Michigan for the engine’s return in the next-gen Ram 1500. Dodge execs have hinted that the V8 could make a comeback in the new Charger, even though the car wasn’t originally designed with a Hemi in mind.
No doubt, it would be a costly endeavor for Stellantis, especially since the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six not only rivals the V8 in performance, but surpasses it in naturally aspirated form. Still, with underwhelming EV sales and plenty of public demand for a V8, it’s not impossible to imagine Stellantis making that bet.
Prototype Details and Visual Differences
The prototype was allegedly spotted in Arizona wearing manufacturer plates from Michigan. This particular car is a two-door and features a pair of prominent exhaust pipes sticking out from underneath. They look a bit odd at the moment, mostly because they’re unusually long, but that’s likely a temporary setup for testing. Expect a more refined design for the production version.
Read: Dodge Desperate To Sell Charger Daytona EVs, Prays Huge Discounts Will Lure Buyers
The most obvious difference between the ICE Charger and the EV is the hood. Whereas the electric model has Dodge’s R-Wing front aero pass-through, the gas-powered model has a more traditional hood. It also includes ‘Sixpack’ script on a small vent positioned at the top of the bulging hood, which again, could be just for testing purposes if this is indeed fitted with a V8.
Dodge has already confirmed plans to offer two versions of the Charger Sixpack. Both will share the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane 6-cylinder found in other Stellantis products, but power outputs will differ. The standard Charger Sixpack will pump out 420 hp, while the flagship model will deliver 550 hp. This engine out-muscles the old 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8s of the previous-gen Charger and Challenger, but does not have enough grunt to rival Dodge’s 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8.
The brand brought forward the launch of the Charger Sixpack a few months ago in the hopes that it would make up for the lackluster demand and sales of the EV. However, it recently emerged that Trump’s auto industry tariffs have thrown a spanner into the works.
Stellantis recently paused production at the Windsor Assembly Plant that builds the Charger alongside the Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager. While production is scheduled to resume on April 21, the pause may trigger a delay in the launch of the Charger Sixpack.
