Written byQuick Highlights:
- First real footage of the gas-powered Charger Sixpack caught mid-drift in Detroit
- Twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six makes either 420 or 550 horsepower
- Real exhaust note from the street, not synthetic sound
- Expected starting price in the low $40,000 range, well under the EV
- AWD and 8-speed automatic transmission confirmed
Here’s the scene. A red Dodge Charger Sixpack coupe slides through a closed-off intersection in downtown Detroit, tires screaming, drone hovering close behind. Someone nearby caught the whole thing on video and posted it to Reddit. And no, this wasn’t a quiet EV moment with fake exhaust pumped through speakers. This was the first real-world footage of Dodge’s new gas-powered Charger Daytona, specifically the Sixpack variant. And it brought the noise.
The Charger Sixpack is finally showing up in public, and from what we just heard, it’s sounding a lot tougher than anyone expected. That Hurricane inline-six isn’t just a placeholder. It’s got a bite.
It’s Not a V8, but It’s Definitely Not Silent
Dodge fans have made it clear. They weren’t exactly thrilled with the all-electric Charger Daytona. It came with Fratzonic exhaust, sure, but let’s be real—blasting fake V8 sounds through speakers doesn’t cut it when you’ve grown up around actual muscle. The Sixpack, on the other hand, runs a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that sounds sharp and raw.
There’s a smooth whine under throttle, a crisp crack on the upshifts, and a raspy zing that feels alive. You won’t mistake it for a Hemi, but you also won’t be bored.
And, for the record, this is the same Hurricane engine found in the Jeep Wagoneer and the Ram 1500. But hearing it in a drift-ready Charger? Hits different.
Two Power Levels, One Mission
What we know so far is simple. Dodge is offering two versions of this motor:
- 420 horsepower
- 550 horsepower (High Output version)
Both send power through an eight-speed automatic transmission. And yes, all-wheel drive will be offered, making it a lot more useful in year-round driving compared to traditional rear-drive muscle setups.
Early reports suggest a starting price in the low $40,000s, which is way more in line with what people expect from a Charger. That’s a huge improvement over the EV version’s $61,590 starting point. Same platform, better sound, and a much smaller monthly payment? Sign us up.
Dodge Needed This, Badly
The numbers say it all. Dodge sold just 4,299 Charger EVs in the first half of 2025. That’s not even close to the 46,710 gas-powered Chargers they sold in the first half of 2023—the last full year of ICE production.
This gas comeback isn’t just a marketing move. It’s survival. Dodge knew it, and the dealers knew it, too. That’s why production of the Sixpack was bumped up to summer 2025, instead of waiting until next year.
And judging by this public burnout session in downtown Detroit, the timing looks spot on.
Could a V8 Still Happen?
Here’s the fun part. Officially, Dodge hasn’t confirmed any Hemi return. However, rumors are circulating, especially with the new leadership at Stellantis making changes. If the Sixpack sells well and we’re betting it will, a limited-run V8 model isn’t off the table.
Until then, this inline-six is doing a solid job holding the line. It sounds good, pulls hard, and isn’t afraid to swing the tail out when it needs to.
Source: Reddit – original video posted showing the Dodge Charger Sixpack drift during Detroit ad shoot.
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