By Steven Symes 
Now that it’s become apparent Dodge is fast-tracking the reintroduction of Hemi V8s to the new Charger lineup, some are wonder if the Sixpack won’t just be scrapped. This comes after the all-electric Daytona models have faceplanted into the market, making it so the brand is in desperate need of a hit product.
Florida troopers have a new mid-engined patrol car.
This also comes after it was leaked that Dodge was trying to hurry up and release the inline-six Charger Sixpacks this summer after big pushback against the Daytona EVs. But there’s increasing talk and rumors that Dodge might just ditch the Hurricane engine for the Charger altogether.
That honestly doesn’t make sense to us, but then again what’s been happening with Dodge over the last two-plus years also hasn’t added up. With the last-gen Charger and the Challenger, there was a V6 option, so why not still offer the inline-six Hurricane?
The only reason we can think of for why that would be dropped entirely is there’s something fundamentally defective with the engine. But it’s been used in some other products and we’re not aware of them blowing up in mass numbers.
It’s no secret Stellantis, parent company of Dodge is in disarray after the exit of ex-CEO Carlos Tavares. While some want to blame all the dysfunction on him, we have to wonder if the multinational automaker’s woes go far deeper.
The ditching of the Hemi V8 was entirely pinned on Tavares, with unnamed sources within the automaker telling the media “everyone else” but him wanted to keep the gas-guzzling engines around. We’ve wondered how true those claims are.
One thing is definitely clear: Stellantis has a huge mess on its hands. The Dodge model lineup is a shadow of what it was not too long ago, Chrysler is barely existent, Ram has been suffering, and Jeep is in freefall. The company needs to get its ducks in a row and we’ve not sure sinking the Hurricane while bringing back the Hemi V8 line is going to be enough.
Image via Stellantis
Excellent observation
Carlos Tavares “leadership” was one of arrogance that attempted to force feed the European view of automobiles upon the America brands of Chrysler, Dodge and Ram.
It was utterly inconsistent with each brand’s legacy as well as potential American purchasers’ desirers.
He imposed an “my way or no way” approach that undermined each of the brands betting Everything on the battery powered electric motor vehicle when it was and remains quite obvious that there are legitimate concerns and lack of demand for such vehicles; i.e. lack of an electrical power grid infrastructure to support EVs becoming the norm, the environmental costs of disposing or recycling of millions of EV batteries, and the lack of EVs ability to establish range at an economical or efficient cost.
This is not to suggest that EVs should not or cannot be in the Chrysler, Dodge or Ram lineup. Tavares refused to acknowledge the F 150 lightning and Mustang Mach E market mistakes if not outright failures. He also failed to observe or emulate GM’s more measured approach to segment specific EV modes – that is not to say GM’s EVs are or will be successful but GM did not bet the house on a fickle or government soviet style mandated move to ALL EVs.
I applaud Stellantis’ top management for canning Tavares. He was a disaster.
The “Hemi” is an iconic and legitimate intangible to the each of the brands Tavares sabotaged with his arrogance.
I believe the Hurricane in-line six has a place in each of the brand – albeit the packaging of an in-line six poses challenges in the sedan arena.
Chrysler should have a medium and large sedan. They should be available in RWD and AWD. The large sedan should be available with the Hemi. Sound familiar. This was the playbook that Mercedes Benz was implementing. Chrysler should be the American luxury alternative to BMW and Mercedes. Chrysler should have an EV model for each sedan.
Dodge should follow the Chrysler model but with a sportier and muscle car focus – less luxury more driver focus. An EV should be available. The Durango should receive an update as there remains a significant market for SUVs of this size – it should have a hybrid, in-line six and Hemi option. A diesel version would blow GM and Ford’s minds.
Ram Must get its Hemi back.
My Dad and Uncles were MOPAR Men.
Chrysler was the first US Auto company to broadly adopt unibody construction, Hemi engines and an automatic transmission that was almost indestructible.
Stellantis should draw on the history of Chrysler’s engineering excellence and innovation.
Stellantis Must place MOPAR aficionados in charge of Chrysler, Dodge and RAM.
GM and Ford are ripe for the taking as neither, except for Cadillac, build a sedan that can compete with Audi, BMW or Benz. Chrysler can be that competitor and Dodge can be the M or AMG version.
Enough of soviet style market deaf mandating a product line that not even Europeans want.
[…] Stellantis Only Has Itself To Blame For Its Woes After 100 Years, Chrysler Is Basically Dead Dodge Could Scrap The Charger Sixpack People Are Panic Buying New And Used Cars Win a Rotisserie-Restored 1965 Pontiac GTO […]
[…] you’re a diehard Mopar guy, or you just want to enjoy a nice V8 muscle car, this 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack might catch your attention. While it’s a […]
[…] its Direct Connection performance parts brand, Dodge has launched a new theft deterrent device for all Hemi-powered muscle cars it no longer makes. Why […]