Dodge never hid the fact that the new electric Charger Daytona would eventually offer gas engines, but we now have a rough arrival date to go with the rumors. At the recent National Automobile Dealers Association convention in New Orleans, Stellantis said a new gas-powered Charger model would reach showrooms by this summer.
Remember, Dodge doesn’t have the Hellcat anymore (at least for now), leaving its Hurricane inline-six engine as the only option, though it’s not light on power. The gas-powered Charger Sixpack will be sold in two- and four-door configurations and Dodge is expected to offer all-wheel drive.
The Hurricane makes up to 540 horsepower and has performed well in vehicles like the Ram 1500 RHO, but for many, it won’t be the thunderous V8 from previous Challengers and Chargers offered. That said, there’s no way Dodge couldn’t offer a gas engine in its new car, which comprises one-third of its tiny vehicle offering.
The gas-powered car likely won’t be the salvation Stellantis and its dealers need, but it comes alongside promises from the automaker that it will reverse tumbling sales. Former CEO Carlos Tavares took heat from dealers over the problems the company experienced last year, when sales dropped 15 percent. Even Jeep, the company’s moneymaker, fell nine percent, while Dodge dropped almost 30 percent after discontinuing the previous-gen Challenger and Charger.
[Images: Dodge]
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