Dodge Is Preparing Its Most Powerful Charger SIXPACK: Why 600 HP Is Still Only a Prediction

On July 10, 2026, Dodge officially announced that it will unveil the most powerful Charger equipped with a SIXPACK engine. The premiere will take place on August 8 at the Roadkill Nights festival in Pontiac, Michigan. The company has not yet revealed the version's name, exact engine output, price, or delivery schedule.

The new modification is expected to outperform the current Charger Scat Pack, which produces 550 hp. Some automotive publications anticipate output of around 600 hp, but Dodge has not confirmed that figure. Until the August presentation, the only accurate statement is that the new model will produce more than the current 550 hp.

What Dodge Announced on July 10, 2026

The official announcement was made as part of a program celebrating the Charger's 60th anniversary. In the Stellantis announcement dated July 10, 2026, the company directly states that the eleventh Roadkill Nights festival will host the debut of the most powerful Dodge Charger with a SIXPACK powertrain.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026. It will take place near the M1 Concourse complex and along a section of Woodward Avenue in Pontiac. In addition to the premiere, the program includes legal drag races featuring the current 550-hp Charger Scat Pack.

The date also reflects the model's anniversary. The first production Dodge Charger officially debuted on January 1, 1966. Over six decades, the model has gone through eight generations, while the current lineup is the first to combine gasoline and fully electric versions on a shared platform.

How Much More Powerful Will the New Charger Be?

The top gasoline-powered Charger currently available is the Scat Pack, fitted with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, twin turbochargers, and 550 hp. Dodge's description of the vehicle as the “most powerful SIXPACK-powered Charger” means that the new version should exceed this figure.

Exact output had not been announced as of July 19, 2026. The estimate of approximately 600 hp appeared in reports from Car and Driver and Road & Track. Journalists expect Dodge to increase output by more than just a few horsepower, but that remains an expectation rather than a factory specification.

It is also unclear how engineers will achieve the increase. The changes could include different engine calibration, higher boost pressure, revisions to the intake and cooling systems, or a combination of several solutions. The company has not described the technical upgrades, so it is too early to attribute any specific equipment to the new version.

What the Current Charger SIXPACK Is Based On

The new-generation Charger was introduced on March 5, 2024. At that time, Dodge first confirmed that it would offer gasoline versions with the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six alongside the electric Charger Daytona.

For the Charger, the engine received the separate SIXPACK designation and two factory configurations. The standard S.O. version is used in the Charger R/T, while the higher-output H.O. version powers the Scat Pack. On its official SIXPACK engine page, Dodge lists 420 hp and 468 lb-ft for the S.O., along with 550 hp and 531 lb-ft for the H.O.

Current gasoline-powered Chargers use an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The driver can disconnect the front axle and switch the vehicle to rear-wheel drive. Dodge has not yet confirmed the transmission or drivetrain settings for the new modification, although retaining the existing layout would be logical.

Why the New Version Does Not Confirm the Return of HEMI

The announcement specifically concerns the SIXPACK family. That means the August 8 premiere does not confirm a Charger with a V8 HEMI. Rumors about the V8's return continue to circulate, but Dodge has not announced a production version of the current Charger with that engine.

The new SIXPACK will not necessarily become the most powerful Charger in the entire lineup either. The fully electric Charger Daytona Scat Pack produces 670 hp. The upcoming gasoline model could therefore become the most powerful production Charger with an inline-six without surpassing the Daytona's peak output.

It is too early to compare the unknown modification with previous Hellcat models. The company has not published figures for acceleration, top speed, quarter-mile time, or vehicle weight. Without those figures, power alone does not show how much faster the new version will be.

What Data Dodge Still Needs to Reveal

Key vehicle specifications remain unknown ahead of the presentation:

• official name and position within the lineup;

• exact power and torque;

• boost pressure and changes to the engine design;

• transmission, all-wheel-drive, and rear differential settings;

• acceleration figures and top speed;

• available body styles — two-door, four-door, or both;

• price, order-opening date, and start of deliveries.

Another open question is whether the new version will be a standalone model or a package for the Scat Pack. Dodge has not even revealed the badge yet. Names appearing in publications are based on assumptions and trademark filings rather than an official vehicle presentation.

Exact Timeline for the New Charger

What Will Matter Most at the August 8 Premiere

The key question is not just the final horsepower figure. For a heavy all-wheel-drive Charger, traction distribution, engine and transmission cooling, consistency during repeated acceleration runs, and the chassis's ability to use the additional power will all matter.

If Dodge limits the changes to software calibration, the new version could simply sit above the Scat Pack without major structural revisions. If the car receives redesigned turbochargers, upgraded cooling, brakes, and suspension, it would represent a more distinct modification.

As of August 8, only three points are confirmed: the new Charger will retain an engine from the SIXPACK family, it will be more powerful than the current 550-hp version, and it will debut at Roadkill Nights. The remaining specifications should be revealed during the official presentation.