Dodge and MSHS Brought the Heat to Woodward Dream Cruise

Dodge came out swinging at the 2025 Woodward Dream Cruise, turning Metro Detroit’s iconic avenue into a rolling showcase of horsepower and heritage. On Saturday, August 16, the brand locked down a prime spot with the Modern Street HEMI® Shootout club and filled it with the rumble of turbocharged, supercharged, and naturally aspirated HEMIs. 

Building Excitement Ahead of the Cruise – 

The weekend buzz had already been building well before Saturday. On August 8, Dodge pulled the wraps off the 2026 Charger Scat Pack, powered by the all-new twin-turbo 3.0-liter HURRICANE I6, branded as the SIXPACK. That same day, Dodge also unveiled the refreshed 2026 Durango lineup, highlighted by the new Durango SRT HELLCAT Jailbreak.

Just 24 hours later, the 10th annual Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge lit up Woodward Avenue with sanctioned street racing, crowd-favorite grudge matches, and more product reveals. By the time the Dream Cruise arrived, Dodge had already primed the crowd for a full weekend of horsepower.

Dodge’s 2026 Lineup on Display – 

One of the biggest attractions at the display was Dodge’s upcoming 2026 lineup.

The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack headlined with 550 horsepower from its twin-turbo I6. It rockets from 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds, runs the quarter mile in 12.2, and tops out at 177 mph. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) ensures traction, but the ability to switch to rear-wheel drive (RWD) keeps the fun alive. At under $55,000, it easily claims the title of the most powerful car in its class.

Not far away, the 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack showcased Dodge’s EV performance credentials. Delivering 670 horsepower, it blasts 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds, giving it the crown as the most powerful electric car under $60,000.

For SUV fans, Dodge brought the 2026 Durango SRT HELLCAT Jailbreak, complete with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and more than six million personalization options. Displayed in Green Machine and Stryker Purple paint, it pulled plenty of attention. The surprise announcement, however, was that every 2026 Durango—whether a base GT or the flagship HELLCAT—now comes standard with a HEMI V8 and AWD. Orders officially opened August 13.

Direct Connection Brings the Performance – 

Dodge didn’t stop at showing off production cars. The Direct Connection display drew crowds with its lineup of crate engines, go-fast hardware, and performance parts. Factory product specialists were available to answer questions, while trivia contests gave lucky fans a chance to win Dodge gear. It was a perfect mix of hands-on education and pure enthusiast fun.

HURRICrate Builds Take the Spotlight – 

The community display carried just as much excitement as the new models. Morgan Evans, fresh off her second straight Roadkill Nights Grudge Match win, brought her HURRICrate-powered 1987 Dodge D150. Next to her, Boosted Motorsports’ John O’Malley showed off his 2000 Dodge Viper ACR, also running on Dodge’s new HURRICrate powerplant. Both vehicles demonstrated how Dodge’s crate engine program is keeping modern performance alive while giving enthusiasts new options beyond the traditional HEMI.

Rich Rebuilds Steals the Show – 

Perhaps the most unexpected highlight of the day came when Richard Benoit—better known as Rich Rebuilds—rolled up in his HELLCAT minivan. Underneath the body of a late-model Chrysler Town & Country sits the drivetrain of a Charger SRT HELLCAT. The oddball mash-up grabbed immediate attention, and when Benoit lit up Woodward Avenue with a smokey burnout, the crowd erupted in cheers. It was a perfect reminder that Dodge culture is as much about personality and attitude as it is raw horsepower.

My Day on Woodward – 

Between reconnecting with fellow Mopar enthusiasts, exploring the Direct Connection display, and watching the Modern Street HEMI® Shootout guys put on a show, it was one of those Dream Cruise days that reminded me why this event has become such an institution. The Dodge display wasn’t just about cars on display—it was about community, culture, and carrying Detroit muscle tradition forward.