2025 Dodge Charger SIX PACK H/O Coupe Ready To Take On Mustang

The muscle car wars are back on with the introduction of the next-generation Dodge Charger. While the Charger is moving past its HEMI® V8 lineup in favor of a new twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine, the new Charger two-door coupe looks to take on Ford’s new Mustang Dark Horse head-on in early 2025.

While Ford has vowed that a V8 will be under the hood of its S650 Mustang for as long as possible, the boys at the blue oval upped their game for 2024 with the introduction of the Dark Horse – a 500 horsepower Coyote V8-powered performance machine with some impressive numbers.

The Mustang Dark Horse features the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0-liter (307 cubic-inch) COYOTE V8 in Mustang history. Forged piston connecting rods from the supercharged GT500 and specific software tuning pushes power to 500 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 418 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,900 rpm, an increase of 20 horsepower and 3 lb.-ft. over the GT.

The Dark Horse features a standard Tremec TR-3160 6-speed manual or an optional 10-speed Select-Shift® automatic transmission. Weighing in at 3,879 lbs., the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) four-passenger coupe can race from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds with the automatic.

Departing from the traditional HEMI® V8 engines, Dodge is embracing innovation by introducing the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter ‘Hurricane’ I6 engines, dubbed the ‘SIX PACK’, as the powerhouse behind its latest muscle car offerings.

The 2025 Charger SIX PACK coupe packs a punch with its high-output (H/O) Hurricane engine, boasting a formidable 550 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm and 521 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3,500 rpm on premium 91 octane (R+M)/2. This powerhouse is paired with an 8-speed ZF-sourced TorqueFlite automatic transmission, ensuring thrilling acceleration and seamless gear shifts.

Dodge is not only shaking up the powertrain but also the drivetrain options. Both the ICE Charger SIX PACK models and their all-electric counterparts feature standard all-wheel-drive (AWD). However, for those craving the classic RWD feel, Dodge offers the option to disable the AWD system with the push of a button, allowing drivers to unleash their inner hooligan.

Dodge has yet to release performance numbers for the large two-door Charger. However, the STLA Large architecture should allow the new two-door Charger to be slightly lighter than the outgoing Challenger. Those who complain about the absence of the HEMI, the Hurricane adds 65 more horsepower and 46 lb.-ft of torque than the outgoing Challenger R/T Scat Pack’s 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) HEMI® APACHE SRT V8. With more power under the hood, a more aerodynamic body, AWD traction, and a lighter architecture, the new two-door Charger should put up a good fight against the Mustang Dark Horse.

Despite the Charger’s bigger footprint, the Charger SIX PACK adds comfort for five passengers, while the Mustang’s crammed rear seat makes it comfortable for two adults and two kids. The new two-door looks to add more comfort and more functionality than the outgoing Challenger, thanks to its five-inch longer wheelbase and clever hatchback design.

We can’t wait to get our hands on the new Charger SIX PACK next year. It will be interesting to see how it compares to our long-term 392 HEMI®-powered RWD 2023 Chrysler 300C.