I keep thinking about entry level vehicles and the more "low-end/affordable" trim levels with this next chapter of Mopar vehicles and of course, for me, my main focus is on the Charger and I can't help but really think about the 3.6L Pentastar V6. This engine has been in the Charger since 2011 puting out 292hp (303hp in the Challenger) with no real upgrades whatsoever. What's crazy to me is that I look at what GM had with the Camaro V6 with the same-size 3.6L but it put out 335hp and I feel like Mopar could upgrade the Pentastar 3.6L to that same 335hp, bump torque to around 295lb-ft just on the engine along, but then add the new ZF Gen-4 8-speed hybrid transmission to the back and have an amazing entry level charger solidly in the low $30K range. While alot of people, I feel, may look at the Hybrid transmission as just a way to compromise for economy, I look at it as a tunable power adder with a "clean energy" side effect. Let's say this next-gen Charger comes with an SXT model with a 3.6L Hybrid with the engine putting out 335hp/295tq, add a low output hybrid version of the Gen-4 8-speed that has in itself about 50hp and 100lb-ft of torque so right there you have 385hp/395lb-ft of torque. While those numbers don't set the world on fire in any way shape or form, that's 15hp more than a 5.7L Hemi with equal amounts of torque but with a better power band, yet it's still 35hp & 73lb-ft of torque shy of the Charger Six Pack GT. While some people would consider a car like this a "Food Stamp" trim level of the Charger, it's the affordable levels of these cars that keep the lights on and there is no reason that these cars shouldn't have special packages. Would it be so bad to have a Charger SXT/GLH Package that would incorporate a Direct Connection Tune, Cold air intake, and a high flow exhaust along with some "Pursuit" Spec upgrades including a newer equivalent of the "BR9" brake package that offer a 4-piston caliper setup (front & rear) from Akebono along with the same size 15.4" front rotors and 13.8" rear rotors but with them being just plain face rotors along with "pursuit" spec sway bars and a 3:09 gear ratio with the selectable AWD setup, drive modes, GLH package 20x11" wheels wrapped around 275/45R20 all season performance tires, GLH body work and graphics and GLH interior upgrades. Even if that pushes the car to 405hp/418lb-of torque, that still sits below the Six Pack GT in terms of power but gives the volume selling SXT variation a celebrated package that works similarly to how the Camaro had the RS 1LE package for the 3.6L. It's not much but it adds excitement and customization to the attainable trim levels. Something the brand desperately needs
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