NEXT-GENERATION DODGE CHALLENGER MAY GET FUTURE SIX-CYLINDER ENGINE

It feels like what as the original plan for the next-generation Dodge Challenger was put on ice when Stellantis announced plans switching over to electric vehicles. More worrying still, the Hellcat V8 would not be found in any Dodge passenger cars beyond 2023, signaling a stark contrast of what’s to come versus what’s built up tons of clout over the past six years. But the Challenger seems to have a bit of fight left in it, as new reports indicate that the Dodge Challenger might be the first car to get the new 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, dubbed the GME-T6, in 2023.

Dodge Challenger Getting Twin-Turbo Straight Six?

An unofficial but reliable source has told StellPower that the twin-turbo straight-six would first debut in the Dodge Challenger. Because of this it’s likely the Dodge Charger will also receive this engine and several other vital vehicles in the FCA fleet, such as the next-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee. Of note, earlier reports had indicated that the GME-T6 would debut in the WL Jeep Grand Cherokee by now, but that hasn’t been the case.

The report continues to say that the next-generation Dodge Challenger will be sold in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and will likely have a sizeable power increase over the current Pentastar V6 engine. Another claim has stated that the GME-T6 engine is intended to replace the current 5.7-liter Hemi V8. It’s unclear whether or not the Dodge Challenger equipped with the GME-T6 will be sold in combination with a hybrid powertrain in some manner, but we can’t imagine it not happening at this point. This electrified powertrain could possibly replace the Hellcat in some fashion, should it deliver north of 700 horsepower. Meanwhile, an unassisted gasoline GME-T6 engine may produce enough power to match the 5.7L Hemi V8 while offering more torque. It’s rumored for the next-generation Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, after all.

What About The Electric Muscle Car?

Dodge will debut its first electric vehicle in concept form in early 2022, along with two other new vehicles. It will be an operational, drivable vehicle that will eventually lead to the debut of a production model that will premiere at the end of the recently announced Dodge Never Lift Campaign, come 2023. Previously teased during Stellantis EV Day, this electric muscle car is expected to carry several design cues from the 1970 Dodge Charger, and could even be called as much. Stellantis also holds rights to the ‘Cuda nameplate, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Dodge resurrects this hallowed Plymouth muscle car as an electric vehicle. Leveraging (or contorting) old names over creating new ones is an industry trend that just doesn’t seem to be going away.

What We Know About The GME-T6

The new GME-T6 or Global Medium Engine Turbo-6 patent filing was first discovered in 2019. But the patent was initially filed by FCA in November of 2017. The new engine expected to be available with various outputs, ranging from around 360 horsepower on up to more than 500 horsepower, likely before the assistance of electrification. As such, Stellantis has a better shot of being emissions compliant while delivering the performance customers are used to. As for whether or not the price points will be the same as we see today, that remains to be seen.

While Stellantis is holding future plans close to the chest with the GME-T6 engine, we are excited to  see what happens with the boosted straight-six nevertheless.