Rumors Suggest The Electric Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Will Be Available With A Gas-Powered I6 Engine

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee is a preview of things to come under Dodge’s next-gen e-muscle lineup. While some muscle car enthusiasts are intrigued, there are many others who are disappointed and/or heartbroken over this new platform change. So it was no wonder that the limited-edition “Last Call” models of the current generation of Challengers and Chargers were so popular and in demand before the brand bids farewell to the HEMI V8 in 2024.

This would mean that with Dodge converting its muscle cars to electric, and Chevrolet discontinuing the Camaro, the 2024 Ford Mustang would remain as the last true-to-definition muscle car standing.

However, there are some rumors circulating about the upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona SRT that suggest that it may not be available only as an EV. According to Mopar Insiders, there could be a gas-powered Charger in development that will feature a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter “Hurricane6” inline-six engine.

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT as an ICE?

With the 2024 Ford Mustang already luring new customers, it is possible that many of them are previous Dodge owners who are feeling a bit jilted over the company’s decision to go down the e-muscle route, while the Mustang is staying true to gas-powered muscle with its mighty 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine. In addition to being available in both automatic and manual transmissions, Ford’s new performance-based V8 is capable of producing 486 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque on the GT models. Meanwhile, the high-performance and highly desirable Dark Horse model’s V8 packs even more power with 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque.

While the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee has an estimated 807 horsepower, 707 lb-ft of torque, and can go 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, will traditional Dodge fans be able to rally behind an electrified e-muscle car?

Dodge’s Response to the 2024 Ford Mustang

Despite the lack of a HEMI V8 in its 2024 lineup, rumors suggest that a new Charger equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine could aid in the automaker’s battle against the Ford Mustang in the modern-day muscle car market. Because your average Dodge enthusiast may tell you that not everyone is 100% excited enough to stand behind the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee’s electric platform. So some ICE options of the Charger and Challenger could work to the brand’s benefit.

It is believed that Stellantis has been intending to replace the HEMI V8 with the new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engines for some time. It produces 420 horsepower, 510 lb-ft of torque, and emits 15% less CO2 than the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, which currently produces 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.  The 3.0-liter Hurricane also exists as a 510 generating 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque as equipped in the 2023 Grand Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L.

While the idea of a V6 engine sounds less “muscle car” than a V8, it could be enough to attract new Dodge purists, as well as prevent other loyal fans from converting over to the Ford Mustang. Only time will tell.