Dodge’s Next-Generation Hurricane Powered Muscle Cars Look To Outperform The Mustang!

For the past few months, Dodge fans have been torn by the brand’s announcement of moving toward electrification for its The next generation Dodge Challenger (LB) and Charger (LF) muscle cars. While electrification opens up a whole new possibility for the performance of two muscle car nameplates, die-hard fans of the HEMI V8 have been vocal about their frustrations. on Dodge’s decision to focus on electric-powered muscle cars about the V8s.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept. (Dodge).

Dodge has tried to cushion the blow by showcasing features like a multi-speed gearbox and a proprietary exhaust system to allow its new “e-muscle” cars to feel more like the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that eventually they are replacing. But it seems to have created more chaos than good, as HEMI enthusiasts aren’t buying EVs yet.

It was not shortly after the Dodge announcement, that Ford introduced its new 2024 Ford Mustang (S650). But what made Dodge fans take it twice was the fact that Ford stuck with its 5.0-liter (302 cu in) Coyote V8 for its performance-oriented models. Not only did they stick with the Coyote, but they continued to offer manual and automatic transmission options.

2024 Ford Mustang dark horse. (Ford).

On Friday, Ford officially released the official power numbers for its fourth-generation Coyote V8. On GT models, power increases to 486 horsepower thanks to a new dual-throttle body design with an available active-valve performance exhaust system (480 horsepower without active-valve exhaust) and 415 pound-feet -foot. of torque In the new top-of-the-line Mustang Dark Horse model, the Coyote offers 500 horsepower and 418 ft.-lbs. of pair

But while Dodge may not be packing up its HEMI V8 lineup in 2024, even though Dodge has yet to make an official announcement, our sources have been indicating for some time that the next-generation Challenger and Charger will continue to offer ICE options with the automaker’s new lineup of twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engines.

Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter GME-T6 HO (Hurricane) inline-six engine. (Stellantis).

Making its official debut under the hood of the 2023 Jeep® Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer (WS) lineupThe two Hurricane inline-six engines employ state-of-the-art engineering and technologies including two low-inertia, high-flow turbochargers for quick response to throttle inputs, plasma transfer wire arc (spray hole) coating on cylinder bores for ultra-thin, low-friction wear surface and high-pressure (5075 psi/350 bar) direct fuel injection.

All-aluminum, twin-turbo Hurricane engines deliver an outstanding 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft. of torque in its standard output (SO) form, and a staggering 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque for the High Performance (HO) variant.

Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter GME-T6 SO (Hurricane) inline-six engine. (Stellantis).

Both variants are predicted to power the next-generation Challenger and Charger, along with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), another feature Ford’s Mustang lacks.

We look forward to learning more about next-generation muscle cars after the start of the new year. But if our sources are correct, the Hurricane HO engine will outperform Dark Horse’s Coyote V8.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept. (Dodge).

It will be interesting to see how these new Hurricane engines perform in a newer, lighter STLA Large architecture that will underpin next-generation muscle cars.

Dodge has announced, however, that it will highlight their new series Dodge Direct Connection HurriCrate of engines, derived from the Hurricane engine, as the building blocks of their respective drag car build projects for next year’s MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event. It’s the first bold announcement from the automaker to show the intended direction with the Hurricane engine moving forward.

So will Hurricane straight-six engines be enough to bring EV naysayers back to America’s power-car brand?