The iconic Hemi V8 engine on the Dodge Charger R/T has been swapped for a V6 this year. But will that go well with muscle car enthusiasts? We aren’t sure yet, but Dodge has been trying hard to show how the new car outperforms the outgoing variant.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was a byword for muscle that went on to become an identity that the Charger could proudly wear on its sleeve. But now, that responsibility has been entrusted to a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine.
That is two cylinders less and an engine with an inline configuration. However, Dodge has been hinting that the new Charger with the smaller engine is more powerful. Dodge CEO Matt McAlear explained that the new car is “quicker, faster, and more capable.” He also emphasized that it is now a more practical car “that can double as an everyday driver, with an award-winning interior and best in-class cargo volume.”
With 420 hp (426 PS) and 468 lb-ft (634 Nm) of torque, the new Charger R/T churns an additional 50 hp and 73 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing R/T. If that sounds interesting, then one may be impressed by knowing that these numbers have also made a significant difference on a drag strip.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 shot the Charger R/T from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds, crossing the quarter mile mark in 13.5 seconds. The new Charger with the inline-six engine goes from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and crosses the quarter mile marker in 12.9 seconds.
Prices for the new Charger R/T begin at $49,995. However, the real question is whether it packs the muscle rumble that appeals to potential buyers. Because a muscle car wasn’t just about 0-60 numbers, it was about the persona it offered in the overall package.
While Dodge dropped the traditional V8 from its lineup, its rival Ford recently announced that it will continue producing manual variants of the Mustang to keep its spirit alive. Only the GT and Dark Horse variants of the Ford Mustang will feature manual gearboxes, and they come paired with the 5.0-liter V8 engine. That isn’t going anywhere either, as confirmed by Ford CEO Jim Farley. He said:
“Out of our cold, dead hands will we not have a manual Mustang.”
He added:
“I really believe Ford best serves the working people and enthusiast drivers. And that’s increasingly off-road as well as on-road, and I like to say we don’t have any boring cars at Ford.”
Farley also confirmed that an electric Mustang will never be produced. He said:
“We’ve been testing and we really do believe partial electric powertrains work well for performance drivers. One thing I can promise, however, is that we will never make an all-electric Mustang. I look at other users of pure-electric power such as Formula E, and even companies like Rimac, and I just don’t think that would be right for Mustang. Great for other Fords – look at the worldwide success of Transit – but not for Mustang.”
Is Mustang doing a lot more than Dodge to keep the petrolhead tradition alive?
