Could Dodge Make a 1,000-Horsepower Charger Hurricane Hybrid?
By Edward A. Sanchez — March 7, 2024
Few other companies are as adept at creating excitement among their fan base as Stellantis North America. Dodge, Jeep, and Ram all have devoted, die-hard fans. Among the three, I would assert that over the last decade, Dodge has cultivated the most passionate fanbase in the shortest amount of time, driven largely by unabashedly retro-themed styling, loud, rumbling engines, and brash in-your-face paintjobs and decal packages.
Even in the transition to the inevitable electrified future, Dodge did not water down the attitude and styling of the STLA-Large based Charger coupe and sedan. If anything, it leaned in further to the retro theme. The EV versions will come to market first, followed by the Hurricane “Sixpack” models.
As I hypothesized in my post on the new Charger EV, the car’s styling and performance could convince even die-hard petrol-heads to consider an EV. But there will be those who will resist full electrification to the bitter end. Dodge knows this. Which is one of the reasons why it’s offering the Hurricane. But don’t for a moment think that the 550 hp Sixpack H.O. is the pinnacle of the Charger’s ICE performance.
You may remember a few months ago, I speculated that the Ram 1500 TRX could make a return utilizing a hybrid variant of the Hurricane, bringing even more power to the table than the Hellcat-powered TRX. I believe a variant of that formula could be applied to the Charger as well. Possibly kicked up a notch.
Like the hypothetical Hurricane hybrid TRX, I expect the Charger could employ a hybrid version of ZF’s 8-speed automatic. To bring it to the vaunted four-figure output mark, it could employ front hub motors. While this is a much more Goldbergian approach to horsepower than the Hellcat variants were, and even more technically complex and convoluted than a full-EV approach would be, it could be worth it, if for no other reason that generating excitement and publicity. I also fully expect at some point, there will be a fully electric ultra-high-performance version as well, with a similar level of output.
This sibling rivalry will inevitably result in the major automotive media outlets, influencers, bloggers, YouTube channels, etc., pitting the full EV and hybrid models against each other. Regardless of which vehicle “wins,” this is a favorable scenario for Dodge either way. Of course, both of these models will probably be priced in the six figures and be limited-production models.
Some of you EV die-hards reading this may be reacting, “Yawn. The Model S Plaid has 1,000 hp for only $90,000.” True. But as alluded to in my post on the Charger EV, the chances that the two models will be cross-shopped new is minimal, with the exception of used Plaids, which could end up being a competitor for EV enthusiast dollars.
For EVs to be successful, the offerings need to be diverse. Everything from sub-$20,000 urban runabouts, to $35,000-50,000 mainstream crossovers and sedans, to six-figure luxury models. As I’ve noted in many other posts, the charging infrastructure needs to be up to the task as well, but that’s a whole other topic I could spill many more pixels on.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing the new era of electrified muscle play out.
(Image courtesy Stellantis)
