The 8th generation Dodge Charger was designed to be both an electric vehicle as well as allow internal combustion engines from the very start. It arrived first on the market however as an EV which thus far has not at all been popular with the demographic of buyers who usually gravitate to the vehicle.
It’s a positive move then for Stellantis that the first gasoline powered Chargers are hitting the market. In such the first model to arrive is the Challenger Scat Pack with the high output version of the new 3.0-liter twin turbocharged inline six with 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque.
Our tester showed up wearing a handsome set of 20 x 11-inch wheels and a bright coat of “Peel Out” paint. It looks the part. This Charger is a bug guy too. At 196-inches in length and 80-inches wide it’s within inches of the 1968-1970 Charger it most closely resembles in form.
Styling is a well curated collection of homage to the past muscle-car design cues and even offers up some playful touches. It’s understated however in a way that isn’t adolescent. It has a sense of class and balance that makes it strong and powerful in a visual sense without being over the top.
Its interior is modern and massive in its space. Well laid out and designed, our tester was trimmed out with soft materials, accent stitching, and ambient lighting touches all around. Technology abounds with a 16-inch instrument cluster screen and a 12.3-inch infotainment center.
All of it well serves the driver the crisp graphics, generous customization and good audio quality from its optional Alpine sound package. Feature content is on the appropriate level with its $67,460 as tested price but there were a few things we found to nit-pick.
The all-glass roof for instance at $995 does not have an opening section nor does it have an opaque cover to block out the sun. It’s squircle steering wheel while sexy looking is an odd duck to get used to when driving around town. It’s vinyl seats while comfortable and handsome really ought to be genuine leather at this price tag.
Firing up the “Hurricane” inline six wakes up the neighbors in true muscle-car fashion. It’s multi-mode exhaust system is loud even on the quietest settings. Unfortunately this muscle-car growl has an odd note, that sounds more like a Ford Pinto with a hole in its muffler than a good old V8.
The good news is that when you put full power to it, the sound becomes much more enjoyable as the engine doles out massive amounts of power regardless of where you are. Turbo lag? No. Delay? No. Transmission slow? No. This thing clicks off power like a Swiss watch on steroids and pleases a man good. And yes it sounds decent in this place.
Handling is sharp and crisp, tight and solid in a way one might not expect in a car that weighs about 5,000 pounds with a driver in it. Chalk that up to a chassis designed to haul around a 1,200 pound battery pack that is set free to carry a more conventional powertrain. It’s solid and feels like it.
Steering and turn in gives you direct change in movement without the sense of weight transfer a large car might typically offer. Braking is commendable due to its large Brembo hardware. Grip is good because 305 section tires are just what the doctor ordered.
This is a car that this muscle-car fan can walk away from almost entirely in love. It does everything right, looks the part, and doesn’t let down in too many spots. It’s the sound though. While the inline six is a gem of an engine, it’s song really doesn’t play well on this station.
