The gas-powered 2026 Dodge Charger runs on the SIXPACK, Dodge’s name for the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six. It comes in two outputs: 420 horsepower in the Charger R/T and 550 horsepower in the Charger Scat Pack. Both use the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive with a rear-wheel-drive mode.
I’m Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone CDJR in Hutchinson. This guide explains how the SIXPACK is built, how the two outputs differ, how it compares with the HEMI® it replaces, and what to know about owning one in central Minnesota. If you’re also looking at the electric Daytona, see our gas vs. electric comparison. For the full lineup, see our 2026 Dodge Charger buyer’s guide.
Jump to a section
What is the SIXPACK engine?
SIXPACK is the badge Dodge gives the award-winning 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo straight-six in the 2026 Charger R/T and Scat Pack.
The name is a nod to Dodge history. In the 1970s, the SIXPACK badge referred to three two-barrel carburetors for a total of six barrels. Dodge revived it for 2026 with a six-cylinder layout. A carbon-styled engine cover with a red-accented SIXPACK logo sits under the Scat Pack’s hood, and both SIXPACK models wear a performance hood with a SIXPACK bezel.
- Displacement: 3.0 liters, inline-six, 84 x 90mm bore and stroke
- Valvetrain: dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, wide-range independent variable valve timing
- Fuel system: high-pressure direct injection at 5,075 psi (350 bar) with centrally mounted injectors
- Turbos: twin counter-rotating turbochargers with engine-mounted water-to-air charge air cooling
- Built at: the Saltillo Engine Plant in Saltillo, Mexico, according to Dodge’s spec sheet
How is the SIXPACK engine built?
Dodge builds the SIXPACK around a deep-skirt cast-aluminum block with plasma-coated cylinder bores, and the high-output version adds a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods.
- Block: a deep-skirt cast-aluminum block with steel main bearing caps on both engines.
- H.O. bottom end: a structural aluminum oil pan and cross-bolted steel main bearing caps holding a forged steel crankshaft and forged steel connecting rods. Dodge also deck-plate hones the H.O. block for a better bore shape.
- Cylinder bores: a plasma transfer wire arc coating creates an ultra-thin, durable, low-friction surface.
- Pistons: oil-jet cooled with an anodized top ring and diamond-like coating on the pins. The H.O. uses forged aluminum; the S.O. uses cast aluminum.
- Charge cooling: engine-mounted water-to-air charge air coolers run on their own cooling circuit to keep intake temperatures in check through repeated hard runs.
Our R/T vs. Scat Pack comparison covers how this hardware changes the driving experience between the two models.
What’s the difference between the SIXPACK S.O. and H.O.?
The high-output engine in the Scat Pack makes 130 more horsepower than the standard-output engine in the R/T, thanks to bigger turbos, more boost, forged pistons and a low-restriction intake and exhaust.
| Spec | SIXPACK S.O. (R/T) | SIXPACK H.O. (Scat Pack) |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 420 @ 5,200 rpm | 550 @ 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 468 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm | 531 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Turbochargers | Twin 50mm, up to 22 psi | Twin Garrett GT2054 54mm, up to 30 psi |
| Pistons | Cast aluminum | Forged aluminum |
| Compression ratio | 10.4:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Fuel | 91 octane recommended for max performance | 91 octane required |
| 0–60 mph / quarter mile | 4.6 sec / 12.9 sec | 3.9 sec / 12.2 sec |
Dodge says the S.O. delivers 100% of its peak torque at 2,500 rpm. The H.O. delivers 88% of peak torque at 2,500 rpm and more than 90% from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm, and Dodge calls it the most powerful version of the Hurricane in production. Its Garrett turbos spin up to 185,000 rpm with turbine wheels made of Inconel 713 to handle the heat. Both engines hold 7.5 quarts of oil.
How does the SIXPACK compare with the HEMI V8 it replaces?
Dodge says the SIXPACK R/T is quicker and more powerful than the 5.7L HEMI Charger R/T it replaces in every measure below.
| Metric | Outgoing 5.7L HEMI R/T | 2026 SIXPACK R/T | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 370 | 420 | +50 hp |
| Torque | 395 lb-ft | 468 lb-ft | +73 lb-ft |
| 0–60 mph | 5.1 sec | 4.6 sec | −0.5 sec |
| Quarter mile | 13.5 sec | 12.9 sec | −0.6 sec |
Those are Dodge’s numbers. The biggest change you’ll notice isn’t on a spec sheet: an inline-six sounds different from a V8. The 2026 Charger lineup does not offer a HEMI V8.
What transmission and drivetrain does the SIXPACK use?
Both SIXPACK engines use the TorqueFlite 880RE eight-speed automatic with standard all-wheel drive and a push-button rear-wheel-drive mode.
- On-demand RWD: a multi-disc wet clutch opens at the push of a button to send 100% of torque to the rear wheels.
- Front-axle disconnect: the AWD system can disconnect the front axle to cut driveline losses and improve fuel economy.
- Limited-slip rear: a standard mechanical limited-slip differential keeps both rear wheels pulling.
- Paddle shifters come on the Scat Pack.
- Torque splits: Dodge lists 40/60 front to rear in Auto and Eco, 50/50 in Wet/Snow, 30/70 in Sport and 0/100 in RWD or Line Lock.
What does the SIXPACK sound like?
It sounds like a twin-turbo straight-six, not a V8. The Scat Pack’s active dual-mode exhaust opens fully in Sport mode for the most sound.
The Scat Pack’s exhaust uses electronically controlled valves with a different tuning character for each drive mode, and active noise cancelling filters unwanted frequencies in the cabin while letting the exhaust note through. The R/T gets its own performance-tuned exhaust. Both use 100mm rolled dual exhaust tips, in bright finish or Eclipse with the Blacktop® Package. If you want more sound, Dodge lists a performance cat-back exhaust kit among the Mopar® accessories for SIXPACK models. Ask our parts department about it.
What should central Minnesota owners know about the SIXPACK?
Plan on premium fuel, lean on the Wet/Snow mode in winter, and keep up with routine Mopar service.
- Fuel: the Scat Pack requires 91-octane premium, and Dodge recommends it for maximum performance in the R/T. Make sure your usual stop carries it.
- Winter driving: Wet/Snow mode locks the torque split at 50/50 and softens shifts for slick roads.
- Ground clearance: about 5.5 inches, so take care with unplowed driveways and rough gravel.
- Service: follow the maintenance schedule for your Charger. Our Hutchinson service team works on the 2026 Charger and SIXPACK engine.
Key Takeaways
- SIXPACK is Dodge’s name for the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six
- S.O. (R/T): 420 hp / 468 lb-ft, twin 50mm turbos, up to 22 psi
- H.O. (Scat Pack): 550 hp / 531 lb-ft, twin Garrett 54mm turbos, up to 30 psi, forged pistons
- Dodge says the R/T adds 50 hp and 73 lb-ft over the 5.7L HEMI R/T it replaces
- TorqueFlite 880RE eight-speed automatic with standard AWD and push-button RWD
- 91-octane premium required on the Scat Pack and recommended on the R/T
Frequently asked questions: the 2026 Charger SIXPACK engine
What is the SIXPACK engine in the 2026 Dodge Charger?
SIXPACK is Dodge's name for the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six in the gas-powered 2026 Charger. It comes as a 420-horsepower standard-output (S.O.) engine in the Charger R/T and a 550-horsepower high-output (H.O.) engine in the Charger Scat Pack.
Why is it called SIXPACK?
Dodge says the SIXPACK badge was well known in the 1970s, when it referred to three two-barrel carburetors for a total of six barrels. The 2026 Charger revives the name with a straight six-cylinder layout.
How does the SIXPACK R/T compare with the old 5.7L HEMI Charger R/T?
Dodge says the SIXPACK R/T makes 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, which is 50 more horsepower and 73 more lb-ft than the 5.7L HEMI R/T it replaces. It also cuts 0-60 mph from 5.1 to 4.6 seconds and the quarter mile from 13.5 to 12.9 seconds.
What is the difference between the SIXPACK S.O. and H.O.?
The H.O. in the Scat Pack makes 550 horsepower with twin Garrett 54mm turbochargers at up to 30 psi of boost, forged-aluminum pistons and a low-restriction intake and exhaust. The S.O. in the R/T makes 420 horsepower with twin 50mm turbochargers at up to 22 psi and cast-aluminum pistons.
Does the SIXPACK engine need premium fuel?
Dodge lists 91-octane premium fuel as required for the high-output engine in the Scat Pack, and as recommended for maximum performance in the standard-output engine in the R/T.
What transmission does the 2026 Charger SIXPACK use?
Both SIXPACK engines use the TorqueFlite 880RE eight-speed automatic. Its multi-disc wet clutch system lets the driver switch from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive at the push of a button, sending 100% of torque to the rear wheels.
Where can I get my Charger SIXPACK serviced near Hutchinson?
Jay Malone CDJR at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson services the 2026 Charger, including the SIXPACK engine. Schedule online or call (320) 587-4748.
The best way to judge the SIXPACK is to drive one. Stop in at Jay Malone CDJR, 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson, and we’ll set you up with no pressure. We never charge a fee to locate or factory order a vehicle. The Malone family has owned and operated Jay Malone CDJR since 2005, on a Highway 7 West corner that has been home to a Hutchinson dealership since 1980, and Hutchinson voted us Best Place to Buy a Vehicle in 2026.
Last reviewed November 2026. Specs are from Dodge and Stellantis 2026 Charger materials; features and availability vary by model and can change. Confirm equipment on a specific vehicle with our team.
About the Author
I’m Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN. I was named to the CBT News 40 Under 40, Class of 2026 and was the Hutchinson Area Chamber’s 2025 Young Leader of the Year. I’m proud to be part of the family business my dad Jay took over in 2005, and to serve the community I grew up in through the Hutchinson Ambassadors and the Chamber of Commerce. If you have questions about the SIXPACK Charger, reach out and I’d love to help.