STLA betting big on electrified DCTs

EP6 Peugeot engine for Stellantis STLA Medium 1.6 hybrids

Stellantis is betting big on electrified dual-clutch automatic transmissions (eDCTs) developed by Peugeot and Punch Powertrain. In addition to an American production plant, which will be making the setup for the STLA Medium platform in a few years, Stellantis is retooling the massive Fiat Mirafiori plant in Turin to make the transmissions. The current plan … Read more

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Manual Transmission Update

2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Last week, a few outlets randomly shared articles from last year which addressed the availability of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with the 6-speed manual transmission. That led many readers and prospective buyers (who did not look at the date of publication) to believe that the manual transmission was now available for ordering in … Read more

Is Dodge using a Hurricane, or going all-BEV? (Analysis)

Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee BEV spoiler and engine bay

Analysis. Social media, forums, and comments sections have all seen complaints about Dodge’s future, which many claim will be “all BEV.” In point of fact, there’s never been any indication that this is Stellantis’ plan for Dodge—only for Chrysler.

What we know so far is that Chrysler-the-marque, as opposed to the no-longer-around Chrysler-the-company, is planning to go all-electric by 2030, and at last report was only working on STLA Large—but these are subject to change. FCA US, on the other hand, was looking at being just 50% electric in 2030. That means it’ll still be 50% not-electric.

The last credible installment from our sources claimed that an LB Challenger was indeed on the way, powered by a Hurricane twin-turbo straight six engine…
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How the Demon 170 Hemi Differs from the Redeye Hemi: Deep Dive

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

When the embargo lifted on the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 on Monday, we focused on key parts of the new package, including power, performance, and production numbers, but we didn’t get into how this package makes so much more power than the closely-related Redeye. Today, we dive into what makes the Demon 170’s supercharged Hemi so much more powerful—reaching 1,075 horsepower. (See our initial piece about the 1,025-horsepower, 8-second Demon 170).

When Tim Kuniskis introduced the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 to a small group of media in early March, he held up a camshaft and said that it was the only component that was directly shared between the 6.2-liter Hemi in the Demon 170 and the 6.2-liter Hemi in the Redeye. Everything else was revised in some way, if not replaced altogether. [Read more…]

The Electric Dodge Charger May Be More Affordable than You Think

Dodge Charger Daytona

When it comes to the critics of the federally mandated transformation of the Dodge Charger into an electric vehicle, there are two main groups. The first is comprised of those folks who simply will not accept the idea of driving an electric vehicle, so they have nothing good to say about the electric Dodge Charger … Read more

STLA investing another $155 million in Indiana plants for EVs

Ram and Jeep Electric Drive Module

Stellantis, which includes FCA US, the former Chrysler, has decided to build its electric drive modules (EDM) at Kokomo, Indiana-area plants. The EDM is an all-in-one solution for electric vehicles; making them in Indiana will keep 265 jobs intact at three plants (Indiana Transmission, Kokomo Transmission, and Kokomo Casting). The gearbox cover will be cast … Read more

Direct Connection Hurricane Crate Engines Offer Big Power Potential

Hurricane Twin Turbo

Last year, Dodge announced that the new Hurricane inline-six would join the Direct Connection crate engine lineup, alongside various Hemi crate engines. Those who can’t get over the possible demise of the Hemi refuse to see any upside to the new Hurricane engine, but for those who are happy to have an internal combustion engine in the future of the brand, this engine presents an opportunity.

If nothing else, the fact that Dodge is discussing this engine is proof that the brand doesn’t plan to go all-electric in the immediate future. The trio of Hurricane crate engines, one of which is slated for the next generation Drag Pak car, shows that these engines will pack a serious punch.

The first production application of the Hurricane inline-six engine family was the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. In the big Jeep, the “base” Hurricane pushed out 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque while the Hurricane 510 in the Grand Wagoneer delivers 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Those engines effectively replace the 5.7-liter Hemi in the Wagoneer and the 6.4-liter Hemi in the Grand Wagoneer, and each of the smaller engines pack more power than the V8s that they are replacing. The 5.7-liter Hemi in the Wagoneer offers 392 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque while the 6.4-liter Hemi in the Grand Wagoneer delivers 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, so there are significant increases in both horsepower and torque when comparing the Hemi to the Hurricane in the Wagoneer line. [Read more…]

BEV thermal management: Supercoolers and, yes, intakes and exhausts

Dodge Charger Daytona

Electric motors can get quite hot while operating—and so can batteries when powering those motors. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) makers have all spent a great deal of time and money on thermal management, as gasoline-vehicle makers did before them. Their solutions work well for most people, but there is likely room for more work by enthusiasts. That … Read more

AWD to RWD: STLA patents disengaging BEV wheel

electric jeep wagoneer

In battery-electric vehicles, it’s common to have two motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear wheels; but Stellantis may be the first to have patented a disconnection system for electric cars, to increase range. The idea allows for wheels to continue to generate power from braking, but to only be driven when needed, for the ultimate in electric-vehicle efficiency. [Read more…]

No Hemi for the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is No Surprise

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve

It has been reported by multiple outlets and confirmed by the Jeep brand that the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is not available in the 2023 Grand Cherokee in its shorter, two-row form. The only engine available in the “Build and Price” feature on the Jeep website for the Grand Cherokee is the 3.6-liter V6, although the … Read more

Dodge has Big Plans for the Hurricane Inline Six Engine

Hurricane Inline-Six Engine

We have been talking for years about the Hurricane inline-six engine family; with the arrival of the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, those long-rumored engines have finally come to production.

In the huge Jeeps, both the standard and high-performance variants of the 3.0-liter Hurricane engine provide substantial power, making them reasonable alternatives to the Hemi V8 engines which are also available in luxury Jeeps… [Read more…]

Direct Connection Introduces Three New Hellephant Crate Engines

Hellephant Crate Engine Series

Mopar shocked the world a few years back with the introduction of the Hellephant crate engine. Measuring 426 cubic inches and fitted with a 3.0-liter IHI supercharger, this engine offered 1,000 horsepower on pump gas, but only 100 units were sold during the initial run, making them nearly impossible to get. Seeing the popularity of … Read more

Chevy, Ford and Toyota Top Drag Racing Teams All Use Hemi Engines

Dodge Charger Funny Car NHRA Hemi

A few months back, I attended the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Ohio, where I got to spend the day in the Tony Stewart Racing garage area. While there, I got to watch the teams of Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett as they prepared for their first track action of the … Read more