Dodge is expected to announce a new powertrain on July 8, with many believing there will be a battery-electric or serious-hybrid version of the Charger and Challenger on that date. The rationale is Dodge chief Tim Kuniskis’ statement that “we will have some pretty interesting stuff [on] July 8” to Muscle Cars and Trucks, on the topic of reinventing the muscle car.
One serious gasoline-powered muscle car.
Electrification is perhaps overdue—as the easiest way to avoid buying emissions credits from Tesla. FCA did release a PHEV minivan in the United States, but sales have been fairly low. The Wrangler recently gained a “4xe” hybrid, but it only raises fuel economy to that of the traditional engine; it mainly provides superior acceleration. Then there are the Ram 1500 mild-hybrids, which have a fairly small impact compared with a full-hybrid setup, but at a low cost.
Some have already started saying that there will be an entirely new Dodge, combining this statement with rumors of a Dodge Hornet—a compact crossover, sedan, or wagon, presumably based on the Compass or a Peugeot. The Compass platform could likely hold a 2-liter turbocharged engine, which could provide Dodge-like acceleration under the right conditions.
Finally, there is a GME-based inline turbocharged six-cylinder rumored to be in the works—but we’ll have more on that tomorrow.

David Zatz started what was to become the world’s biggest, most comprehensive Mopar site in 1994 as he pursued a career in organizational research and change. After a chemo-induced break, during which he wrote car books covering Vipers, minivans, and Jeeps, he returned with Patrick Rall to create StellPower.com for daily news, and to set up MoTales for mo’ tales.
David Zatz has around 30 years of experience in covering Chrysler/Mopar news and history, and most recently wrote Century of Chrysler, a 100-year retrospective on the Chrysler marque.
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