More muscle — Windsor Assembly to churn out gas-powered Dodge Chargers

Article content

For muscle car purists who have been waiting for Stellantis to offer a new Dodge charger, the wait should be a little shorter.

The company’s goal is to start ramping up production of new twin-turbocharged Hurricane i6-powered chargers. Currently, Windsor assembly plant is running out of full chargers.

Sam Fiorani, vice president of Autoforecast Solutions, said Stellantis produced a smaller number of “Six Sixpack” chargers during its pilot production process.

Article content

“The schedule is roughly the same as last summer, but not as many as scheduled now,” Fiolani told the Star.

“They are considering double the number. They are looking for 1,000 per month for two-door chargers. They will produce multi-roll four-door vehicles in October, and the real number will start in December.”

The Hurricane i6 engine offers 420 and 550 horsepower options.

Previously, the company was even more vague, only at some point in the second half of the year as the target of launching all two hurricane-powered Sixpack models.

Dodge brand CEO Matt McAlear told the Star that when asked about the schedule for hurricane-powered chargers at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the company was always eager to speed up new products.

Article content

“I always tell people that at the end of the day, as manufacturers, our job is to bring products to market as quickly as possible,” McClell said.

“Have products ready for commercial use and sitting on them. The truth is, we’re always trying to come up with everything.”

Mopar Insiders, a multimedia platform dedicated to covering news related to Stellantis, reported that the company is exploring the recovery of its Hemi V-8 engine program, and the new charger is one of the vehicles offering that option.

The company’s Dundee plant will produce the V-8 in 5.7-liter, 6.4-liter Apache and 6.2-liter Hell sizes, which may be around the end of 2026, and then a Hemi charger will appear, the report said.

Article content

Autofoforecast Solutions confirmed to Star on Wednesday that Stellantis is restarting its Hemi engine production.

“Stellantis is preparing for more Hemi V8 production,” Fiolani said. “With the call for parts, we expect production to increase early next year.”

Fiolani said that since U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to change emission standards that continue at the end of the decade, Hami’s return is economically significant for Stanlandis.

“The transition to electric vehicles will be longer than any automaker thinks, and that’s probably most of the next 15 years,” Fiolani said.

“Given that Stellantis is bringing back a sealed engine, rather than designing a new one, they can build it for another five years.

Article content

“Buyers love how it feels and sounds. They want you to know they’re here before they see them.”

McAlear coy didn’t understand that when asked earlier this year whether the decision to use the V-8 surpassed the Dodge Durango this year, meaning Stellantis could bring back the Hemi option in vehicles like a charger.

McAlear replied: “We are covering all power trains and never say it will never say it.”

Because Stellantis has the vision to design its four new platforms to handle multiple powertrains, he said the company is ready to adapt quickly to market changes.

Article content

“Anyone who tells you knows where the industry is going, and I promise you are providing you with a line,” McArler said.

“Currently, over the next decade, government regulations, administrative changes, adoption of consumer adoption, infrastructure construction will change too much and will not change at the same rate in your country or this country.

“That’s what this new charger is exciting, and the multi-energy platform means we can respond to different needs at different times and meet the needs of ice and electric vehicle technology and adapt as the industry changes.”

dwaddell@postmedia.com

twitter.com/winstarwaddell

Article content