Critical Shifts:
-
The 60-Year Milestone: Dodge is celebrating six decades of the Charger legacy (1966–2026) with a massive nationwide summer road trip targeting high-profile automotive culture events across the US.
-
Transition to the SIXPACK Era: The 2026 lineup moves away from traditional V8s toward the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine (the Hurricane platform), dubbed the "SIXPACK." The lineup features a 420-horsepower standard-output Charger R/T and a 550-horsepower high-output Charger Scat Pack.
-
National Event Activations: Dodge is focusing on massive regional car shows (like the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals) and historical landmarks (Route 66 Centennial Parade) to showcase the new cars and bridge the gap between vintage heritage and modern engineering.
-
Woodward Avenue Focus: Metro Detroit serves as a core anchor for the tour, hosting both Roadkill Nights (featuring real-world drag racing on Woodward Avenue using the 550-hp Scat Pack models) and the traditional Woodward Dream Cruise.
-
NHRA Historic Return: The tour wraps up in mid-September at the Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals in Martin, Michigan, marking the NHRA’s first national event stop in the state in 66 years.
______________________________________________________________________________
This summer, Dodge honors the Charger legacy with a nationwide series of events, bringing the spirit of one of the most storied nameplates in automotive history directly to enthusiasts across the country.
The Dodge Charger 60th anniversary summer road trip heads first to America’s east coast, roars across the country for two West Coast stops, hits Metro Detroit for two of the biggest car-culture enthusiast events in the nation, and wraps up with a cruise to watch 12,000-horsepower professional drag racers at the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) National event stop in Michigan in 66 years:
From the original Dodge Charger debut on New Year’s Day 1966 to the current eighth-generation, heritage-inspired Charger lineup led by the gas engine SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and Charger R/T, Charger has stayed true its muscle-car performance roots. 60 years and counting, the Charger continues to roar on streets and tracks across America with muscle-car styling, engineering and performance.
“From its debut in 1966, Dodge Charger has stood as a symbol of bold design, unapologetic performance and unmistakable American attitude,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “As we mark 60 years, we’re bringing that legacy to life nationwide and connecting generations of enthusiasts. Today’s Charger continues as a modern muscle car led by the 550-horsepower Scat Pack with its gasoline-burning, twin-turbo, SIXPACK engine, proving performance remains at its core.”
The Charger 60th anniversary summer road trip heads first to America’s east coast, roars across the country for two West Coast stops, hits Metro Detroit for two of the biggest car-culture enthusiast events in the nation, and wraps up with a cruise to watch 12,000-horsepower professional drag racers at the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) National event stop in Michigan in 66 years:
- Carlisle Chrysler Nationals (July 10-12): One of the biggest Dodge car shows on the planet, drawing nearly 3,000 vehicles from the Stellantis family and tens of thousands of enthusiasts, Dodge will host a deep-dive walk-around on the new SIXPACK-powered Charger and also showcase the new Purple Haze color on the Charger, making its public debut at the Carlisle event. The Pennsylvania show is also hosting a special area honoring 60 years of the Charger on its show field.
- Route 66 Centennial Parade (July 12): Current and classic Dodge Charger models will lead the Petersen Automotive Museum’s escorted parade to the Santa Monica Pier, a celebration of 100 years of Route 66 and a living timeline of the American automobile. The parade will feature a fleet of vehicles representing key moments in automotive history, including additional Stellantis historical rides.
- All-American Cruise-In (July 26): Iconic versions from all eight generations of the Charger will be part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s All-American Cruise-In, a high-octane celebration of American automotive culture marking 250 years of America that includes a stop at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and a “fireside” chat with a Dodge representative.
- MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge (August 8): Back for its 11th year, the Roadkill Nights Dodge horsepower festival in Metro Detroit will feature the debut of the most powerful SIXPACK-powered Charger yet, a Dodge Charger 60th celebration as part of the event’s massive car show and competitors drag racing on iconic Woodward Avenue in current-era 550-horsepower SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack muscle cars.
- Woodward Cruise (August 15): Dodge will be back at the big cruise on Woodward Avenue in Metro Detroit, including with SIXPACK-powered Charger R/T and Scat Pack muscle cars on display, celebrating the nameplate’s 60th.
- Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals Presented by Mopar (September 18-20): Wrapping up the summer, Dodge and Mopar will serve as title and presenting sponsors of the first NHRA event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, highlighted by a pre-race cruise, including Charger vehicles, departing from Auburn Hills.
