Dodge Charger Sixpack Won’t Get a Manual, but Will Have a Brand New Transmission

Enthusiasts are being dealt another blow with the lack of a manual in the Dodge Charger Sixpack, but it is getting a brand new automatic.

Previously expected to launch in late 2025, Stellantis is now fast-tracking the Dodge Charger Sixpack models powered by the twin turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six powerplant due to consumer demand. While we’re still awaiting the arrival of the all-electric Charger Daytona – which was slated to launch in late 2024 – the Dodge Charger Sixpack is now expected to join it five months sooner, meaning that we should see them in showrooms by next summer. Now, we’re learning even more about the all-new ICE Charger, at least, as it pertains to the transmission options it will offer.

The bad news, according to Mopar Insiders, is that the Dodge Charger Sixpack won’t be available with a manual transmission of any kind, which is a disappointing but perhaps unsurprising revelation given how rare those types of gearboxes have become in recent years. However, the new muscle cars also won’t be equipped with a carryover automatic transmission either, but rather, the brand new 880RE eight-speed automatic, which is based on the fourth-generation ZF design, built by Stellantis at the Kokomo Transmission Plant, and designed for use in rear-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, and four-wheel-drive applications.

The new 880RE will be present in both Standard-Output (S/O) and High-Output (H/O) versions of the Dodge Charger Sixpack, and has a torque rating of 600 pound-feet. It can be mated to a variety of powertrains as well, not just pure ICE – but rather, mild hybrids, regular hybrids, and plug-in hybrids, so it’s a pretty flexible unit that could easily wind up in a variety of Stellantis products moving forward.

That flexibility also makes the 880RE a suitable fit for the Dodge Charger Sixpack lineup, too. In standard output form, the Hurricane generates 420 horsepower, while the high-output makes 550 horsepower – torque figures haven’t been revealed just yet, but they’re expected to come in at around 470 and 550 pound-feet, respectively, driving all four wheels as standard. If Stellantis eventually decides to add a hybrid option of some sort or even a cheaper rear-wheel-drive Charger Sixpack to the mix, the 880RE is already future proof in that regard, too.

Regardless, there’s no doubt that many enthusiasts will lament the lack of a manual transmission option, which comes as a bit of a double blow following Stellantis’ decision to essentially kill off its V8 engines in general. The Hurricane is undoubtedly a capable powerplant that will likely yield far more power with modifications, but for some, there’s just no replacement for the sound and feel of the good old-fashioned Hemi V8.

Photos: Dodge

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.