All-new SIXPACK Charger Scat Pack & Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak Debut at MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights
The SIXPACK-Powered Charger & HEMI-Powered Durango were unveiled at a press event the day before the show on Aug. 8…
Dodge lit up downtown Pontiac, Michigan, on Aug. 9, with tens of thousands of horsepower fanatics turning out to see new SIXPACK- and HEMI-powered additions to the Dodge brand lineup and to celebrate a milestone 10 years of MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge, event organizers stated in a press release.
On Aug. 8, the day before the Roadkill Nights event, Dodge held a press preview for the debut of the all-new 550-horsepower SIXPACK-powered 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack. Dodge CEO Matt McAlear announced that it was the most powerful car under $55,000, and the Charger R/T model will be available to order before the end of the year with a 420-horsepower SIXPACK starting at an MSRP of $49,995.
McAlear also revealed the HEMI-powered 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, which unlocks more than six million potential customization combinations. In addition, Dodge announced that for the first time, every Dodge Durango, from the entry GT model to the 710-horsepower SRT Hellcat, will come standard with a HEMI V-8 engine.
Also for the first time, attendees were able to take a Dodge Thrill Ride in the new SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack, which is now available for order.
“MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge is marking a decade for one reason—the fans and Dodge enthusiasts who’ve supported us since the beginning,” said McAlear. “Seeing the smiles and pure excitement from our fans after taking thrill rides in the Dodge Charger Scat Packs and Durango SRT Hellcats keeps us pushing to deliver affordable performance and grow this incredible brand.”
“For the past 10 years, MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge has been the ultimate celebration of car culture, and our 10th anniversary was nothing short of legendary,” said Eric Schwab, MotorTrend Group’s group SVP, head of revenue, operations and partnerships. “From the debut of the ICE-powered Dodge Charger and Morgan Evans’ repeat win in the Direct Connection Grudge Race to world-class racing on Woodward Avenue, nitro burnouts by Leah Pruett and Matt Hagan, and fan-favorite stunts, this milestone year proved once again why Roadkill Nights is the premier festival for horsepower, performance and community. Our amazing partnership with Dodge helps make it all possible. After 10 years, we’re already looking forward to the next decade of pushing the limits together.”
Racing Action at MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge
On Saturday, Dodge once again transformed Woodward Avenue into a street-legal drag strip, headlined by the Direct Connection Grudge Race. For the fifth consecutive year, online automotive builders put their skills to the test, crafting high-performance race cars powered by Direct Connection—Dodge’s official performance parts brand. Morgan Evans took the crown for the second consecutive year in her Direct Connection HurriCrate-engine-powered 1987 Dodge D150 truck, outrunning the Hooligan Brothers’ 1991 Fox Body Mustang to the finish.
“This is definitely a first, to win my own trophy back,” said Evans, who became the second female racer to claim back-to-back Direct Connection Grudge Race titles, following 2021-22 champ Alex Taylor. Evans also helped design the Grudge Race trophy. “Let’s do it again (next year).”
The Woodward strip was busy on Saturday, with more than 125 competitors in classes, including Big Tire (over 275mm width) and Small Tire (275mm width and under), fighting for the big prize of $5,000 per class winner. Jimmer Kline claimed the Big Tire prize, while Jeffery Kalo triumphed in the Small Tire class. The quickest Dodge cars in each class also earned $5,000 each, with Peter Bokedon and Antonio D’ Angelo taking top honors.
Legendary NHRA Racers, Ram NASCAR Concept & Dodge Badassadors
Dodge NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Stewart and his wife and fellow NHRA star Leah Pruett, joined Tony Stewart Racing driver and four-time NHRA champion Matt Hagan and NHRA racer Ida Zetterstrom for a fan autograph session, while Pruett and Hagan treated attendees to a rare sight—12,000-horsepower NHRA nitro drag cars performing burnouts on Woodward.
Ram brand also joined in with the Ram 1500 NASCAR concept, Raminator Monster Truck and Bucking HEMI Experience. Dodge Badassadors also made their debut at Roadkill Nights, sharing their passion for all things Dodge.
The Most-Watched MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge
Event organizers claim that this was the most-viewed Roadkill Nights ever. Including those viewing online, 70,000 fans turned out and tuned in to watch the 10th edition of MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge. A Livestream replay of Roadkill Nights is available at YouTube.com/MotorTrend and DodgeGarage.com. Over the past 10 years, Roadkill Nights has raised nearly $50,000 for United Way of Southeastern Michigan.
The Dodge Durango GT Gets a HEMI
A few days before the MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge event, Dodge announced that the 2026 Dodge Durango GT will feature the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, delivering 65 more horsepower than the previous V-6-powered model. Starting at $42,495, the company claims the Durango GT becomes the most affordable AWD V-8 vehicle in the industry. Additionally, the Dodge Durango R/T will be available with the 392 HEMI V-8, delivering 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, a 115-horsepower increase over the previous 5.7-liter HEMI-powered R/T. Dodge says that the Durango R/T will deliver the most horsepower available in the industry for under $50,000.
The 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack
According to another press release from Stellantis before the Roadkill Nights show, the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, powered by the turbocharged SIXPACK high-output (H.O.) engine, clocks a 3.9-second 0-60 time and runs the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph.
Well-known in the 1970s, the Dodge “SIXPACK” badge referred to three two-barrel carburetors for a total of six barrels. Today, the 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack revives that SIXPACK with a straight six-cylinder layout. Dodge is launching the award-winning 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo Straight Six as the SIXPACK. In the new Dodge Charger lineup, the SIXPACK will be available in both high-output and standard-output variants:
- The Charger Scat Pack with the SIXPACK H.O. engine delivers 550 horsepower, 531 lb-ft torque and a top speed of 177 mph, with an MSRP of $54,995.
- The Charger R/T with the SIXPACK standard-output (S.O.) engine delivers 420 horsepower, 468 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 168 mph, with an MSRP of $49,995.
The SIXPACK H.O. engine delivers 88% of peak torque at 2,500 rpm for immediate low-end response and more than 90% of peak torque from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm for sustained performance. Line Lock, standard on SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack, enables tire-smoking burnouts with the push of a button and punch of the throttle.
SIXPACK-powered Charger models feature standard all-wheel drive when you need it and rear-wheel drive when you want it. Its class-exclusive rear-wheel-drive mode sends 100% of torque to the rear wheels, delivering effortless drifts, smoky donut spins and pure driving exhilaration on demand, noted the release.
Launch Control improves off-the-line acceleration and allows drivers to dial in preferred launch rpm to generate the highest possible boost pressure on launch, depending on the traction of the launch surface. The SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack also has distinctive performance-tuned dual-mode active exhaust with rolled exhaust tips. Five distinct drive modes include Auto, Eco, Wet/Snow, Sport and Custom.
The exterior design features a unique performance hood, a large front fascia area and rear fascia with debossed “CHARGER” text logo. SIXPACK Charger models also share the widest body of any car in the industry, with interior linework and texture inspired by the 1968 Dodge Charger.
Both the SIXPACK-powered Charger Scat Pack and R/T will be available as two-door coupes and as four-door sedans. An all-electric two-door 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack will also be available at a starting MSRP of $59,995, delivering the most horsepower under $60,000.
