Dodge’s new Charger Super Bee ups the inline-six’s output to 600bhp

While the all-electric Dodge Charger can make up to 670bhp with all the right buttons pressed, up until now the combustion-engined Sixpack has been limited to a maximum of 550 from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six. That’s about to change, because the Super Bee is back.

Yep, the winged insect graphics – first used on a Charger way back in ’71 – are making a comeback, and this time they’re bringing with them plenty of extra hardware. So, what you’re looking at here is a straight-six Charger with two 56mm Garrett turbochargers, extra cooling and a tweaked ECU for a total output of 600bhp and 531lb ft of torque. We’re told that results in a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds and an 11.8-seconds quarter mile. Still slower than the electric one, then.

This Super Bee isn’t just designed for the drag strip, though. “Straight-line speed still anchors the Dodge formula, but Super Bee widens the attack with a complete performance envelope built around acceleration, braking, cooling, track consistency, high-speed stability and driver confidence,” reads the press release.

To that end, this ‘Launch Edition’ also includes 16in Brembo brakes with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. Then there are 20in forged wheels, new dual-valve adaptive dampers and an aero package that includes a front splitter and rear wing. There’s also a completely redesigned front end that increases airflow by 30 per cent to the main stack and packs in two extra auxiliary radiators for extra cooling power. Nice. Should sound better too (although it’s still no V8) thanks to “revised turbocharger and exhaust tuning”.

On the inside there are new cloth seats and a sporty leather steering wheel with new, larger paddleshifters plus a button that switches the Super Bee straight into its rear-wheel drive only mode. We’re also promised a new Track Mode, and you’ve got features like Line Lock and Torque Reserve for faster getaways.

Like with all other new Chargers you’ll be able to have this Super Bee with either two or four doors, and pricing for the limited Launch Edition will be announced later this year.