Dodge CEO Hints at Hemi V8 Return for the New Charger

Date:2025-08-11 01:27:46 Category:Car Views:4 Comment:0

Dodge CEO Hints at Hemi V8 Return for the New Charger originally appeared on Autoblog.

No Hemi at Roadkill Nights—For Now

A few days ago, there was reason to believe Dodge might finally announce the return of the Hemi V8 in the new Charger Daytona during Roadkill Nights. The speculation came after the brand teased an announcement, leading some to expect a big reveal for fans of the classic muscle car power plant.

Instead, Dodge's presentation focused on pricing for the new Charger Sixpack and confirming that the Durango will go all-V8 for the 2026 model year. For those anticipating an eight-pot comeback in the Charger, the absence of any mention of a Hemi V8 might have seemed like the end of the conversation.

However, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear has all but confirmed that the Hemi is still very much in the picture.

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The Hemi V8 Will Fit, Contrary to Previous Claims

In a media roundtable, McAlear was asked directly whether the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 could fit under the hood of the new Charger sedan and coupe, Motor1 reports.

“Don't be surprised if it would fit,” McAlear said, a stark contrast to earlier statements from Dodge representatives, who told Jalopnik in 2024 that the platform simply couldn't accommodate the engine without significant redesign work.

McAlear explained that the Charger's modular STLA Large platform was designed from the start to support multiple powertrains, ranging from all-electric to high-performance V8s, and even left the door open for a plug-in hybrid. He added that this flexibility allows Dodge to adjust to shifts in consumer demand and regulatory conditions.

Given that the Hellcat is larger than the naturally aspirated 5.7-liter Hemi, his comment suggests both engines could find their way into the lineup.

What's Next for the Charger Lineup

The Charger Daytona EV, despite strong performance figures and distinctive features like its synthetic Fratzonic propulsion sound, has struggled in the marketplace. Dodge sold just 4,299 Daytona coupes in the first half of 2024, compared to over 20,000 Challenger coupes during the same period.

Price cuts began shortly after launch and have continued, and while a four-door Daytona is expected before the end of the year, it is unlikely to outsell the incoming gas-powered models.

One of those is the Charger Sixpack, powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six making up to 550 horsepower. It will arrive in showrooms during the first half of 2026, starting at $51,990 (includes destination), or about $10,000 less than the EV.

Dodge also continues to develop the tri-motor SRT Banshee, which promises more than 900 hp and could challenge the quickest electric sedans on the market. However, given strong demand for Hemi-powered Ram trucks, a V8 Charger announcement is likely before the end of the year, with pricing expected to carry only a modest premium over existing models.