The absence of a Hemi V8 in the new Dodge Charger is a bitter pill to swallow, no matter how good the 550-horsepower six-cylinder version is. One of the last true muscle cars has shed a big part of its character in its transition to a six-cylinder model—and let’s not even mention the electric version. But rumors of a V8 comeback for the new Charger have circulated for a good few months now, and while nothing has been confirmed by Dodge, we now know what form the V8 will take if it ever returns. Essentially, the naturally aspirated Hemi V8 has no chance, but the supercharged version from the older Hellcat may live again. Here’s why.
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Standard Hemi Now Outclassed
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Tim Kuniskis, the head of American brands and North America marketing and retail strategy for Stellantis, has explained why the standard 5.7-liter Hemi V8 won’t make it back into the Charger.
“The only way it makes sense to charge for [an optional Hemi] now is I have to go all the way up to a Hellcat,” said Kuniskis at the Detroit Auto Show when speaking to MotorTrend.
Ultimately, the 5.7L V8’s outputs simply aren’t competitive with the new Hurricane, the turbocharged six-cylinder mill found in several Stellantis products. As a reminder, this V8 made up to 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque in the Challenger. By comparison, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane six-cylinder in the new Charger already makes 420 hp in standard form, and up to 550 hp/531 lb-ft in the SixPack models.
“The reality is when you get into that rare air, the take rate is pretty small,” continued Kuniskis, saying that most buyers will prefer the better mix of power and efficiency in the Hurricane-equipped models.
The 6.2L supercharged Hemi Hellcat mill is another story, though. With up to 807 hp and 707 lb-ft in the older Challenger, this incredible engine could still theoretically work as a halo Charger. But Kuniskis refused to say there were any concrete plans in place to make this happen.
Related: The HEMI-Powered Dodge Charger Lives—But There's a Catch
Mustang V8 Has No Direct Rival… For Now
Ford
In the American muscle car segment, the Ford Mustang stands alone as the only V8 option. And there are many of them now, from the 480-hp GT to the new Dark Horse SC, which is expected to make well over 700 hp when it arrives.
Last year, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said we shouldn’t be surprised if a V8 Charger returns. This aligns with Dodge—and by extension, Stellantis—once again embracing larger-capacity powertrains.
“It’s no secret that we’re absolutely flexing into ICE production right now,” said McAlear last year. Let’s hope that flex extends to a return of the epic Hellcat V8 at some point in the near future. If that happens, even the hottest Mustang will have to watch its back.
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