Hemi V8-powered Charger all but confirmed

Dodge CEO Matt McAlear has provided the strongest hint yet that the rumours are correct: the new-generation Dodge Charger muscle car will follow the Ram 1500 in returning to Hemi V8 power.

Replacing both the previous V6- and V8-powered Challenger coupe and Charger sedan, the new Charger launched as an electric vehicle (EV) in North America in 2024, when Dodge said it would also become available with the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder ‘Hurricane’ petrol engine that now powers the facelifted MY25 Ram 1500 pickup.

Speaking at a recent preview event for the new petrol-powered Charger ‘Sixpack’, Mr McAlear made it clear there were more powertrains coming for the born-again Charger.

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“At this point, we’re here to talk about the Sixpack,” he said. “And I’m extremely excited for what the team has turned out.

“I mean, I think hopefully you all agree it sounds incredible. When you get behind the vehicle or inside the vehicle, it sounds even better. This is the next generation of performance, and these powertrains outperform the V8 they replace,” he said.

“But long-term, there’s more to come. We’re just getting started.”

Mr McAlear also contradicted the previous assertion by a Dodge representative who told Jalopnik in 2024 that the Hemi V8 could not physically fit in the new Charger’s engine bay.

“I’ll let you come up here and take a look and get your tape measure out,” he told journalists. “But don’t be surprised if it would fit.

“But, you know, that’s the beauty of this platform. Some could say we’re lucky, some can say we’re smart. We did not commit to one technology, one powertrain.

“A lot went into this platform from the beginning to be able to evolve over time and flex with consumer demand and changes in regulatory [policy].”

Dodge has not revealed any plans to drop the Daytona-badged Charger EV, but slowing sales forced the brand to fast-track the introduction of the straight-six powered Charger Sixpack.

It was originally due on sale in 2026 but will now arrive in US showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year, wearing a price tag that’s about US$10,000 lower than the EV’s.

The previous Charger and Challenger were offered with a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6, plus atmo 5.7-litre ‘Hemi’ and 6.4-litre ‘Apache’ V8s and the iconic ‘Hellcat’ supercharged 6.2-litre V8.

When Ram announced in June it would return V8 power to its 1500 pickup in the US, it confirmed the 5.7-litre Hemi would be a no-cost option on variants that come standard with the high-output version of the Hurricane six. In others, it’s a US$1200 option.

US media outlets are expecting an official announcement by the end of this year, before the Charger V8 goes on sale sooner rather than later in order to cash in on expected demand, given the popularity of the born-again Ram 1500 V8.

Mr McAlear made it clear a revived Hemi-powered Charger, which follows the relaxation of EPA emissions regulations and enforcement under US President Donald Trump, would not come at the expense of the electric powertrain.

“With the change in the administration, it’s no secret that we’re absolutely flexing into ICE [internal combustion engine] production right now,” he said.

“But we are not walking away from the power, the performance, and the excitement that battery electric can provide.”

The long-running Hemi V8 appeared destined for extinction under former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, but along with the resurrected SRT performance brand it is now expected to return not only entry-level 5.7-litre form but also in 6.4-litre ‘Apache’ and supercharged 6.2-litre ‘Hellcat’ guises.

Sadly, however, the new-generation Dodge Charger is unlikely to become available in Australia in either EV, straight-six or Hemi V8 forms – at least officially – because it’s not produced in right-hand drive.

It will, however, be sold in markets outside North America in both electric and petrol-powered guises, including Europe and the Middle East.