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The American Muscle Car Everyone Wants Is Actually Happening, Insiders Say

Now that the HEMI is back, the Hellcat is supposedly next in line to rise back up from the dead.

Close-up of a red car's front grille with an SRT Hellcat logo and a modern LED headlight.Dodge
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By Chris Chin

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One of Dodge’s most memorable cars as of late is reportedly on deck to rise back up from the dead. Enthusiast site, MoparInsiders, reports that development for a new Charger Hellcat is underway.

The tip supposedly comes from anonymous sources inside the company. But so far, Dodge hasn’t officially confirmed the project.

However, given the HEMI’s recent rebirth, the return of the V8-powered Hellcat isn’t something that seems too far-fetched or unlikely. Especially for a top-spec halo car like the Charger.

The writing’s on the wall

Four modern muscle cars in orange, blue, gray, and dark blue parked on cracked asphalt near a river with a city skyline and bridge in the background.
Dodge has since expanded the Charger lineup to include electric and gas power, but no V8 yet.
Dodge

Although Dodge hasn’t officially confirmed the Hellcat’s return, circumstantial evidence and ambiguous hints from execs suggest otherwise. First, there’s the revival of the HEMI V8.

After its original cancellation under the supervision of former CEO, Carlos Tavares, that led to huge backlash among fans and even veteran company executives. Tavares stepped down and with some former Mopar execs returning to their positions, they worked to revive the HEMI.

Silver supercharged HEMI engine with "SRT" badge and black components surrounding it.
Fans are clamoring for the return of the HEMI V8 to Dodge’s signature muscle car.
Dodge

Additionally, the Mopar brands pride themselves for being very in-touch and connected to their customers wants and desires. With the Charger EV out and Stellantis making an internal combustion-powered Charger to align with its “multi-energy” strategy, fans are left wondering about the Hellcat’s return.

So far, Dodge only opted to offer the gas-powered Charger with the company’s latest 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged “Hurricane” inline-six. That, of course, leaves a gap for potential HEMI power, which fans are clamoring for.

Red Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat with black rims parked on a flat desert surface at sunset.
Sadly, Dodge says the HEMI could only return in the Hellcat, if it were to happen.
Dodge

Despite the limited internal combustion options, Dodge execs admitted they hear the outcry for the V8. And if they do bring the HEMI back to the Charger, they’re not going to limit its availability.

A Charger Hellcat is the only way to get a street-legal HEMI model

White Dodge Charger Hellcat with black hood and red brake calipers on a salt flat under dark cloudy sky.
The Hellcat Redeye remains one of the most memorable muscle cars as of late.
Dodge

In a recent interview with MotorTrend, reappointed CEO, Tim Kuniskis, admitted that the if Dodge were to revive the HEMI for its cars, it would only be possible in the Hellcat.

“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,” Kuniskis told MT in November of 2025. “If you were to put a V8 in the car you would probably go to Hellcat instead of 5.7.”

Silver Dodge Charger SRT driving on a rural road with yellow double lines and blurred trees in the background.
Dodge shocked the world with its 707-horsepower Charger Hellcat back in 2015.
Dodge

In a separate interview with Dodge chief Matt McAlear, he even reportedly countered Stellantis’ own spokespeople, who once told some journalists that the V8 wouldn’t fit in the new Charger’s platform. But McAlear stepped forward to correct the record by saying, “don’t be surprised if it would fit.”

Dodge even surprised the world by making a drag-spec racecar, complete with Mopar’s own HEMI V8 crate motor. Further proving the HEMI could fit in the latest Charger, contradicting previous Stellantis spokespeople.

White Dodge Charger SRT with black wheels parked on a road at sunset.
If a new Charger Hellcat is happening, it’s not going to be a quiet affair.
Dodge

What would be a bigger question is how much more powerful would the Hellcat be. The Charger Sixpack with its twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six already pushes out an impressive 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet in its top form.

Meanwhile, the all-electric Charger Daytona SCAT Pack churns out up to 640 hp and 627 lb-ft. The last Charger Hellcat produced 707 hp and 797 hp in its final Redeye form.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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