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Dodge Finally Built the V8-Powered Charger Everyone’s Been Asking For

Proof in the pudding that the new Charger and its STLA Large platform can house a HEMI.

Front view of a white, blue, and black race car with "Powered by SRT" decal on the windshield and smoke in the background.Dodge
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By Chris Chin

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Dodge finally did it. It finally threw a HEMI V8 under the hood of the new Charger. But not quite in the way you probably imagined.

Despite being a HEMI V8-powered eighth-generation Charger, sadly, you can’t drive this specific one on the road. That’s because this is Mopar’s latest factory-backed competition-spec dragster.

Say hello to the Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak Race Car. It comes courtesy of Mopar’s latest “Direct Connection” program, which allows customers to purchase factory-backed performance parts and even complete vehicles.

Although it’s not built for the road, this Charger is one of those vehicles. It’s proof of concept that the HEMI V8 does work under its hood.

Built for elevens

White, blue, and black Dodge Challenger drag racing car with red stripes and sponsor logos on a drag strip.
This new Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak is the closest thing to a modern HEMI V8-powered model thus far.
Dodge

As a purpose-built dragster, the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak comes loaded up the wazoo to meet NHRA qualifications.

That means SRT stripped this Charger of all of its amenities and luxuries to save weight. Engineers then reinforced the chassis in all sorts of ways to handle the massive 354-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) HEMI V8 crate motor up front.

Two black racing bucket seats with yellow Sabelt harnesses inside a race car cockpit featuring a roll cage and a racing steering wheel.
As a competition-spec car, the Charger Hustle Stuff is clearly stripped of all the unnecessary niceties to save weight.
Dodge

But obviously, this isn’t your typical 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Separating the standard mill from this dragster’s heart are high-performance H-beam connecting rods, Diamond Racing aluminum pistons, a forged-steel crankshaft with eight counterweights, a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger and Holley Dominator electronic fuel injection.

Car engine bay with a silver Dragpak supercharger, braided hoses, and carbon fiber air intake duct.
Seeing a HEMI V8 fit under the hood of the latest Charger is a thing of beauty.
Dodge

To support the extra power, a Coan Racing XLT three-speed automatic channels the power to the rear wheels. Engineers also reinforced the rear four-way multi-link suspension with adjustable parameters and anti-roll bars.

Those same suspension components also benefit from weight-saving upgrades, particularly with the upper control arms and subframe components. Just to name a few of the pro-grade modifications made.

Dodge didn’t specify power numbers. However, it does claim a quarter-mile run in around 7.6 seconds. Given that level of performance, output is likely no small amount.

Proof that the HEMI works in the new Charger

Red and black sports car drifting inside a large industrial warehouse with smoke trailing behind.
Despite not being favored by conventional muscle car enthusiasts, the new Charger EV is still a fast and fun car.
Dodge

This new Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak Race Car is obviously meant to tear up the dragstrip. But more so, it proves the HEMI V8 works in the latest Charger. Originally, Dodge had planned the latest model to be an all-electric gamechanger.

Blue and white drag racing car with red stripes and "dragpak" logo performing a burnout on a track.
The Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak supposedly slays the quarter-mile in less than eight seconds.
Dodge

Just a few years ago, automakers were all for going all-electric. The plan was to forge a path forward to a zero-tailpipe-emissions future where people didn’t have to depend on fossil fuels.

But if one thing’s most apparent about muscle car fans, it’s that they don’t care about zero-tailpipe emissions. And most of all, they don’t care about electrification.

Blue and white drag racing car with parachute deployed and smoke from burnout on a race track.
No competition-spec dragster is complete without “sticky Mickey” tires, or Mickey Thompson ET Drag Pro radials.
Dodge

Muscle cars are just as much about the sensations and sounds they provide as they are about performance. Taking the V8 away from a car like the Charger is like taking away the food experience from a Michelin Star restaurant.

So, as you can probably imagine, many pushed back against the all-electric Charger EV.

Blue, white, and black race car with a deployed drag parachute on a racetrack.
If a production HEMI V8-powered Charger happens, it probably won’t come with a parachute.
Dodge

There was so much pushback, that it eventually led to the resignation of then-acting CEO of Stellantis Carlos Tavares. Upon his resignation, Dodge repositioned its executive staff, reappointing former members, all who have since worked tirelessly to revive the HEMI V8.

Since the engine’s return, Stellantis reintroduced the block into the Dodge Durango and even the latest Ram 1500. As a result, muscle car fans have become increasingly vocal in their hopes for the HEMI’s placement in the new Charger.

White car door with red and white racing stripes and red "Hustle Stuff" text decal.
According to SRT, the latest Hustle Stuff Drag Pak is over 100 pounds lighter than the previous Challenger Drag Pak.
Dodge

When asked a while back if the new Charger would come with the HEMI, CEO Matt McAlear noted that “anything’s possible.” But he stopped short of confirming whether the V8 would work in Stellantis’ latest STLA Large platform that underpins the Charger.

McAlear also supposedly hinted that it’s a case of determining whether the engineering would work and whether the STLA Large platform could support the V8. But if there’s any major takeaway, this dragster proves it does and is the closest attempt yet.

Now, can we get an actual road-worthy HEMI-powered Charger please?

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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