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The Road-Going V8 Detroit Pony Car Everyone Wants Is Actually Happening

The rumors of a next-gen HEMI-powered Charger Hellcat are holding true.

Close-up of a white car's rear with a black and silver SRT Hellcat emblem and red tail light.Dodge
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By Chris Chin

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Updated

It’s actually happening. That is, the production V8 Dodge Charger, or the model everyone’s been clamoring for.

The Detroit Free Press reports Stellantis is shoehorning the HEMI into the new Charger. And it’s not going to be a track-only special, like the Hustle Stuff Drag Pak from not too long ago.

The Hellcat is making a comeback

White Dodge Charger SRT with black wheels parked on a road at sunset.
If you were holding your breath for a new HEMI-powered Charger, you can breathe now.
Dodge

According to the report, Stellantis execs confirmed that Dodge’s SRT team is proceeding with a V8-powered road-going Charger. And it’ll arrive in the form of an all-new Hellcat.

A handful of journalists, one of whom was a member of the Detroit Free Press, apparently got a sneak peek at the model behind closed doors.

Just a short time ago, Stellantis held its annual investor and product strategy conference. There, the company shared its plans and went into considerable detail regarding some future models.

Red electric car drifting on a snowy road with snow spraying around it.
Dodge is delivering a V8-powered Charger as promised, and it’ll arrive as a new Hellcat.
Chris Chin

One prospect is a new Hellcat-ified Charger, and it’s the Auburn Hills muscle car everyone’s been waiting for.

In a short section, the Detroit Freep also confirmed the Hellcat will stick with tradition and punch out well “north of 700 horsepower.” It will happen thanks to the usual supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8.

Five Dodge Challenger muscle cars in blue, red, silver, gray, and red parked on a desert dirt road at sunset.
Have you been missing 707 HEMI-powered horses?
Dodge

The last Hellcat models produce around 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. So, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to expect more than that with the new model, as new models typically benefit from technical upgrades that yield more power.

Although there weren’t too many specifics, the report also describes more aggressive body work, including “an aggressive hood scoop and front end,” as well as a big rear wing reminiscent of the old Plymouth Superbird.

It’s about damn time

Blue sports car with black wheels and red stripes parked on a snowy road with snow-covered trees.
We didn’t doubt the HEMI could fit in a production Charger.
Chris Chin

Ever since Dodge launched the latest Charger, it has faced considerable criticism. The all-electric Charger led the model’s debut, and the internal combustion variant launched with (and still only offers) the brand’s latest Hurricane inline-six.

With no V8 in sight at the time, fans were ready to throw in the towel and march down to Auburn Hills with axes and torches, all in protest. But thankfully, rumors quelled the uproar. Now, Dodge is ready to deliver.

Blue Dodge Charger sedan driving on a snowy road with a forest background.
The Charger is getting the powertrain it finally deserves.
Chris Chin

Previous rumors began suggesting the V8 would return for the Charger. The HEMI made a grand comeback after being originally cancelled from prior executive leadership.

After the backlash from that move, Stellantis unseated former CEO Carlos Tavares, and appointed new leadership. This has resulted in a revived HEMI V8, which had fans wondering about the Charger.

Dodge lineup showing red Durango SUV and two red Charger sports cars with covered vehicles labeled GLH and another with SRT variant planned.
Confirmation came during Stellantis’ investor and product strategy meeting from a few weeks ago.
Stellantis

As of now, the V8 will only apparently drive the Charger Hellcat. Fans are still hoping there will be a less powerful version of the HEMI for more affordable Charger variants, such as the return of the standard SRT 392.

For the moment, there hasn’t been any word about the standard 5.7 or 6.2 coming back to the Charger.

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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