The latest Dodge Charger courted controversy in offering only electric power at launch, and though a twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine and critical acclaim has followed, there are still enthusiasts clamouring for V8 power.
Mopar Insiders reports their prayers are being answered, with sources telling the well-connected US media outlet the Charger will once again offer V8 power, with development underway.
Not only that, but Dodge will reportedly skip the 5.7-litre and 6.4-litre V8s offered in the previous Charger sedan and Challenger coupe, and instead offer only the supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8.
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This engine was offered in the previous Challenger coupe and Charger sedan, as well as the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and Ram 1500 TRX. Only the latter two were sold in Australia.
Company executives have been keeping the door open for the return of V8 power to the Charger, which is offered as either a three-door hatchback coupe or a five-door liftback sedan. The Hellcat V8 will reportedly be released first in the coupe for model year 2028.
When it was launched in 2024, the new eighth (‘LB’) generation was the first Charger since the controversial 1982-87 front-wheel drive hatchback to not offer V8 power.
Its STLA Large underpinnings were always designed to handle multiple powertrain types, though under former CEO Carlos Tavares, parent company Stellantis was phasing out V8s across its menagerie of brands.
That included Ram, where the 1500 pickup lost its V8 engines as part of a mid-life refresh for the current DT series… only for the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 to come roaring back after Mr Tavares’ departure and amid an outcry from American buyers for the return of a bent eight.
Therefore, while the Charger was always designed to handle the Hurricane twin-turbo inline six, it’s unlikely it was originally designed to support the Hellcat V8. That means the work to re-engineer it for this powertrain is likely to take longer than it did for the Ram 1500.
The ageing Durango SRT Hellcat, a large three-row SUV, is left to fly the V8 flag at Dodge in the meantime.
Dodge has yet to officially confirm the return of V8 power to the Charger, but company executives appear to have been hinting at it for several months.
“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,” Tim Kuniskis told Motor Trend in January. The former Dodge CEO wears many hats, and is currently CEO of Ram and the re-established SRT performance division, as well as Stellantis’ head of American brands among other titles.
“If you were to put a V8 in the car you would probably go to Hellcat instead of 5.7.”
“Don’t be surprised if it would fit,” said Dodge CEO Matt McAlear about the Hellcat V8 last August.
“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].”
There have been various changes in US policy that have helped fuel the resurgence of the V8, from the removal of federal electric vehicle (EV) tax incentives to the weakening of emissions regulations.
Should the Hellcat return, it’s possible Dodge engineers may try to eke even more power and torque out of the blown V8.
In the previous Charger SRT Hellcat, it pumped out no less than 527kW of power and 880Nm of torque.
The current Charger’s petrol (Sixpack) and electric (Daytona) variants are available in different tunes.
The Hurricane six produces either 313kW or 635Nm in standard-output tune or 410kW and 720Nm in high-output guise. Only all-wheel drive is available.
The Charger’s dual-motor all-wheel drive electric powertrain produces between 340kW/548Nm and 470kW/850Nm, depending on the variant.
All of these powertrains out-punch the previous Charger’s 280kW/536Nm 5.7-litre Hemi V8, while some even best the old 6.4-litre Apache V8 which produced 362kW/644Nm.