Could the legend be getting its roar back?
Rumors are picking up speed: Dodge might bring the Hemi V8 back to the Charger by late 2026. According to Mopar Insiders, Stellantis engineers are working to make that happen — squeezing the iconic engine into the newly redesigned Charger. Fans of classic muscle are excited, but reviving the V8 isn’t as simple as dusting it off and dropping it in.
EV Chargers Struggling to Spark Sales
The new all-electric Charger Daytona hasn’t exactly taken the market by storm. Reports suggest dealers are slashing prices — by as much as $21,000 — just to get them moving off the lot, according to CarScoops. A return to a good old gas-powered V8 could breathe new life into the lineup. Still, nothing’s set in stone, and any official confirmation is probably a ways off.
More Than One Engine Option
Dodge has said the next-gen Charger will offer a mix of powertrains. The 2024 Charger Daytona debuted as an EV, and the gas-powered Charger Sixpack — powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six — is set to hit production in May.
Dodge hasn’t released exact specs yet, but here’s a quick comparison:
The previous 5.7-liter Hemi V8 had 372 horsepower
The 6.4-liter version pushed out 485 hp
The Hurricane inline-six? Expected to offer between 420 and 550 hp, depending on the trim
So if performance is already covered, why bring back the Hemi?
Why the Hemi Still Matters
Simple: loyalty. Not everyone’s ready to give up on V8s or go all-in on electrification. Bringing back the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V8s could keep longtime fans happy. There’s even talk of a supercharged 6.2-liter version — yes, possibly a new Hellcat.
Engineering Roadblocks Ahead
Dropping a Hemi into the new Charger won’t be plug-and-play. Stellantis engineers have said it would take serious modifications — think changes to the cradle, the firewall, and other parts of the platform. That kind of redesign isn’t cheap and might clash with Stellantis’ broader electrification goals, especially in a time of shifting regulations and tariffs.
But here’s the kicker: Stellantis is reportedly restarting Hemi production, with assembly moving to Dundee, Michigan later this year. That’s not just nostalgia — it looks like something real might be in the works.
A Flagship, Not a Bestseller
If the Hemi-powered Charger comes back, don’t expect it to be a mass-market model. More likely, it’ll be a top-tier performance trim — a halo car to show Dodge still knows how to flex some muscle. The EV Daytona and Sixpack are still expected to carry the bulk of sales. But a V8 comeback? That would send a clear message: Dodge hasn’t forgotten its roots.
Bottom Line
Right now, it’s still all speculation. Dodge has stayed quiet, sticking to its “multi-energy” strategy. For die-hard fans, it’ll be a long wait until 2026 to see if the V8 Charger actually makes it back — or if it stays a dream parked in the rumor garage.
