The latest Dodge Charger There was controversy because it only offered electric power at launch, and although a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine followed and received critical acclaim, there are still enthusiasts clamoring for V8 power.
Mopar Insider reports that their prayers are being answered, with sources telling the well-connected US media outlet that the Charger will once again offer V8 power, with development already underway.
Additionally, Dodge will reportedly forego the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V8 engines that were offered in the previous Charger sedan and Challenger coupe, instead offering only the supercharged 6.2-liter 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 kept the door open for the return of the V8 engine in the Charger, which will be offered as either a three-door hatchback coupe or a five-door liftback sedan. The Hellcat V8 will reportedly debut on the coupe for the 2028 model year.
When introduced in 2024, the new eighth generation (“LB”) was the first Charger since the controversial 1982-87 front-wheel-drive hatchback to not offer V8 power.
Its STLA Large backbone has always been designed to handle multiple powertrains, although parent company Stellantis, under former CEO Carlos Tavares, phased out V8 engines in all brands.
That included Ram, where the 1500 pickup lost its V8 engines as part of a mid-life refresh of the current DT series… only to come roaring back after Mr. Tavares’ departure and amid outcry from American buyers for the return of a bent eight-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8.
Although the Charger was always designed to support the Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, it is unlikely that it was originally designed to support the Hellcat V8. That means this powertrain will likely take longer to rework than the Ram 1500.
Meanwhile, the aging Durango SRT Hellcat, a large three-row SUV, will fly the V8 flag at Dodge.
Dodge hasn’t officially confirmed the return of the V8 engine in the Charger, but company executives seem to have been hinting at it for several months.
“The only way I can charge for (an optional Hemi) now is if I have to go up to a Hellcat,” Tim Kuniskis said Motor trend in January. The former Dodge CEO wears many hats and is currently CEO of Ram and the newly formed SRT performance division, as well as Stellantis’ head of American brands, among other roles.
“If you put a V8 in the car, you would probably go to the Hellcat instead of the 5.7.”
“Don’t be surprised if it fits,” Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said of the Hellcat V8 last August.
“That’s the beauty of this platform. Some might say we’re lucky, others might say we’re smart. We haven’t committed to one technology, one powertrain.”
“From the outset, a lot has been invested in this platform to enable it to evolve over time and adapt to consumer demand and changes in regulation (policy).”
There have been several changes in U.S. policy that have contributed to the V8’s resurgence, from eliminating federal tax incentives for electric vehicles to weakening emissions regulations.
Should the Hellcat return, Dodge engineers could try to squeeze even more power and torque out of the broken V8.
In the previous Charger SRT Hellcat it produced no less than 527 kW of power and 880 Nm of torque.
The petrol (Six Pack) and electric variants (Daytona) of the current Charger are available in different configurations.
The Hurricane Six produces either 313 kW or 635 Nm in the standard version or 410 kW and 720 Nm in the high-performance version. Only all-wheel drive is available.
The Charger’s twin-motor all-wheel drive delivers between 340 kW/548 Nm and 470 kW/850 Nm, depending on the variant.
All of these powertrains outperform the previous Charger’s 5.7-litre Hemi V8, which produced 280kW/536Nm, while some even outperform the old 6.4-litre Apache V8, which made 362kW/644Nm.
