Dodge CEO Suggests Possible Comeback of V8 Charger—But Not at This Time

      If you’ve been hoping for the return of V8-powered performance vehicles from Dodge, the exit of the famously anti-V8 Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares might have given you some hope. Well, it seems we may have even better news.

      Recently, The Drive had a chance to speak with Dodge CEO Matt McAlear, and we directly inquired about the future of internal combustion performance. The situation is complex, but McAlear assured us that gasoline remains an integral part of Dodge, and as long as legal restrictions allow, the brand will keep developing high-performance internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrains.

      First things first, let’s address the obvious issue: Although the Hemi may be phasing out, it hasn’t completely vanished. Dodge continues to produce Hemi-powered Durango R/T, SRT, and Hellcat variants for the 2025 model year. How long can we expect this to persist?

      “We haven’t shared that information,” McAlear replied, “but one encouraging aspect is that with the new leadership, V8s are no longer considered taboo within the company. However, compliance is still crucial.”

      Compliance might seem like an undesirable term in today’s political climate. Nevertheless, even with the current administration aiming to roll back climate policies from previous administrations, manufacturers plan timelines that extend beyond four years.

      “We must still find ways to ensure our engines meet compliance standards,” McAlear stated. “And just because there’s an administration change, that’s only a four-year timeframe, right? So it’s important to approach this cautiously and maintain a balance across our entire portfolio for the long haul.”

      But why no immediate plans for more V8s? The answer isn't straightforward. Dodge found this out the hard way when faced with the challenge of reversing the decision to cancel the V8 Durango at the last minute.

      “It’s always more complicated than it sounds,” McAlear explained. “There are thousands of suppliers involved, and emissions regulations require consistent updates to the engines, typically on an annual basis. Any time there’s an emissions update, it’s just more investment needed.”

      “You certainly don’t want to spend that money unnecessarily,” he added, discussing the difficult equilibrium manufacturers must maintain between planning for the future and avoiding inefficiencies from working too far ahead.

      “That’s the reality of this industry,” he continued. “You can devise the best plans imaginable and outline them thoroughly, saying this is our strategy for two, three, four, or five years down the line, but things will inevitably change.”

      With a timeline that is continually evolving, Dodge’s reluctance to broaden its ICE offerings becomes clearer. By the time a new engine is developed, the regulatory landscape might have shifted significantly.

      “You can’t just activate something that hasn’t been developed yet,” McAlear went on. “Even if we decided today to pursue it, whether it’s a V10 or a four-cylinder, it takes around a year and a half to two years for development, right?”

      But if Dodge has the Hemi available, why not simply use it in the new 2024 Dodge Charger? We believe it could work, and we expressed that to McAlear. His response was, “Oh yeah?”

      That didn’t exactly answer our question, but he wasn’t completely evasive either.

      “We’re constantly exploring ways to achieve best-in-class performance, enhance our offerings, and push boundaries,” he explained. “Dodge doesn’t intend to remain stagnant, and new powertrain options will continue to emerge. We haven't even launched the SRT version yet, so there's more to come.”

      “Looking back at the last generation, we’ve transitioned through various engines across the Charger, Challenger, and Magnum,” McAlear noted. “We began with a 3.5L V6, followed by the 6.1L V8, 3.6L V6, 5.7L, 6.4L, 6.2L, 6.2L Demon, 6.2L Redeye, and 6.2L Demon 170. Just how many different powertrains, both RWD and AWD, have we offered?”

      “This platform supports a variety of energy options,” he continued. “This is just the inaugural year, and we have four powertrains that surpass their predecessors, all equipped with standard AWD. We’re just beginning, and there’s a lot of exciting development ahead.”

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