V8 Dodge Charger to Return in 2026 Following Poor Response to Electric Vehicle: Report

      Another day brings another rumor about the Hemi. Following yesterday's report that Hemi production is set to resume later this year, MoparInsiders is now suggesting that the V8 could make its comeback in the Dodge Charger for the 2026 model year. This report lacks specific details regarding which Hemis might return, the timing, or pricing—nor does it cite a source. However, as we noted on Monday, there are strong indications pointing towards this possibility. Eventually, one must consider the likelihood of an actual development. But hold off on heading to your dealership just yet; you'll need to wait until the hurricane passes.

      To clarify, that refers to Hurricane (with a capital H). As highlighted by MoparInsiders, the new turbocharged six-cylinder engine intended to take over internal combustion engine duties at Stellantis remains relevant, and since the company is focused on increasing production of its Ram pickups, there’s no chance that Hurricane production will be paused to expedite the V8s. Ram requires trucks for immediate sales, and notably, there’s no overlap between the two engine production lines. The Hurricane I6 is manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico, where the tools for the older Hemi lineup were removed to accommodate the new engine.

      However, this means not to expect a Hemi-equipped Charger for the 2025 model year. Even if the production of the 5.7-liter, supercharged 6.2-liter, and 6.4-liter Apache V8 begins at the company’s Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan in August as expected, integrating a new powertrain is more complicated than merely fitting it into the vehicle. As Dodge CEO Matt McAlear reminded us in February, it’s more complex than just flipping a switch.

      “You can’t simply activate something that wasn’t previously there,” McAlear stated. “Even if we decided we wanted to do it today—select any engine, a V10, a four-cylinder—it involves a year-and-a-half to two-year development cycle, right?”

      In other words, be patient. Even if production starts by the year's end, there are other factors to consider. While the Charger may be the prime candidate for the Hemi's return, it’s not the only vehicle under the Stellantis brand that could benefit from a revived Hemi.

      The Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee are potential candidates, and a dealer leak we reported earlier in March indicated that we might see other specialty V8 models return—specifically, the Wrangler Rubicon 392. There’s even a chance we could see a 392-powered Gladiator before Jeep wraps up this generation. You may not be able to afford one, but it’s still exciting, right?

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