Return of Hellcat Charger gathers momentum

AS PART of a financial redemption plan, Stellantis Group brand Dodge looks a chance to resurrect its popular Charger Hellcat V8 high performance sedan in the US with development of the “new” muscle-car reputedly already underway.

It follows slow sales of Dodge’s fully electric Charger EV and a market reception below expectations to turbocharged six-cylinder versions of the model.

Publication Moparinsiders.com quotes its (Dodge) factory sources as suggesting the iconic American brand may be preparing to reintroduce a supercharged Hellcat V8 to the next-generation Charger, although the program has yet to be publicly confirmed.

The publication’s sources claim development has been approved for a Hellcat-powered version of the eighth-generation Dodge Charger (LB), potentially arriving as part of the model’s first mid-cycle update scheduled for the 2028 model year.

If realised, the move would mark a dramatic return for the high-output “blown” HEMI V8 in Dodge’s muscle car line-up following the brand’s recent shift toward electrified and turbocharged powertrains.

While the development program remains unofficial, the reports align with growing demand from enthusiasts for the return of V8 power to the Charger range says Moparinsiders.

“Dodge’s current performance strategy centres on the electric Charger Daytona and upcoming Sixpack models powered by Stellantis’ twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre Hurricane in-line six-cylinder engine,” it said.

“Despite offering strong performance figures, the transition has left some buyers calling for the return of the supercharged HEMI engines that defined Dodge’s modern muscle car era.”

Comments from senior Dodge executives have also hinted that a V8 comeback may not be off the table.

Speaking with MotorTrend at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram brand and head of SRT and North American marketing for Stellantis, suggested that if Dodge were to reintroduce a V8 option, it would likely be the range-topping Hellcat rather than a lower-output HEMI variant.

“The only way it makes sense to charge for it now is to go all the way up to a Hellcat,” he said.

“The reasoning reflects the changing performance landscape, with the new twin-turbo Hurricane six already producing more power than the traditional 5.7-litre and 6.4-litre HEMI V8 engines.”

In that context, re-engineering the platform for a V8 would only make commercial sense if it delivered a clear performance advantage says Moparinsiders.

Dodge CEO Matt McAlear has also hinted the idea may be technically feasible.

Earlier comments from Stellantis representatives suggested the new Charger architecture could not physically accommodate the Hellcat engine, but Mr McAlear later responded with a more open-ended statement.

“Don’t be surprised if it would fit,” he said.

While stopping short of confirmation, the remark has added to speculation that the STLA Large platform underpinning the new Charger could potentially support the supercharged V8 with additional engineering work.

According to further Dodge insider reports, the Hellcat-powered Charger is targeting the 2028 model year – a timeline that coincides with the model’s first mid-cycle refresh.

Such updates typically bring styling revisions, technology upgrades and mechanical changes, making it a logical point to introduce a halo performance variant.

The additional development time would also allow engineers to address packaging, cooling, emissions compliance and durability requirements associated with integrating the supercharged HEMI into the platform.

Moparinsiders says a return of Hellcat power would also align with Stellantis’ strategy of leveraging high-performance halo vehicles to generate strong margins and brand attention.

“The recently announced Ram 1500 SRT TRX revival demonstrates the continued appetite for extreme-performance models, despite rising prices,” it added.

“The latest TRX, powered by an updated Hellcat V8, is expected to start from around US$99,995 before on-road costs (about $A141,000) – significantly higher than its 2021 debut price – yet demand for such vehicles remains strong.”

A Charger SRT Hellcat positioned above the Sixpack models would follow a similar formula: limited volumes, premium pricing and maximum brand impact.

In hard numbers, a revived Hellcat Charger may deliver more than 700 horsepower (521kW) with some speculation pointing to the 777hp (579kW) output seen in previous high-performance variants.

Reports also suggest the performance flagship may initially launch as a two-door coupe before a four-door version follows later.

Dodge has not officially confirmed a Hellcat-powered Charger so until an announcement is made, the project remains speculative.