Dodge appears open to bringing V8 power back to the Charger lineup, but only under narrow and expensive conditions. According to company leadership, the economics of today’s performance car market leave little room for anything short of a top-tier Hellcat variant, effectively ruling out a return of the traditional 5.7-liter Hemi in the modern Charger.
The challenge, Dodge says, is not whether a V8 can physically fit in the current platform, but whether it makes financial sense. Engineering, certification, and production costs add up quickly, particularly for powertrains expected to sell in limited numbers. In that environment, a lower-output V8 aimed primarily at nostalgia does not offer enough return to justify the investment. Instead, Dodge views a high-output, high-price configuration as the only realistic option.
Adding another drivetrain also creates complications for dealers. With multiple body styles, trims, and powertrains already available, introducing an additional V8 would expand ordering complexity and inventory decisions. For a brand focused on balancing volume with profitability, that added complexity presents a real obstacle.
At the same time, Dodge has continued to hint that a V8 future is not entirely off the table. Over the past year, the automaker restarted production of several Hemi engines across its broader lineup. The 5.7-liter V8 returned to the Ram 1500, the 6.4-liter “392” V8 is being reintroduced in Jeep Wranglers and Dodge Durangos, and the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat remains available in the Durango and has reappeared in the Ram TRX.
The current Charger lineup relies on Stellantis’ twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six, offered in 420- and 550-horsepower versions. Those figures surpass the output of the previous 5.7-liter Hemi Charger, which produced 370 horsepower, and even exceed the mild-hybrid Hemi used in Ram trucks. From a performance standpoint, the Hurricane already outpaces the older V8s, reinforcing Stellantis’ heavy investment in the platform.
A Hellcat-powered Charger producing 777 horsepower would serve a different purpose. Rather than filling a gap, it would stand as a flagship statement model, using high output, limited volume, and premium pricing to make the numbers work. In Dodge’s view, that approach preserves the Hurricane as the backbone of the lineup while allowing space for a halo car at the very top.
Whether changing regulations or shifting market conditions reopen the door for broader V8 offerings remains uncertain. For now, Dodge’s message is clear: if the Charger gets a V8 again, it will be Hellcat or nothing.