HEMI® Takeover: Dodge Shocks Media with V8-Only 2026 Durango Lineup

HEMI® Takeover: Dodge Shocks Media with V8-Only 2026 Durango Lineup​

No More V6s—Every 2026 Dodge Durango Now Comes Standard with a HEMI V8​

Dodge dropped a bombshell today at Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge, and it wasn’t just the roaring burnout sessions or the debut of the 2026 Durango SRT HELLCAT Jailbreak. In a move no one saw coming, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear announced that every single 2026 Dodge Durango—GT, R/T, and SRT HELLCAT—will now come standard with a HEMI® V8 engine. That’s right. No more V6s. No more wondering, “Does that thing got a HEMI?” The answer is now a loud and proud yes.

HEMI® Takeover: Dodge Shocks Media with V8-Only 2026 Durango Lineup

Dodge surprises with the HEMI® takeover: every 2026 Durango comes with a V8 engine. Discover the bold announcement now!

moparinsiders.com

 

[TripleT]

Yeah, long trips require charges. That’s why I said that many people do not need to visit chargers when they have short commutes and charge at home overnight.

For some reason, I don’t think any amount of facts will sway your opinion, so I’m not going to debate a wall.

80% Charge times are down to 20min... adding a ICE engine to basically carry around a battery charger.

 

[TripleT]

@Ryan I think you get, and I know people hear don't want to understand it. But Dodge and STLA North America have painted themselves into a corner. AGAIN.

Read any forum, read any FB post from Dodge. It full of people INSISTING despite the actual sales reality, that the only solution is to stay static, or even move backwards. They have only one Marketing solution and that is the old marketing solution. The issue is they can't move forward. OEMs have already lost 13% of the market to a Tech startup that literally didn't know how to build cars.

EVs? NO, PHEV? NO, how about HYBRID? NO.... OK how about a more powerful and efficient straight 6? NO ... OK then what?. the Old Loud thirsty dirty and pretty fragile cast iron engine you been selling for 2 decades....... OK so then how do we compete with Toyota, Honda, KIA, Hyundai, Tesla, Ford, GM, VW, Rivian... and the inevitable entry by the Chinese? NO.Don't care, stay in your Lane.... Build a new version of the Old thing. Well the volume really doesn't justify it, we have done that with our corporate cousins and physics and material properties get in the way? Don't Care ... Ford and GM. OK well Ford and GM are able to sell old V8s because the sell mostly other things you say NO too? Don't Care ... Ford and GM .... Mustang and Corvette are not a volume vehicles, how are we to sustain a company? Don't Care ... Ford and GM
Ok but although we got a 4 year reprieve we are a Election cycle away from have NOTHING to Sell? Don't Care ... Ford and GM

The Marketing of Hemi as the solution to every problem has created a monster that has put the company is such bad position that NO other solution is viable, when it was NEVER ever even the volume cash flow solution in the first place. Nothing can make them happy, They get a new better powerplant and its not Loud enough, and is missing a plastic cover that says Hemi.

Think the company is doomed and I seen it in a bad places before, but the insistence it cannot move forward to Compete is a death blow.

 

[Ryan]

@Ryan I think you get, and I know people hear don't want to understand it. But Dodge and STLA North America have painted themselves into a corner. AGAIN.

Read any forum, read any FB post from Dodge. It full of people INSISTING despite the actual sales reality, that the only solution is to stay static, or even move backwards. They have only one Marketing solution and that is the old marketing solution. The issue is they can't move forward. OEMs have already lost 13% of the market to a Tech startup that literally didn't know how to build cars.

EVs? NO, PHEV? NO, how about HYBRID? NO.... OK how about a more powerful and efficient straight 6? NO ... OK then what?. the Old Loud thirsty dirty and pretty fragile cast iron engine you been selling for 2 decades....... OK so then how do we compete with Toyota, Honda, KIA, Hyundai, Tesla, Ford, GM, VW, Rivian... and the inevitable entry by the Chinese? NO.Don't care, stay in your Lane.... Build a new version of the Old thing. Well the volume really doesn't justify it, we have done that with our corporate cousins and physics and material properties get in the way? Don't Care ... Ford and GM. OK well Ford and GM are able to sell old V8s because the sell mostly other things you say NO too? Don't Care ... Ford and GM .... Mustang and Corvette are not a volume vehicles, how are we to sustain a company? Don't Care ... Ford and GM
Ok but although we got a 4 year reprieve we are a Election cycle away from have NOTHING to Sell? Don't Care ... Ford and GM

The Marketing of Hemi as the solution to every problem has created a monster that has put the company is such bad position that NO other solution is viable, when it was NEVER ever even the volume cash flow solution in the first place. Nothing can make them happy, They get a new better powerplant and its not Loud enough, and is missing a plastic cover that says Hemi.

Think the company is doomed and I seen it in a bad places before, but the insistence it cannot move forward to Compete is a death blow.

The marketing is catering to the group that doesn’t want to see any sort of modernization, and that will absolutely put them further and further behind the competition unless they distance themselves from that small (but vocal) group of people.

The whole “YEAH V8s!!!!!” shift is a fun short term solution to poor sales but they need to figure out how to position themselves long term, because gas guzzling, outdated powertrains are not it.

 

[WXman]

The marketing is catering to the group that doesn’t want to see any sort of modernization, and that will absolutely put them further and further behind the competition unless they distance themselves from that small (but vocal) group of people.

The whole “YEAH V8s!!!!!” shift is a fun short term solution to poor sales but they need to figure out how to position themselves long term, because gas guzzling, outdated powertrains are not it.

What if those "gas guzzling outdated" powertrains achieve better real world MPG, better driveability, better long term reliability for the customer, and better resale value? Does that justify allowing the consumer to have them?

There is not one person with a Hurricane powered Ram 1500 gloating about how great the fuel economy is. What I have seen, however, are complaints about new trucks being stuck in the service bay for repairs to water pumps and various other inferior parts/design.

The notion that CDJR is screwing themselves by stuffing V8s everywhere isn't new. We've heard it for at least 10 years now. And the entire time we were hearing it, stocks and profits and sales were climbing and pushing the company to never before seen heights.

They need to fast track the Gen IV Hemi engines, while at the same time work on fresh updates to Ram and Dodge and they will be OK. IF we get a new regulatory environment in 4 years all the OEs have to do is grow a backbone and stand up to them. We saw in 2009 that the government understands that they need the OEs. If the OEs stand up for their own profitability instead of allowing themselves to be bullied, the Fed will back down.

 

[Ryan]

What if those "gas guzzling outdated" powertrains achieve better real world MPG, better driveability, better long term reliability for the customer, and better resale value? Does that justify allowing the consumer to have them?

There is not one person with a Hurricane powered Ram 1500 gloating about how great the fuel economy is. What I have seen, however, are complaints about new trucks being stuck in the service bay for repairs to water pumps and various other inferior parts/design.

The notion that CDJR is screwing themselves by stuffing V8s everywhere isn't new. We've heard it for at least 10 years now. And the entire time we were hearing it, stocks and profits and sales were climbing and pushing the company to never before seen heights.

They need to fast track the Gen IV Hemi engines, while at the same time work on fresh updates to Ram and Dodge and they will be OK. IF we get a new regulatory environment in 4 years all the OEs have to do is grow a backbone and stand up to them. We saw in 2009 that the government understands that they need the OEs. If the OEs stand up for their own profitability instead of allowing themselves to be bullied, the Fed will back down.

At some point, your points will no longer be true. Other automakers are advancing with electrification + combustion engines that deliver more power and efficiency, and the logic that V8s are superior to all things will not hold true indefinitely. Stellantis needs to be researching and developing alternatives now.

 

[cygnus]

you literally just described visceral feel in your first paragraph. Not wanting silent operation is an enthusiast perspective, not one the mass market shares.

Silent operation, instant acceleration, never visiting a gas station for many people with short commutes who charge at home, better space efficiency/packaging potential, and decreased maintenance (no oil changes).

Enthusiast perspectives do not represent what the majority of customers want.

You’re aware that Dodge, Jeep, and Ram are primarily enthusiast brands - specifically, ICE enthusiasts.

Proof - the Charger EV and Wagoner S EV have totally and completely flopped, from a sales perspective.

 

[cygnus]

PHEV is a great compromise. But REV is the future. I maybe fill up once a month ... usually about 6 weeks. Still get the ICE growl when I punch them. Still not range anxiety. Dodge hanging there hats on the HEMI only crowd is a losing prop. Unless they are going to start sponsoring street take overs. People love those.
Remember when you raced for pinks. Now you just do donuts. The same thing D50 can do with bald tires.

I can get on board, eventually, with REEV. 20-30 years from now.

But there’s no conceivable universe where REEV isn’t insanely more expensive (without subsidies) vs V8 ICE.

Remember a couple years ago when people said per KwH battery costs were like Moore’s Law, in that price would decrease while energy density increased? Absolutely hasn’t happened outside of China, which has human rights abuses in their battery supply chain. China totally trashes their environment when sourcing, manufacturing, and disposing of batteries as well. I would never want to live in China.

 

[Ryan]

You’re aware that Dodge, Jeep, and Ram are primarily enthusiast brands - specifically, ICE enthusiasts.

Proof - the Charger EV and Wagoner S EV have totally and completely flopped, from a sales perspective.

Yes, limiting them to being primarily enthusiast brands sounds like a FANTASTIC recipe for long term survival.

 

[TripleT]

Yes, limiting them to being primarily enthusiast brands sounds like a FANTASTIC recipe for long term survival.

Absolutely think they are WAY bigger of a Market the they are....

 

[cygnus]

Yes, limiting them to being primarily enthusiast brands sounds like a FANTASTIC recipe for long term survival.

Have you ever looked at a Profit and Loss statement? Do you know how many Pentastar Challengers and Chargers you have to sell to equal the profit of a single Hellcat? Yes, there's room for multiple powertrains in a single platform, but enthusiasts generate the majority of profits for a vehicle.

I noticed you've gone when it comes to the BILLIONS in EV losses that have been incurred by Ford, GM, and STLA.

 

[Ryan]

Have you ever looked at a Profit and Loss statement? Do you know how many Pentastar Challengers and Chargers you have to sell to equal the profit of a single Hellcat? Yes, there's room for multiple powertrains in a single platform, but enthusiasts generate the majority of profits for a vehicle.

I noticed you've gone when it comes to the BILLIONS in EV losses that have been incurred by Ford, GM, and STLA.

Can you please provide that data, plus the sales numbers for the V6 cars vs the Hellcats so we can all be enlightened?

Sure, high profit margins for Hellcat. I’m sure you are right about that. What about for the 5.7 and 6.4 Hemi. Those were directly replaced by the Hurricane which is what is being criticized.

Let’s compare ALL of those to the V6 profit, with sales figures for each by year. For Charger, Challenger, and Durango, please.

I assume you can provide that since you are citing them.

 

[cygnus]

Anyone who has seen glimpses of those numbers can attest to it - you don't even specifically have to work @ Stellantis, but just working (generally) in automotive, on the business side. None of those numbers can be publicly published and you know that.

If you don't believe me, have Bob ask Stellantis media relations. My guess is that they'll share with you some very high level guidance, but it's completely off the record.

If you really want to know and you don't believe me - buy enough Stellantis shares and go to the shareholder meeting and demand an answer.

And again, let's circle back EVs - it is been widely reported, publicly, that BILLIONS have been lost on EVs. And yet you still continue to refuse to acknowledge that reality. You keep insisting on an inevitable EV future. Its not inevitable if elections keep going a certain way. I don't care that China builds terrible quality EVs for rock bottom prices. I don't want to live in China. I believe in a slow, gradual, decades long progression to REEV vehicles.

And yet I'm painted as having a political and extreme position? I don't know, I spend all day and night thinking about automotive - kinda looks like my position is the most rational and grounded in business/economic reality, and consumer preferences, if Stellantis vehicle sales are anything to go by. Again - go look up Wagoneer S and Charger EV sales for the 1st half of 2025.

 

[Ryan]

Anyone who has seen glimpses of those numbers can attest to it - you don't even specifically have to work @ Stellantis, but just working (generally) in automotive, on the business side. None of those numbers can be publicly published and you know that.

If you don't believe me, have Bob ask Stellantis media relations. My guess is that they'll share with you some very high level guidance, but it's completely off the record.

If you really want to know and you don't believe me - buy enough Stellantis shares and go to the shareholder meeting and demand an answer.

And again, let's circle back EVs - it is been widely reported, publicly, that BILLIONS have been lost on EVs. You still continue to refuse to acknowledge that reality.

Consider it acknowledged. Does not change that, with technology maturation, EVs will still provide a better experience for the majority of the public.

I’d like to circle back to the sales figures. So you are citing higher profit margins and more revenue generated from Hellcats than V6 models, despite not having access to the data? Is that correct? Can you point to a direct quote or bit of shareholder guidance where someone from Stellantis says that is the case?

 

[cygnus]

Consider it acknowledged. Does not change that, with technology maturation, EVs will still provide a better experience for the majority of the public.

I’d like to circle back to the sales figures. So you are citing higher profit margins and more revenue generated from Hellcats than V6 models, despite not having access to the data? Is that correct? Can you point to a direct quote or bit of shareholder guidance where someone from Stellantis says that is the case?

Don't take my word for it. Have Bob go talk to Stellantis Media Relations. And once again, you refuse to acknowledge the absolute failure that has been Stellantis electric vehicles.

 

[Ryan]

I'll answer that question when you acknowledge the absolute failure that has been Stellantis electric vehicles.

The current Charger Daytona and Wagoneer S have been absolute failures. They were improperly marketed and developed in a half ass way with way too many compromises to be consumable by most people, let alone compete with far less expensive EVs.

Your turn.

 

[cygnus]

I'll answer it with a thought exercise. AMD makes a number of Zen 5 chips for consumer PCs. Which of those chips do you think they make the majority of their profit on - the volume leaders for entry level PCs, or the X3D chips for gamers?

It's the same thing.

 

[cygnus]

Technically they make the most money on AI inference via the MI350 chips vs general compute Zen 5 (Nirvana) chips, but that is another story for another day.

The point is - the more specialized/unique, the higher the margin/profit.

 

[scatpack_69]

Yeah, long trips require charges. That’s why I said that many people do not need to visit chargers when they have short commutes and charge at home overnight.

For some reason, I don’t think any amount of facts will sway your opinion, so I’m not going to debate a wall.

Precisely what I expected. You’re crying at me, “waaah you’re not listening to my ‘facts’ so I’m not debating” and this is your tuck tail and run moment Ryan.

Reiterate these facts again, because I saw “mass market wants silence and instant acceleration”, neither of which you can remotely back up as facts. M
Meanwhile, you lean on changing technology which is absolutely a future pie in the sky hope where I can lean on a century of guys keeping their cars running in their garage. And on and on and on….

You are the prototypical pro-EV arguing with zero facts, but you think you have all the facts. It’s ALWAYS predictable.

 

[Ryan]

I'll answer it with a thought exercise. AMD makes a number of Zen 5 chips for consumer PCs. Which of those chips do you think they make the majority of their profit on - the volume leaders for entry level PCs, or the X3D chips for gamers?

It's the same thing.

No thought exercises. Provide substantive data, or a quote from a Stellantis representative backing up your claim that the company has made the majority of their profits from V8 Chargers, Challengers, and Durangos.

If you don’t have that data and are relying on guessing, that’s good for us all to know.

 

[Ryan]

Precisely what I expected. You’re crying at me, “waaah you’re not listening to my ‘facts’ so I’m not debating” and this is your tuck tail and run moment Ryan.

Reiterate these facts again, because I saw “mass market wants silence and instant acceleration”, neither of which you can remotely back up as facts. M
Meanwhile, you lean on changing technology which is absolutely a future pie in the sky hope where I can lean on a century of guys keeping their cars running in their garage. And on and on and on….

You are the prototypical pro-EV arguing with zero facts, but you think you have all the facts. It’s ALWAYS predictable.

34% of American car buyers in 2025 would seriously consider an EV, up 4% from last year.

45% are very likely, or somewhat likely, to purchase a hybrid vehicle.

Source

Something that consumers want is CHOICE. I am not in favor of phasing out all combustion vehicles, but there are very real situations where they make more sense than a gas model, and far more situations (all?) where a hybrid makes more sense than a strictly combustion vehicle.

While I can’t cite what the majority of people want in a car, enthusiast values don’t apply to the general public. Many car buyers don’t know the difference in a V6 or V8. They’re going to test drive an EV, hear how quiet it is, and feel the instant acceleration, and make their decision off of that.

Edit: US market share of EVs is still expanding, even if at a slower rate. Up 10% from 2023 to 2024.

Source