Dodge’s transition to electrification and turbocharged I6 powerplants has left many enthusiasts wondering if a V8 will ever return to the Charger lineup. While Dodge CEO Matt McAlear didn’t outright confirm anything, he also didn’t rule it out. His recent interview with The Drive hinted that the possibility remains—but if a V8 were to make a comeback, it would take time.
A Platform Built for Possibilities –
McAlear emphasized the flexibility of Dodge’s new multi-energy platform, which currently supports both fully electric and twin-turbocharged 3.0L HURRICANE I6-powered Charger models. He noted that previous generations of Dodge muscle cars saw a variety of powertrains, suggesting that future variants could bring even more options.
“If you look back across the last generation, you go through the engines between the Charger and the Challenger and the Magnum,” McAlear said. “We started out with a 3.5L V6, 6.1L V8, then a 3.6L V6, 5.7L V8, 6.4L, 6.2L, 6.2L Demon, 6.2L Redeye, 6.2L Demon 170. Do you know how many different powertrains, RWD and AWD, we had on those engines? This is a multi-energy platform that can accommodate all of that. This is just the first year, and you’ve got four powertrains that outperform every one that they’re replacing, with standard AWD? We’re just getting started. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
No Official Plans, But No Hard “No” Either –
McAlear’s remarks suggest that Dodge’s focus remains on the current lineup, which includes the all-electric Charger Daytona and upcoming HURRICANE-powered SIXPACK models. However, he acknowledged that V8s are no longer considered a “bad word” within the company, hinting that future possibilities exist.
“We haven’t disclosed that,” McAlear said, when asked directly about a V8’s return. “But one of the things that’s encouraging is that with the change in leadership, you know, V8s are no longer a bad word around the company. But with anything, we still have to be compliant.”
Why a V8 Charger Would Take Time –
Even if Dodge were to greenlight a V8-powered Charger today, it wouldn’t hit the market overnight. Developing a new powertrain or reintroducing an existing one requires extensive engineering, testing, and emissions compliance. McAlear explained the complexities behind engine development timelines.
“You can’t just turn something on that wasn’t there before,” he said. “Even if we were to say we wanted to do it today, pick any engine. A V10. A four-cylinder. It’s a year-and-a-half, two-year development cycle, right?”
That means even if a decision was made recently, a V8-powered Charger wouldn’t realistically hit dealerships until at least 2027 or later.
Regulatory Uncertainty Plays a Role –
With ever-changing emissions regulations, automakers must carefully plan engine lineups to stay compliant. McAlear pointed out that political shifts can impact long-term strategies.
“We still have to find ways to keep the engines compliant,” he said. “And just because there’s a change in the administration right now, that’s only a four-year deal, right? So you have to be careful and balance it across the entire portfolio in the long run.”
McAlear also mentioned the financial challenges of keeping multiple powertrains updated with the latest emissions standards.
“You don’t want to have to spend that money if you don’t have to,” he explained. “There are thousands of suppliers, right? And then you have emissions regulations that you always have to update your engines for, and typically that’s done from year to year, because any time you have [an] update for emissions, it’s just more money you have to put into it.”
What’s Next for Dodge Performance? –
McAlear assured fans that Dodge remains focused on performance, regardless of powertrain type.
“The only thing I can say is that if history can tell us anything about the future, with all those powertrains I listed off,” he said, “you know, we’re always looking at ways to find best-in-class performance, to build on performance, and to push the boundaries. We don’t want to stand still at Dodge, and we don’t plan on it. There will be powertrain variations that continue to come. We haven’t even launched the SRT yet, so we still have to get into that. And who knows where we go if the business case makes sense [for a V8] and there’s potential.”
While the new Dodge Charger may not have a V8 under the hood just yet, McAlear’s comments make it clear that the brand is keeping its options open. Whether that means a future return of a HEMI-powered Charger or a different high-performance alternative remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Dodge isn’t done pushing the envelope.
Source: The Drive
