Dodge CEO Hints at the Return of the HEMI® in the New Charger

Dodge fans have long been asking one big question: will the HEMI® V8 make a comeback in the new generation of the Dodge Charger? After the 2024 Charger Daytona’s launch, many enthusiasts were left wondering if the iconic HEMI would fit under the hood of the new platform. At a recent media event ahead of the unveiling of the 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear dropped a hint that the answer could very well be “yes.”

A key complaint from fans of the new Charger has been the absence of the powerful V8 engine that made previous generations legendary. While the Dodge Charger (LB) generation has delivered solid performance numbers with its current engine options, there has always been a sense that something essential was missing.

At the media preview for the 2026 Charger SIXPACK, McAlear faced the inevitable question: would a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® HELLCAT V8 fit under the Charger’s hood? His response was simple yet intriguing: “Don’t be surprised if it would fit.” This statement has ignited excitement among Dodge enthusiasts, hinting at a potential return of the HEMI engine.

The Charger Daytona, which was unveiled in 2024, previously included reports that a HEMI engine would not fit in the engine bay without major modifications. Some media members were told that installing the engine would require significant adjustments, including moving the firewall and redoing the front end of the car. However, McAlear’s latest comments suggest that the platform may be more versatile than previously thought.

“That’s the beauty of this platform,” McAlear explained. “Some can say we’re lucky, some can say we’re smart. We did not commit to one technology, one powertrain. A lot went into this platform from the beginning to be able to evolve over time and flex with consumer demand and changes in regulatory [policy].”

The platform McAlear refers to is the STLA Large architecture, which underpins the new Dodge Charger. Developed as a multi-energy platform, the STLA Large architecture can support electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid powertrains, and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This flexibility opens the door for future developments, including a potential V8-powered Charger.

With the new political climate allowing for more flexibility in emissions regulations, McAlear confirmed that Dodge is flexing into internal combustion engine production. “With the change in the administration, it’s no secret that we’re absolutely flexing into ICE production right now,” McAlear stated. This shift has already been seen with the return of the HEMI to Ram’s 1500 lineup, and now, it looks like Dodge might be following suit.

Despite the push toward electrification with models like the Charger Daytona, McAlear emphasized that Dodge is not walking away from the performance excitement that gas-powered engines bring. “We are not walking away from the power, the performance, and the excitement that battery electric provides,” he said, indicating that the brand is fully committed to offering a range of options to its customers.