HEMI® V8 Dodge Charger In The Works, But HURRICANE I6 Come First

Yesterday, we broke the news that multiple HEMI® V8 engines are set to return, with production starting at the Dundee Engine Plant (DEP) in Michigan as early as this August. Now, we have even more exciting information—Dodge engineers are actively working to bring HEMI power back to the all-new Dodge Charger (LB). While muscle car fans will have to wait until late 2026 for the return of V8 performance, Dodge isn’t leaving them hanging. The brand is pushing its new twin-turbocharged HURRICANE I6-powered Charger SIXPACK models forward, with production now set to begin in May and deliveries expected this summer.

The new Dodge Charger SIXPACK lineup will be the first internal combustion engine (ICE) versions of the LB-generation Charger to hit the streets. Two models will be offered: a four-door SIXPACK producing 420 horsepower—50 more than the outgoing Charger R/T—and a two-door SIXPACK packing 550 horsepower, surpassing the 2023 Charger Scat Pack by 65 horsepower. These high-output six-cylinder models will carry the torch for Dodge’s muscle car legacy while enthusiasts wait for the HEMI’s return.

With the production timeline moved up, Dodge is making it clear that gasoline-powered performance isn’t going anywhere. The HURRICANE I6 offers impressive power and efficiency, meeting modern emissions standards without sacrificing performance. But for many Dodge loyalists, the unmistakable rumble of a HEMI V8 is irreplaceable. That’s why the confirmation of a future HEMI-powered Charger is such a big deal—it means that Dodge isn’t abandoning its muscle car roots and will continue offering a variety of powertrain options.

Yesterday, we discussed how the revived HEMI production will focus on the Ram 1500 and Dodge Durango, but sources indicate that additional HEMI-powered vehicles are in the pipeline. While there’s no confirmation yet on whether the Grand Cherokee (WL) or Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer (WS) will see a return of the HEMI, the fact that Dodge is actively working on a V8-powered Charger suggests that more Stellantis vehicles could follow. Muscle car enthusiasts can look forward to a diverse lineup that balances traditional V8 power with modern twin-turbocharged I6 performance.

“If you look back across the last generation, you go through the engines between the Charger and the Challenger and the Magnum,” Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said in a recent interview. “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.”

“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.”

For now, Dodge’s focus is on launching the HURRICANE-powered Charger models and ensuring they uphold the brand’s reputation for high-performance vehicles. With more power than their predecessors, the SIXPACK models should satisfy enthusiasts when they hit dealerships this summer. But with the promise of a HEMI-powered Charger on the horizon, Dodge is ensuring that V8 muscle will live on. Stay tuned for more updates on the return of the HEMI V8 and the future of the Dodge Charger lineup.