Have Dodge & RAM Just Done the UNTHINKABLE?!
Somebody pinch me – or just whack me with a wrench – am I imagining this? Or is it just wishful thinking? Could the HEMI V8, yes, that glorious, thunderous, petrol-drinking, tyre-shredding beast of an engine, which only last year was laid to rest with full honours and a 21-gun salute… could it actually be coming back to life? And I don’t just mean in slammed into a Restomod in a dodgy backstreet garage, but reportedly, potentially (and quite likely) from Stellantis themselves?!
That’s right, Car and Driver, MotorTrend and Autoweek are all reporting industry leaks suggesting that’s exactly what’s going behind the high walls of Dodge and Ram. It seems there’s more just flowing tears and regret at losing their iconic best-selling engine – there’s also a collapse in demand to contend with. Well that would do it. So Stateside motoring media reports strong suggest Dodge and RAM might actually be reversing course and bringing back the HEMI V8s, including the beloved Hellcat motor.
Stellantis Pulling a U-Turn?
The current automotive trend has been: kill the V8, shove in a hybrid or a twin-turbo six, or go even further scoop the whole lot to make space for a battery packs and an electric motor or two. Stellantis, owners of Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM (among others – Vauxhall, Opel, Alfa, Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat – yes very European indeed), seemed to be marching firmly in the direction of the electric revolution. The HEMI was declared dead, buried, and mourned.
But now? There’s talk – strong talk – that Stellantis will restart production of the 5.7-litre and 6.4-litre HEMI V8s (and even the bonkers 6.2-litre Hellcat engine) at the Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan as early as August this year. The old Saltillo plant in Mexico is now busy with Hurricane inline-sixes, so this move back to Michigan feels symbolic. A return to muscle roots, right in Motown. Cue Springsteen.
Dodge Charger & RAM – V8 Resurrection
The all-new 2025 Dodge Charger has gone full EV, complete with a fake exhaust sound system – the “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” – at least they still do cool names. It actually looks the part, I like it. And frankly I want to give those chambers a try personally if I’m being honest. The kid in me really wants to play with the sound systems!
Having said that, ain’t no replacement for displacement as they say, and a digital whir whilst fun, can’t compete with the resonating rumble of a mighty engine, nor the intoxicating urgent whine of a supercharger. Even as there’s interest in the new body shop, it’s well known that buyers were holding out for a combustion-engined variant, which has been promised and will be seen late this year.
But now the cycle might repeat, and I wouldn’t be entirely surprised to see those same buyers stall their orders yet again, in anticipation of strong reports that engineers are even now working frantically to figure out how to shoehorn the HEMI into the new Charger. They’ll have a bit of a wait though. If this story is true, expect to see the car no earlier than later 2026.
The RAM 1500, which controversially dropped the V8 for 2025, is also rumoured to be reinstating the HEMI alongside its six-pots. Even the TRX could return with all eight cylinders of fury.
Why the Comeback?
Let’s be real – it’s not nostalgia, it’s economics. Sales of these V8-less successors have reportedly tanked. Customers are waiting. The die-hards, the traditionalists, the enthusiasts – they want proper muscle. And while EVs have their place, not everyone is ready to plug in just yet.
Oh, and let’s not forget politics. With Trump running again on an anti-EV, pro-oil, freedom-gas platform, there may be an opportunity (or at least the perception of one) for brands to reintroduce ICE models while regulators are momentarily distracted.
But What About the Planet?
Good question. And let’s not ignore the reality of emissions and regulations. But as I’ve said before: let’s give consumers choice. Dodge is still pushing ahead with EVs. Let them. But if they can also offer us a roaring, rumbling, fire-breathing V8 with improved efficiency, then why not? We’re not talking about 100mpg commuters – we’re talking about halo carsand hero trucks. The stuff that stirs the soul.
Final Thoughts
This is more than just the return of a few extra cylinders. It’s symbolic. It’s Dodge admitting that car culture isn’t dead. That performance, character, and identity still matter.
So here’s to the resurrection of the HEMI. Whether you’re in London or Los Angeles, Riyadh or Romford, you know the sound of a proper V8 when it hits you in the chest. Let’s hope this isn’t just a rumour – but the start of a proper muscle revival.
💬 What do you think? Is this the right move from Stellantis, or should we all be moving on from the V8 era? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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