2027 Dodge Charger Hellcat: For muscle-car loyalists, the last couple of years have felt… wrong.
The Dodge Charger disappeared, came back electric, then returned with an inline-six. Fast? Yes. Impressive on paper? Absolutely. But for anyone who grew up worshipping the thunder of a Hemi V-8 something crucial was missing.
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Now, it finally looks like Dodge is fixing that mistake.
While Stellantis hasn’t officially slapped a press release on the table yet, all signs point to one big, beautiful truth: the V-8 Dodge Charger is coming back — and the Hellcat badge is likely returning with it.
Why the V-8 Charger Matters More Than Ever
The Dodge Charger without a V-8 just doesn’t feel right.
Historically, aside from one largely forgotten generation, every Charger worth remembering had eight cylinders under the hood. The Hemi V-8 isn’t just an engine — it’s part of the Charger’s personality. Take it away, and you don’t just lose power… you lose character.
That’s why the Charger Daytona EV, despite its brutal acceleration, never truly connected with die-hard fans. The Charger Sixpack brought gasoline back, but two missing cylinders kept traditionalists unconvinced.
A Hemi-powered Charger is more than nostalgia. It’s Dodge returning to its roots at a time when most rivals have already waved the white flag.
Built on a Modern Platform — With Old-School Muscle
The new-generation Dodge Charger ride on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, a flexible architecture designed for EVs, hybrids, and combustion engines. That flexibility raised a big question early on:
Can a V-8 actually fit?
Turns out — yes.
Dodge quietly answered the doubter by launching a track-only Charger Drag Pak in late 2025, packing a supercharged 354-cubic-inch Hemi. If it fits there it can fit on the street.
That Drag Pak was the strongest clue yet that a production V-8 Charger wasn’t dead — just delayed.
Powertrain: Familiar Hemis, Serious Horsepower
If Dodge follows its past playbook, the returning Charger lineup could feature three iconic Hemi V-8 engines:
- 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 — around 370 horsepower
- 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 — roughly 485 horsepower
- 6.2-liter Supercharged Hemi (Hellcat) — 717+ horsepower with Redeye-level madness still possible
These would join the existing 420-hp and 550-hp Hurricane inline-six, giving buyer more choice than ever.
Expect an eight-speed automatic transmission across the board. Manuals, sadly, are almost certainly gone.
Will R/T and Scat Pack Return?
Here’s where things get interesting.
The classic R/T and Scat Pack names are already being used on six-cylinder Chargers which means Dodge may need new trim names for the V-8 models. But one name feels untouchable…
Hellcat.
If the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi returns, it’s almost guaranteed to wear the Hellcat badge. Dodge knows exactly how powerful that name still is — especially in an era where most competitors have disappeared.
Who Will the V-8 Charger Compete With?
The muscle-car battlefield looks very different today.
- Chevy Camaro ZL1 — gone
- Mustang Shelby GT500 — on hiatus
That leaves the Ford Mustang GT as the Charger’s only true traditional rival.
However if Dodge offers a four-door Hellcat it could also take aim at something unexpected:
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing one of the last manual, supercharge V-8 sedan on sale.
Different philosophies, same audience.
The One Big Risk Dodge Faces
As legendary as the Hemi is, it’s also old-school.
The twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six is:
- More fuel efficient
- More modern
- Potentially easier to tune
In fact, the Hurricane already outguns the naturally aspirated Hemis. Only the supercharged Hellcat V-8 clearly stays on top.
That means V-8 Chargers will likely be:
- Heavier
- Less efficient
- More expensive
But muscle cars have never been about logic — they’re about emotion.
Expected Release Date and Pricing
There’s no official confirmation yet, but with Hemi production restarted in Michigan, timing lines up perfectly.
Estimate arrival:
Late 2026 or early 2027
Expected starting prices:
- 5.7-liter V-8 Charger: around $53,000
- 6.4-liter V-8 Charger: roughly $60,000
- Charger Hellcat: approximately $80,000
Yes, that’s premium money — but this is likely Dodge’s last true V-8 Charger.
Final Thoughts: Dodge Knows Its Fans
Dodge tried to move on. The fans didn’t.
Bringing the Hemi V-8 back isn’t just about sales numbers — it’s about identity. The howl of a supercharged Hellcat might be just what muscle-car culture needs right now in a world that is quickly moving toward silent speed.
Dodge appear committed to making it loud, unapologetic, and unforgettable if this is indeed the last chapter for the V-8 Charger.
FAQs
Q: Will Dodge officially bring back the Charger Hellcat?
A: Dodge hasn’t confirm it yet but all sign strongly suggest the Hellcat badge will return with the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi.
Q: Will the new Charger still be offered as a four-door?
A: Yes Dodge is expect to continue offering both two-door and four-door Charger variant.
Q: Is the Hemi V-8 better than the Hurricane inline six?
A: In raw emotion and sound — absolutely. In efficiency and modern tech — the Hurricane has the edge.
Q: Is this the last V-8 Charger ever?
A: It could be. With tightening emissions rule this may be Dodge’s final Hemi-powered Charger.
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