--- title: "Dodge CEO All but Confirms Hemi V8-Powered Charger" description: "The [gas-powered Dodge Charger is back](). [SRT is back](). The [Hemi is back](). So when are we going to see them all in one place? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say \"soon\" — maybe even…" date: "2025-08-08" modified: "2025-08-08" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/dodge-ceo-all-but-confirms-hemi-v8-powered-charger" categories: - "Dodge News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Dodge Charger" - "Electric Vehicle" - "sedan" --- # Dodge CEO All but Confirms Hemi V8-Powered Charger ![2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack two-door in red]() *\Byron Hurd\* The [gas-powered Dodge Charger is back](). [SRT is back](). The [Hemi is back](). So when are we going to see them all in one place? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say "soon" — maybe even by the time you're reading this. Because at this point, it seems like [Dodge]() has all but confirmed that we're going to get a new V8-powered Charger. Setting aside the fact that the Challenger is now the Charger 2-Door, there are already four different ways (three, *technically*; the base Charger BEV is still M.I.A.) to build one: two electric, and two gas. But for V8 diehards, that number might as well be zero. So go ahead and hold your breath, Hemi fans, because it's only a matter of time. At a preview event for the turbocharged Sixpack, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear spent quite a bit of time answering questions about the future of the company's bruiser of a sedan. In light of those recent Hemi and SRT announcements, it should come as no surprise that the first round of questions were all about whether we'd see even more power from the new Dodge Charger. The short answer was one we'd hear again and again throughout the course of the Q&A: "We're just getting started." ![]() *Byron Hurd* ![SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger models feature a carbon-styled engine cover stamped with a red-accented SIXPACK text logo that announces the presence of the internal combustion engine under the hood.]() *Stellantis* "At this point, we're here to talk about the Sixpack," McAlear said. "And I'm extremely excited for what the team has turned out. I mean, I think hopefully you all agree it sounds incredible. When you get behind the vehicle or inside the vehicle, it sounds even better. This is the next generation of performance, and these powertrains outperform the V8 they replace," he said. "But long-term, there's more to come." More cylinders, certainly. But maybe not necessarily more power. As we've seen from the [revived Hemi Ram](), the V8 is not being positioned as its range-topping engine. The [670-horsepower Daytona EV]() will wipe the floor with any ICE-powered Charger, eight cylinders or otherwise, and on the combustion side of things, the 550-horsepower high-output inline six has quite a bit of headroom over both the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V8s that it replaces. Dodge has no incentive to dethrone the Sixpack with a garden-variety Hemi, so a truly dominant V8 will have to come in Hellcat form. But [will it even fit]()? ![]() *www.thedrive.com* "I'll let you come up here and take a look and get your tape measure out," McAlear. "But, uh, don't be surprised if it would fit." Yep, that's *would*. "But, you know, that's the beauty of this platform. Some could say we're lucky, some can say we're smart. Uh, you know, we did not commit to one technology, one powertrain," he went on. "And that's why the beauty of this is in the multi-energy. A lot went into this platform from the beginning to be able to evolve over time and flex with consumer demand and changes in \[regulations\]." But make no mistake, even a revived Hemi won't mark the end of the electric Charger. "It's no secret that we're absolutely flexing more into ICE production right now," McAlear said. "But we are not walking away from the power, the performance, and the excitement that battery electric can provide." *Got a tip? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()