Is Mopar V8, Hemi, Set for a Shock Return?
Tavares axed Doge, Ram and Jeep’s V8s. But he’s been fired and it seems V8s and the Hemi will be back under the bonnet soon.
After insisting that the Mopar V8 and indeed the glorious Hemi V8 is dead, Stellantis appears to be on the verge of a sensational volta-face that will see this beloved engines returning to relevant Dodge, Jeep and Ram model line-ups.
Stellantis insider sources who prefer to remain anonymous suggest that V8 production will recommence at the Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan as soon as August this year. Better still, our spies imply that production will not be limited to the 5.7-liter V8,and that Dundee will soon also build Hemi, 392 and Hellcat engines for a raft of new models.
A separate source speculates that Dodge engineers already have Hemi V8s running in new Charger test mules. And that new car will already hit the road as soon as 2026. It will allegedly follow the already available EV model and Sixpack inline-six models due in the summer.
Departed Stellantis CEO Tavares Killed the V8
Much to the despair of petrol head fans, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dropped V8 propulsion under the influence of former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares’ gas engine witch hunt over the past two years. The V8s, part of the Dodge and Chrysler line-up since the ‘50s and the iconic Hemi, were dropped in favour of the new 3-liter biturbo Hurricane straight-six.
Stellantis went as far as to vehemently deny chatter that that the V8 and Hemi still had future, as it culled the Dodge Challenger and previous generation Charger, the hardcore Ram TRX and other models that were Hemi propelled.
Sales however bombed after the switch. In line with other brands tanking on the removal of gas, V8 and performance models from their ranges.
EV Architect Tavares Has Since Been Sent Packing
Then EV architect Tavares was controversially ejected from the helm at Stellantis. Re-assigned Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis was initially unsure whether cutting V8 engines from the range was directly responsible for slow sales. He admitted that he wanted more time to adequately analyze the conundrum.
Fresh Mopar V8 speculation now suggests that Kuniskis may have come to what many see as an obvious conclusion. And that he is indeed already implementing fresh plans to see Mopar V8s return. Alongside the Hurricane and Pentastar sixes across relevant Dodge, Ram and also Jeep model ranges. And headed by a returning V8 Ram 1500 TRXs.
This change in heart is understood to be partly to blame on the exit of former V8-hating Tavares, as much as it has to do with growing speculation that the Trump administration will ease draconian regulations that compromised gas V8s. while encouraging EV development. The ‘EV revolution’ meanwhile already appears to have hit the wall.
We Cannot Confirm or Deny the V8 Rumours – Stellantis
Dodge this week responded to the speculation. Its statement reiterates its existing, well known and confirmed Hellcat and Pentastar six plans. But it concluded, “we have nothing further to share about the next-gen Charger lineup.” In other words, ‘we cannot confirm or deny the V8 rumours’.
It is however expected that when they do return, that Dodge, Ram and Jeep V8 and Hemis will likely be carryover engine designs. But with improvements to encourage less fuel consumption and greener emissions. As well as more capacity and power further up the range 6.4-liter engine already found in the Ram HD.
Either way, can V8 fans start to rejoice a Hemi return? Time will tell, but joining the dots, the wait may not be very long. It seems that the Mopar V8 is coming back. And then some!
Photos: Stellantis/Lupini
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