Just when it seemed the legendary Dodge Charger Hellcat might be confined to the history books, some encouraging news, according to Automotive News, has surfaced for enthusiasts who still believe a proper American muscle car needs a thundering V8 under the hood. The latest reports suggest Dodge is preparing to bring back the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 for the 2028 model year, potentially putting one of the most recognizable engines in modern muscle car history back where many fans believe it belongs. As reported by Automotive News and highlighted by Autoblog, Stellantis is reportedly targeting late 2027 to begin production of a new Hellcat-powered Charger. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the prospect of hearing that unmistakable supercharger whine coming from the latest generation Charger is certainly enough to get our attention. After all, the Hellcat wasn’t simply another high-horsepower engine. It helped define an entire era of outrageous American performance cars, and its return could be exactly what Dodge needs to reconnect with its most passionate followers.
The timing makes plenty of sense when you look at how the new gasoline-powered Charger has been performing. Dodge initially faced considerable skepticism when it introduced the redesigned Charger Daytona EV alongside plans to replace its beloved V8 engines with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. However, the arrival of the Charger SIXPACK has helped bring traditional buyers back into the conversation. Through September 2026, Charger sales reached 8,796 units, with the gasoline-powered SIXPACK accounting for the majority of those deliveries. SIXPACK sales have climbed approximately 330% compared with the same period last year, and during the third quarter alone, Dodge sold 3,446 gasoline-powered Chargers compared with just 233 electric Daytona models. It’s a telling difference that reinforces something muscle car enthusiasts have been saying for a while. Electric performance can deliver incredible acceleration, but there’s still considerable demand for an internal combustion engine that delivers the sound, personality, and driving experience people have traditionally associated with a Dodge muscle car.
According to the latest reporting, Stellantis is considering production of approximately 12,000 Hellcat-powered Chargers annually, which would make the revived V8 a significant addition rather than some extremely limited collector’s edition. An internal planning document reportedly identifies the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 as part of the next-generation Charger’s future powertrain lineup, potentially available in both two-door and four-door configurations. The document also reportedly references a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission paired with the engine. Previous versions of the Hellcat V8 produced more than 700 horsepower, with the final Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye models delivering as much as 797 horsepower and the outrageous Demon 170 taking performance to an entirely different level. Whether the revived Charger Hellcat would match or surpass those numbers remains unknown, although anything north of 700 horsepower would immediately place it among the most exciting American performance cars on the market. For now, Stellantis has declined to confirm the reports, describing them as speculation and rumors, so the proposed timeline and specifications should be treated cautiously until Dodge makes an official announcement.
There’s also a compelling business case for bringing back the HEMI V8, and Stellantis doesn’t have to look very far to find supporting evidence. Ram experienced a substantial increase in pickup sales after restoring the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to its 1500 lineup, a move that came after significant criticism from customers who weren’t ready to abandon eight-cylinder power. During the third quarter of 2026, Ram 1500 sales climbed approximately 73% compared with the same period in 2025, while overall Ram brand sales increased 29%. Naturally, those gains cannot be attributed entirely to the engine’s return, but they demonstrate that giving customers the powertrain choices they want can be an important part of rebuilding momentum. Dodge could potentially benefit from a similar strategy, especially considering the current Charger’s platform was designed to accommodate multiple powertrain configurations. With the SIXPACK already delivering up to 550 horsepower in the Scat Pack and the recently announced Super Bee pushing output to 600 horsepower, a Hellcat would give Dodge a proper flagship model capable of carrying on the performance legacy established by the previous generation.
For many of us who have spent time behind the wheel of a Hellcat-powered Dodge, the appeal goes well beyond horsepower figures or quarter-mile times. There’s a certain theatrical quality to these cars that simply can’t be replicated by an electric motor or even a remarkably capable turbocharged six-cylinder engine. The deep rumble at idle, the aggressive exhaust note under acceleration, and that unmistakable supercharger whine are all part of what made the original Hellcat such a memorable experience. Dodge certainly deserves credit for extracting impressive performance from its new Hurricane engines, but a revived Hellcat could bring back the emotional connection that helped make the Charger and Challenger household names among performance enthusiasts. If the reports prove accurate, the 2028 Dodge Charger Hellcat could arrive at a particularly interesting moment, with the Chevrolet Camaro no longer in production and few traditional American muscle cars left offering massive V8 performance. Nothing is guaranteed until Dodge makes it official, but the possibility of a supercharged HEMI returning to the Charger is the kind of news that gives us hope that the golden age of outrageous American muscle isn’t finished just yet.
2027 Dodge Super Bee Launch Edition
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
