Dodge Charger Reportedly Getting Hellcat V8 Back for 2028
The current-generation Dodge Charger was supposed to write the next chapter of a muscle car legend. Instead, its retro styling and tech-filled cabin haven’t won over many longtime fans. Now, a new report says the Charger Hellcat is coming back with a supercharged V8 for the 2028 model year.
Sales of the new Charger have been slower than expected. Launching the first wave of production units as EVs only fueled the backlash. Now, Dodge appears ready to win those fans back. According to Automotive News, production of a Hellcat-powered Charger is slated to begin near the end of 2027.
Hellcat’s Return Comes as Dodge Struggles With Sales
When the previous-generation Charger was in production, V8 engines drove the bulk of its sales. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was the volume powerplant. This time, the 5.7-liter isn’t getting the call. Instead, a planning document reviewed by Automotive News shows the 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 returning as a 2028 model. Patrick Rall at We Talk Cars also broke down the report, including when and where a debut could happen.
Going with the supercharged Hellcat makes sense. Dodge needs to draw more attention to the Charger, and a Hellcat-powered model is a great way to do it. In addition, Hellcat-powered Chargers were strong sellers in their own right. Their popularity also made them frequent targets for organized theft rings, but they delivered steady profits for Stellantis.
Stellantis reportedly told suppliers it plans to build about 12,000 examples. That may seem like a drop in the bucket at first glance. Yet it’s more than all the Chargers Dodge has sold so far this year. Through the third quarter, Dodge sold 8,796 Chargers, including 8,029 gas-powered models and 767 EVs, according to Stellantis Q3 sales figures. Meanwhile, Ford Mustang sales climbed 17.9% through September. Many Mopar fans have also made it clear that the Charger needs a Hemi to win them back.
What Would a Revived Charger Hellcat Bring?
Stellantis called the details of the report “purely speculation/rumor” and said it won’t comment on future product strategy, Automotive News reported. Still, the Ram 1500 TRX SRT offers some clues. That muscle-bound truck uses a version of the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that makes 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. The Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT matches those figures.
It will be interesting to see if the Charger Hellcat gets the same muscle. Dodge engineers will have to work around some unique constraints that come with the Charger’s retro design. Those limits might force them to dial back the power a bit. Even so, output north of 700 horsepower seems likely. A V8 would also mark a big shift for a Charger that launched without one. Dodge has hinted an SRT Hellcat is in the works, as Rall noted in his preview of the next Charger SRT Hellcat.
The Charger Hellcat might also get all-wheel drive (AWD). In fact, every current Charger already comes standard with AWD, whether it’s an EV or a Hurricane-powered Sixpack. Older Hellcats were rear-wheel drive (RWD) only. That setup kept them lighter, but it also made them tricky for less experienced drivers. During the last generation, engineers said they lacked an AWD system that could fit under the car and handle the Hemi’s torque. The new Charger’s chassis was designed with electrification in mind, so it may have the room. AWD would improve power delivery and make the Hellcat more approachable for enthusiasts who were intimidated by RWD.
Can the Charger Hellcat Boost Dodge Sales?
The main question is whether the Hellcat can revive interest in the Charger. The V8 is certainly a powerhouse. But Hellcat models are also expensive, and they have always been the halo models of the family.
That halo status helped lure buyers into showrooms. Some signed on the dotted line, but Dodge and Stellantis also hoped the Hellcat would steer shoppers toward other Dodge models. Right now, that point may not seem to matter much. After all, the Charger and the Durango are doing most of the heavy lifting at Dodge.
Dodge’s Lineup Is About to Grow
That will change in a few years. At its Investor Day in May, Stellantis said Dodge will add a true entry-level performance vehicle as the next generation of the Hornet. That crossover is reportedly set to wear the GLH name. Dodge is also working on a new high-performance model, the Copperhead SRT. When those models arrive, any extra showroom traffic the Charger Hellcat brings will be very helpful.
In the meantime, the Charger is getting a new Super Bee for 2027. However, that variant uses the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six exclusively. That choice drew plenty of pushback from Mopar fans after its debut this summer. If the Automotive News report holds, the Hellcat could be the answer those fans have been waiting for.