Following the discontinuation of the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro (and with that model facing an uncertain future), coupled with the disappearance of V8 power from the all-new Dodge Charger, it seemed as if The Blue Oval was in a unique position as the only company offering a V8-powered American “muscle car” of sorts (or pony car, as fans prefer it to be called). FoMoCo plans to continue selling the Ford Mustang with a V8 for the foreseeable future, and will even “double down” on that type of powerplant, in fact. However, the Ford Mustang may not be the last V8-powered American muscle car left standing, after all.
According to a new report from Mopar Insiders, Stellantis is planning to begin building V8 engines once again at the Dundee Engine Plant (DEP) in Michigan as soon as this coming August, and now, it seems as if one of them – a Hemi V8 – is destined for the Dodge Charger, though that won’t apparently happen until 2026. It’s a huge shift for Stellantis after it seemed content to kill off its V8 engine line entirely not too long ago, but following the departure of former CEO Carlos Tavares, much has changed in that regard.
As Ford Authority reported back in January, Stellantis is also planning on bringing back V8 power for its Ram 1500 line of pickups after launching the refreshed model without such powerplants – and the previously-discontinued Ram 1500 TRX – the only true Ford F-150 Raptor R rival – may be returning in 2026 with a V8 underhood as well, after it was replaced by the Hurricane I-6 powered RHO.
In the meantime, Stellantis has shifted gears with the Dodge Charger as well, given the fact that it previously expected the all-electric Daytona variants to lead the way in what it thought would be an all-electric muscle car revolution. As Ford Authority reported last November, Stellantis is working to fast track production of the Hurricane I-6 powered Dodge Charger, which is now slated to hit the assembly lines five months earlier than previously expected. That means these models should begin reaching dealers by this summer, rather than later in the year, as originally planned.
Comments
Thank God Tavares is gone! LFG!
I will give the Board of Directors at Stellantis credit. They saw the problem was their CEO’s “vision” and they fixed it. Others could learn a lesson from them….
Hoping he gets axed before the “Mustang” brand garbage comes out.
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
– Proverbs 27:17
Good to see there will be muscle cars that compete against each other in the future.
Full-size land barge – Disqualified. Muscle Car: intermediate or lighter with big displacement V8. Let the big cars rest in peace.
What a coincidence, Garbage Tavares resigns effective 12/1/24, and Tim “Father of the Hellcat” Kuniskis suddenly returns as the head of RAM.