The Hemi Strikes Back
For enthusiasts of American muscle and performance trucks, the past couple of weeks have brought exhilarating news. A recent leak from a Wisconsin Ram dealership confirmed that the iconic 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is making a return to the Ram 1500 lineup after a brief departure in favor of six-cylinder-only powertrains. But that’s just the beginning—sources now indicate that other Hemi variants, including the powerful 6.4-liter “392” and the supercharged 6.2-liter “Hellcat” V-8s, are also coming back. And they won’t be exclusive to Ram trucks; they’re reportedly headed for the new Dodge Charger as well.
Hemi Production Restarts in August
According to MoparInsiders, Hemi V-8 production will resume at the Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan this August. While initial reports suggested only the 5.7-liter V-8 would be produced, new information indicates that the entire Hemi lineup—including the 392 and Hellcat engines—will be built at the facility. Whether this includes all variants of the Hellcat powerplant remains unclear, but the return of these beloved V-8s marks a dramatic shift from Stellantis' recent strategy.
A Hemi-Powered Dodge Charger?
One of the most controversial moves in recent automotive history was Dodge’s decision to launch the new-generation Charger as an all-electric model, the Charger Daytona, with plans for a six-cylinder “Sixpack” version to follow. The complete absence of a V-8 in Dodge’s muscle car lineup left many enthusiasts disappointed. However, new reports indicate that Dodge engineers are working to fit the Hemi V-8 under the hood of the Charger. If these reports hold true, a V-8-powered Charger could hit the market as early as next year, following the release of the EV and Sixpack models.
What This Means for Ram Trucks
While the 6.4-liter V-8 has remained available in Ram HD models, the 2025 Ram 1500 lineup was originally slated to abandon all V-8 options in favor of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. Now, a leaked internal email suggests that both the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V-8s will return to the Ram 1500. Previously, only the 5.7-liter was available in light-duty Ram models, while the 6.4-liter was reserved for HD trucks. If this report is accurate, Ram may be leaning into a more performance-oriented approach to reinvigorate flagging sales, especially under the leadership of recently reinstated CEO Tim Kuniskis.
Kuniskis had previously expressed uncertainty about whether the removal of the Hemi was directly responsible for declining Ram sales, but these recent developments suggest he may now be taking corrective action.
The Bigger Picture: The Hemi’s Return Across Stellantis Brands
The impact of the Hemi revival extends beyond Dodge and Ram. The leaked dealer presentation also claimed that Jeep is planning to build an additional 5,000 Wrangler Rubicon 392 models. The “Final Edition” badge on previous versions of the 392 Wrangler now appears to be more of a marketing tactic than a true farewell. This could indicate that Jeep—and potentially other Stellantis brands—are reconsidering their stance on phasing out the Hemi altogether.
Speculation is swirling about whether the Hemi will return to the Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, or even a future iteration of the Dodge Durango. The current Durango, particularly in its Hellcat-powered SRT guise, was initially set to phase out the Hemi but has remained in production due to strong demand. Additionally, early Wagoneer models launched with Hemi V-8s before transitioning to the Hurricane inline-six, suggesting there’s a precedent for reintroducing the legendary V-8.
Why Is Stellantis Bringing the Hemi Back?
The decision to revive Hemi production may be driven by multiple factors, including customer demand, brand identity, and potential changes in regulatory policies. The initial move away from the Hemi was likely influenced by stricter fuel economy and emissions regulations. However, with the possibility of regulatory rollbacks under a future Trump administration—who has pledged to ease emissions restrictions—Stellantis may be betting that it can keep the Hemi alive without facing significant penalties.
At the same time, the market reaction to the removal of V-8 engines from Ram and Dodge vehicles was largely negative. Sales of the Hurricane-powered Ram 1500 models have underperformed, and while the new electric Charger Daytona has generated buzz, many loyal Dodge fans have been reluctant to embrace an all-electric muscle car. Bringing back the Hemi allows Stellantis to appeal to its core audience while continuing to offer hybrid and electric alternatives for those seeking efficiency.
What’s Next?
While Stellantis has not officially confirmed the full return of the Hemi lineup, the leaked emails and insider reports paint a clear picture: the Hemi V-8 is far from dead. Whether it’s a strategic response to market trends or a long-term commitment remains to be seen, but for now, V-8 enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief.
With production set to resume in August, it won’t be long before we get official confirmation from Stellantis. And if the rumors are true, we could see a new era of Hemi-powered performance vehicles hitting the streets in 2025.
Stay tuned—American muscle isn’t going anywhere just yet.
