Stellantis recently showed its new 3.0-liter Hurricane six-cylinder engine can outperform older V8s, especially in the Dodge Charger Super Bee with 600 horsepower and experimental eBoost Air technology. However, reports now suggest the company could be working on an all-new V8 engine, not just continuing with the existing HEMI units.
Hints from Plant Activity Suggest New V8 Development
Speculation about a new V8 grew after the Windsor assembly plant in Canada, where the new Dodge Charger is built, temporarily closed. While some workers were sent home, tooling and technical staff stayed on-site. Observers think Stellantis may be updating production lines during the shutdown. Since the Charger’s STLA Large platform is designed to accept different powertrains, including traditional internal combustion engines, modifications could be for a new engine layout. No official confirmation exists yet, so this remains a possibility rather than a fact.
Trenton Engine Plant Changes Support Engine Rumors
Additional reports come from the Trenton North engine plant in Michigan. An automotive YouTube channel, TK’s Garage, says part of the factory was cleared to add a new production line unrelated to the Hurricane V6. The channel’s source—who claims multiple confirmations—believes this line could be set up to build a new V8 engine instead of just restarting older HEMI production.
What Could the New V8 Look Like?
The rumor mill points to a 5.2-liter V8 with a modern design, possibly featuring dual overhead camshafts (DOHC). Some speculation also suggests it might use twin-turbocharging, marking a major change from the traditional pushrod design of current V8s. If true, this engine could become the top performance motor in Dodge’s lineup, possibly replacing or complementing the Hellcat’s role. Fitting such an engine would require changes at Windsor to the assembly line, engine bay space, and cooling systems.
Balancing Six-Cylinder and V8 Options Going Forward
Stellantis has already proven the Hurricane V6 can deliver strong performance and even beat some V8-powered models. Yet, the V8 remains popular with many American muscle car buyers. The new V6 may serve as the main engine for most customers, while a future high-end V8 could become a signature option across Dodge, SRT, RAM, and Jeep vehicles. For now, Stellantis has not confirmed the existence or details of this new V8, but factory activities and multiple sources hint the engine might be closer to reality than first thought. Even Maserati’s chief engineer has mentioned the possibility of returning to a V8 in discussions.
Source: italpassion.fr