Stellantis has introduced a fresh lineup of six HEMI V8 crate engine packages through its Direct Connection brand. These engines span a wide range of power outputs, topping out at an impressive 1,025 horsepower. The announcement coincided with the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, highlighting the company’s commitment to classic muscle and performance enthusiasts.
Range of New Crate Engine Packages
The new Direct Connection program offers fully integrated crate engines paired with engine controllers and backed by a three-year or 100,000-mile warranty. They are designed as turnkey solutions compatible with both manual and automatic transmissions.
The six crate engines include:
- 345 Crate HEMI Street Strip: Produces 385 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque; fits TorqueFlite 8HP90 automatic or Tremec Magnum manual transmissions.
- 345 Crate HEMI Super Stock (specific power figures not disclosed).
- 392 Crate HEMI Street Strip or Super Stock: Delivers 485 hp and 475 lb-ft torque; suitable for manual or automatic applications.
- Hellcrate Redeye 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Super Stock: Up to 885 hp and 787 lb-ft of torque in High Octane Mode.
- Hellephant C170 Super Stock: The top performer with up to 1,025 hp and 945 lb-ft torque on E85 fuel.
All crate engines feature flex-fuel compatibility and arrive in exclusive Direct Connection packaging that celebrates SRT’s heritage.
Classic Muscle Meets Modern Performance
At the same event, Stellantis showcased a restored 1967 Plymouth GTX fitted with the new Hellcrate Redeye engine. This rebuild brought back the traditional HEMI muscle car experience after the vehicle was previously converted to electric power, a change that reportedly disappointed the car’s original owner.
Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis’ head of performance brands, noted the return to a supercharged HEMI under the hood, aiming to better satisfy traditional muscle car fans.
Availability and Pricing
The new crate engines will be available starting in the first quarter of 2027. Stellantis has not yet released official pricing but confirmed the engines will come with serialized identification plaques for authenticity.
These new offerings by Direct Connection provide muscle car builders and restorers with authentic, high-performance V8 engines combining old-school power with modern controls and warranty support.
Source: Stellantis via Motor1.com
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Source: autoevolution.com