A recent rumor from MotorTrend claimed the next-generation Dodge muscle cars would retain their V8 engines alongside the already-confirmed all-electric models. "The story was false," a Dodge spokesperson told CarBuzz. "The Charger/Challenger platform and its HEMI power go away after 2023. The unnamed replacement will be BEV."
This is a huge piece of news, but it's not entirely surprising. We first reported Dodge trademarking its old-school Fratzog logo, likely for the upcoming electric Dodge Challenger EV and Dodge Charger EV replacements. So the reporting by MT seemed completely out of line with what had gone before it.
Before these V8 muscle cars ride off into the sunset, Dodge is reportedly working on a final send-off model producing over 900 horsepower from a supercharged V8. This special variant will run on E85 ethanol fuel, making it one of the most outrageous vehicles ever produced. This rumored model may be revealed soon since Dodge's Speed Week event starts on August 12 and runs through August 20. Dodge has confirmed three huge reveals at the event, including a combustion engine vehicle, a plug-in hybrid, and an EV.
"There's no better place to unveil a new performance direction for the Dodge brand than right on Woodward Avenue in metro Detroit, with tens of thousands of our closest fans and friends," Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said.
Very little is known about the upcoming Dodge EV, other than it will still "tear up the streets, not the planet." The EV will likely exceed all performance metrics set by the outgoing Hellcat models, including power, acceleration, and overall performance. We've seen vehicles like the Tesla Model S Plaid completely embarrass gas-powered supercars as the drag strip, so Dodge sees electrification as the next step in performance, not a chore it has to complete because the government said so.
We look forward to seeing what Dodge has up its sleeve later this month. But it won't be a next-generation HEMI V8 muscle car.