While killing the rumor that Dodge might be developing a new V8 to live alongside its electric muscle cars, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis noted to Motor Authority that the V8 is not being taken out of the Durango just yet. That means the SUV will still have the V8 option for the 2024 model year, but when asked about after then, Kuniskis used the common phrase familiar to automotive journalists about not commenting on future products.

Again, though, Kuniskis confirmed that the Dodge Charger and Challenger replacements will not get V8 engines, and the Hellcat will die off. The muscle car as we know it is officially about to die.

While Dodge is trying to send the muscle car out in a blaze of glory through numerous special editions, there have been issues. Dodge needs to tread carefully as Durango Hellcat owners are suing the brand with the accusation that Dodge knowingly misled them into buying the exclusive SUV, only for Dodge to make the car less exclusive than originally promised. The initial 2,000-unit run swelled to 3,000 examples. Then Dodge confirmed a new model year.

There's little danger of that happening with the Dodge Last Call editions. It is actually the last call, and the special editions will be mostly, if not entirely, picked up by collectors that know the value of their investments based on the numbers.

What's curious about all this is that the electric muscle car's STLA Large platform has been designed to accommodate a gas engine. Smart money would be on Dodge hedging its bets and being able to develop smaller gas-engined models with a hybrid assist. It's entirely possible that's something the company has up its sleeve. Hell, Lamborghini is saying its V12 hybrid Aventador replacement will make 1,001 horsepower while cutting emissions over the Aventador by 30%.

As far as we can tell, Kuniskis is being honest when he says the V8 will be gone in everything but the Durango and Durango SRT from next year. Perhaps the solution for the interim between then and the launch of electric muscle cars is the Hurricane straight-six, but whatever Dodge's future holds, a V8 is not in it.