If you’ve been following the saga of Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram, you’ll know it’s in the midst of a turnaround with its North American subsidiaries. Under previous leadership, the conglomerate focused on downsizing and electrifying powertrains, but that push flopped so badly that the CEO, Carlos Tavares, resigned from the company.
In an effort to claw back buyers and take advantage of the current administration’s incredibly lax emissions stance, Stellantis is pivoting back to V8 power for some of its vehicles that, previously, everyone assumed would never get an eight-cylinder powerplant again.
That journey up the cylinder count ladder has already begun, with the reintroduction of the Hemi V8 back to the engine lineup of the Ram 1500 pickup truck last year. While Stellantis has yet to confirm whether any other vehicles in its lineup will receive V8s in the near future, the whole industry is expecting more eight-cylinder availability from the brand soon.
As for which cars are most likely to get V8 power, well, all you have to do is look into the automaker’s not-so-distant past.
The “Duh” Category
First up are the cars that seem pretty likely to get a V8 if Stellantis continues down this path of offering bigger engines to attract customers. If the Ram 1500 hadn’t already gotten a Hemi, it’d be at the top of this section. But since it did, the next most likely candidates are those from Stellantis’s SUV brand, Jeep. Specifically, the Grand Wagoneer and the Grand Cherokee (in that order).
Currently, the Wrangler is the only vehicle in Jeep’s lineup that offers a V8 option, which feels pretty ironic considering it hadn’t had a factory V8 option until the Rubicon 392 came out in 2021. The Grand Cherokee, meanwhile, hasn’t offered a Hemi powertrain since 2024. You have to go even further back, to 2023, to get a Grand Wagoneer with eight cylinders, despite it being the brand’s largest vehicle.
If anything in Stellantis’s current lineup is getting a V8, it’s these two SUVs. But the company itself has yet to confirm anything. The Drive recently spoke with Joe Aljajawi, the guy in charge of the engineering for the current Grand Cherokee, who, when asked about a possible return of the Hemi, told the publication to keep an eye out for updates.
“I would say for the Grand Cherokee customers that we are listening to you, and then stay tuned for more,” Aljajawi said.
Then there’s the current-generation Dodge Charger coupe and sedan. Originally, Dodge intended for the top-spec, quickest Charger variant to be the all-electric Daytona model, but a sales slump and massive outcry from buyers reportedly pushed the company to accelerate the introduction of the straight-six-powered model, the Sixpack. The Sixpack is now on sale, and while it seems nice, people really still just want a Hemi under the hood of their muscle car, even if it’s less powerful.
While Dodge has yet to confirm a V8 return for the Charger, it feels like there’s a new rumor or interview every other week suggesting the Hemi could return, in some capacity, to the company’s iconic muscle car. The most recent, from last month, comes from the head of Stellantis North America himself, Tim Kuniskis, who told MotorTrend that if the Charger were to get a V8, it would be a supercharged Hellcat engine, not a naturally aspirated unit.
Putting the 5.7-liter Hemi in a Charger gives it 395 horsepower, far less than the 550 hp that the smaller and lighter high-output Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine already provides. In terms of performance, the 5.7-liter engine is not even in the ballpark, Kuniskis said in an interview.
The supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi Hellcat engine gets closer. “If you were to put a V-8 in the car you would probably go to Hellcat instead of 5.7,” he says, stressing that he was careful to use the word “probably.”
Everyone knows that a Hemi fits under the hood. I think it’s only a matter of time, in this case.
The “If They Were Cool” Category
The cars in this section can probably accept a V8 with some engineering, but ultimately, they’re here because of my wishful thinking. Another name for this category could be “The Cars I Think Should Get Hemis But Probably Won’t.” All I ask is that you hear me out.
First up: The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV. These cars are currently 10 years old, with their replacements currently being engineered (and reengineered) to accept gas powertrains so they can be sold more widely in Europe, after originally being designed to operate as pure EVs. These cars are set to ride on Stellantis’s STLA platform—the same platform used by the current Charger.
Because they’re going to ride on the same platform as the Charger, that means they should be able to accept a V8, right? While a Hemi probably isn’t the best fit for either of these cars’ personalities, it might be exactly the type of powertrain Alfa needs in the option list to revitalize the brand in America. An Alfa Romeo with a Hemi also just sounds like it’d be awesome. All the great styling and handling prowess from an Alfa, but with the rumble of a pushrod V8 under the hood? Sign me up.
The next car down the list in this category is whatever the hell Chrysler is planning. This is actually a more plausible idea than it seems, going by statements made about SRT, Stellantis’s performance subbrand, by Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell back in November (shown in the video above, emphasis mine):
I am so excited to bring back SRT and I can tell you that I’ve been meeting with my counterparts Tim Kuniskis and Matt McAlear and we’ve got a really awesome plan for SRT. It’s a great opportunity for us to bring back the performance brands and products that have been so iconic in the past as we look forward to the future. To Cut to the chase, I think you can expect to see some SRT models under the Chrysler brand.
As for which Chrysler might receive the SRT treatment, it’s hard to know for sure right now. As much as I’d love for the brand to go all-out and build the V8-powered Pacifica of my fantasies, I don’t think that’s in the cards. The longstanding minivan is currently the only product in Chrysler’s lineup right now, but Feuell hinted in that same video above plans to introduce an affordable, $30,000 model to the lineup. And an SRT version of that car probably wouldn’t get a Hemi.
The only way I could see the Hemi return to Chrysler is if the brand introduced a new 300, based on the current Charger, and offered it with V8 power. But there’s nothing out there right now that would suggest Chrysler is even thinking about doing that. A man can dream, can’t he?
Finally, in the realm of “this will absolutely never happen unless a crazed exec demands it and writes a blank check,” is a Hemi-powered Fiat 500. This is obviously a ridiculous concept, but there’s actually some precedent here. Aston Martin built a very similar car back in 2018, when it ripped out the 1.3-liter four-cylinder from its Toyota iQ-based Cygnet city car, and replaced it with a mid-mounted 4.7-liter V8 pulled from a Vantage S.
The odds of a Fiat 500 like this going into production are essentially zero, but so long as Stellantis keeps building Hemis and Fiat 500s, they’re not totally zero. Even if it’s a one-off like the Aston, I’d be incredibly happy.
Top graphic images: Stellantis
Please bring back the Viper!!
Never mind the HEMI; I’d rather see the Grand Cherokee get the Hurricane I6.
It’s honestly hard to believe that the Alfa is 10 years old. One of those reminders to me of how time passes “quicker” as you get older.
In 1970, Italian designer Frua rebodied a Dodge Challenger. It is pretty freaking cool. Chrysler needs to do something similar and let the Italian designers create the next 300 or Imperial, or something to give them a halo car that will get somebody into their showrooms.
That’s gorgeous. It looks kind of like a Jensen Interceptor in overall profile, which is another roomy coupe I love from that era (and, to bring it home, the Interceptor had Chrysler powertrains). I didn’t know the re-bodied Charger existed, so thank you for sharing!
I also agree; putting some Italian design flair into a large Chrysler would not go unappreciated.
I checked out the pics. Lust is a beautiful thing.
It looks like Monteverdi ran with this.
https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/monteverdi/375-high-speed/
Wasn’t the V8 dropped from the Grand Cherokee lineup a few years back since they were only like 4 or 5% of sales? Is gaining back that 5% really going to save this brand?
It wasn’t really because of sales (the previous generation was very V6 heavy too), but because they were dropping Hemi’s from the entire line-up.
I don’t like the idea for other models, but the Grand Cherokee makes sense because they’re charging $65,000 -$80,000 for top trim level Grand Cherokee’s with only the 3.6.
Gauntlet dropped – now they absolutely have to do a one-off Fiat 500 Hemi
I’ll risk potential divorce to offer up my wife’s 500 Sport as the donor car for anyone willing to do this.
All of the blah, blah, blah about the Hemi like it is some kind of miracle engine but if we enthusiasts remember all of the Hemi-powered Challengers and Chargers stacked up on dealer lots before they discontinued it a couple of years ago… Stellantis is ripe for an Asian takeover bid as that is the only way they are staying around… To be bought up by the lowest bidder again. Cerberus, FCA, its all the same. The one-trick pony offerings don’t mask the poor quality of this shite mobiles.
Stellantis throwing V8s around in 2026 is so on brand. They’re treading water in the middle of a shipwreck, grabbing at any piece of driftwood floating by, just trying to get in one more breath.
Definitely, but if we get more V8s out of it, I’m not complaining
The basic 5.7 is the 2.slow of Chrysler as just about everything else is better.
Maybe they should merge with Nissan.
/s
The rest of the world is heading towards EVs and Nuclear Fusion while the USA is digging in on pushrod V8s and coal. Another 20 years and we’re going to be a total backwater.
We kind of already are. I mean General Motors can’t make an engine for their “tough and rugged” trucks that doesn’t self destruct in under 20K miles and Ford being the recall king of half-baked vehicles. BYD will be a force to be reckoned with.
If they put that engine in an Alfa Romeo the Italian government should arrest Stellantis’ board of directors on terrorism charges.
Jeep gladiator with a hemi V8 option would sell like hot cakes and inject new sales in what is now becoming an aging platform
The WL is so good with the Pentastar and 8HP.
So of course I have a 4xe. The GME is not befitting something this expensive. My entire rollaway falling down a concrete stairway is quieter than that stupid thing.
Engine sounds broken.
Hybrid system IS broken.
Whee.
I’d like to see them put the Hurricane I6 into the Grand Cherokee. It would be a fantastic answer to the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in the Explorer and Aviator, which is both performant and efficient.
It would be a nice engine in the WL. The 4xe is powerful – it’s quicker than hemi versions of the LWB model. It just sounds like shit and is half-baked in its refinement. And FULL of problems, like shutting completely off on the highway in the middle of driving. Or burning to the ground.
What a dud.
The Hemi is a good engine and sounds good but it’s thirsty and not all that powerful in 5.7L form
I think I’ve read it doesn’t fit.
I believe they said it was designed to fit in any longitude vehicle in the Stellantis portfolio, including legacy products like the WK2-based Durango and LX cars.
I’m an old guy raised on V8s and I would much rather have the Hurricane. Just my opinion.
I bought my 300C thinking it might be the proverbial last of the V8s.
I hope I was wrong!
That said, I’m not sure I want a modern car. I like that my 2023 is essentially still a 2005 car that wasn’t really new then. I can still work on it!
I don’t think you’ll be envious of any models based off the new Charger platform
I’m fairly confident I’d be disappointed. I hold out hope there is some ability to build something decent eventually, but for now that new platform is full of too many compromises trying to be both a gas and an electric platform.
We have to have hope though, right?
I can smell the desperation from here
I love the smell of desperation in the morning. It smells like steep discounts. (RIP Robert Duvall)
Or, they could take a run at trying to actively sell people on the Hurricane
Ford does move a lot of Ecoboosts. Last I recall reading it was near-60% in the f150, but published numbers are hard to verify.
Whaaaa? That doesn’t seem logical.
The thing is, Ford still sells a lot of V8s too. It was stupid to completely kill the V8 when they introduced the I6. If nothing else, it prompted a lot of hard feelings from their staunchest fans.
As part of their “sell the Hurricane” it would have done them well to have both for sale side-by-side for a while to demonstrate why you should want the Hurricane, and then they could easily sunset the 5.7 without the hard feelings.
They genuinely spent decades trying to make you believe that you needed a V8 to have a ‘proper truck’ and shouting “hemi” at you to the point it was a joke for anyone else – it takes some effort to undo that.
I thought the Grand Cherokee L still offered the Hemi.
It was dropped from the L in 2024 🙁
I ordered a Ram 1500 specifically without the V8.
I live up at high altitude, so forced induction is a necessity unless you want to take a serious hit to power.
Hurricane 3.0L Inline 6 is the way I went.
Speaking of which, would it be possible to cheaply develop a new 300 out of the new Charger – maybe by reworking it into a notchback and changing the lights and plastic fascia? That would give Chrysler and Dodge distinct body styles, and the 300 could be given some plusher interior treatments – leather trimmed cloth seats as standard instead of just cloth, maybe an analog clock in the dash, bit of carpet on the bottom of the door cards, faux woodgrain trim instead of black plastic, cheap, simple changes to make a more upscale ambiance. A sketchy aftermarket shop would take off the hatch and glue in a fiberglass piece with a new rear bulkhead and opening trunk lid, but the factory could do something more elegant
Great idea. Or they just rename the Pacifica as the Dodge Voyager (my favorite name of the choices) and mothball Chrysler.
Somewhere the ghost of Lee Iacocca is smiling
Hemi in the Charger would be good but I’d rather they cut 2000lbs from it.
I’d rather they cut $10,000 from it.
Both? I’m going with both.
While you mention the Wrangler, I am surprised you left out the Gladiator (modern that is). They have never offered a V8 in one and I would think that could easily be a nice seller. While your claim that the Wrangler didn’t have a factory V8 option before 2021 is technically true, that is quite the technicality considering the Wrangler’s predecessor had factory V8 options (you could get both a CJ-5 and CJ-7 with a 304 V8).
It should work, as my ’79 CJ5 has the 360 from the old pickup…
The AMC 360 and the Mopar 360 are not the same engine.