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As I reported earlier this week, Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, Ram and Jeep confirmed that it will start producing new HEMI engines later this year at a plant in Michigan. That is welcome news for fans who love the big engine and the horsepower it creates. Now, potential Dodge Charger Daytona buyers want to know when they may see the famous engine in the Dodge Charger Daytona.
Dodge is scrambling to boost sales after a tough 2024. The brand’s first BEV, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV, is having a hard time cracking the muscle car market. Dodge is known for big engines and high horsepower and fans want to see the gas-powered muscle car roar back into production.
2025 Dodge Charger Gas-Powered Versions Moving Ahead
Dodge is reportedly pulling production of the new gas-powered HURRICANE Inline 6 Charger version up to as soon as this May. Stellantis Chairman, John Elkann, told Italpassion "We'll launch the right models, with the right engines, at the right time".
Elkann did not address the HEMI engine specifically but admitted that the company is changing its plans for the changing market demands, especially in North America.
“We focused on product launches, adjusting plans to ensure that the right models, with the right powertrains, arrive at the right time. [...] we're reintroducing classic American models, including a Jeep Cherokee-sized SUV and the gas-powered Dodge Charger, and we're suspending the launch of the all-electric Ram truck to better align our offering with current market demands in North America.”
The First Gas-Powered 2025 Dodge Charger Models
The all-new Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O. is powered by the 3.0L Twin Turbo Hurricane High Output engine. It is expected to produce 550-horsepower, which is impressive. However, the Dodge Durango that still carries the HEMI Hellcat, the most powerful gas engine has 710-horsepower. You can see why muscle car fans are thrilled even though the Hurricane engine has better fuel mileage and puts up respectable statistics.
The EV versions are rated as 670-horsepower for the Daytona Scat Pack and 496-horsepower for the Daytona R/T. Both have all-wheel-drive capability.
When Might Drivers See the HEMI Power Return to Dodge
Realistically, if Stellantis starts producing HEMIs at the plant in Dundee, Michigan, in August, we could see the engines returning in models later in the year, possibly as 2026 models. It is not unusual for automakers to produce vehicles in phases, offering less powerful models first to attract the most anxious buyers. Dodge phased out its HEMI-powered Challengers and Chargers in 2023. Many may be enticed to trade-in for the newer HEMI models.
I would expect that Ram and its truck line will be the first to receive HEMI engines. Ram’s TRX was revered for its 702 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque with the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine. The TRX was phased out in 2024. It had an incredible top speed of 118 mph. The Ram TRX launched from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a quarter mile in 12.9 seconds at 108 mph. More importantly, the TRX stirred excitement among customers, even though they often chose to buy Ram’s more affordable and less powerful trucks. During this time of uncertainty in the automotive sector, the Stellantis brands need to spur excitement, and the HEMI engines may be able to bring that excitement.
New Dodge Color Called Bludicrous
Fresh off the Spring Fest in California, Dodge is debuting a new color for the 2025 Charger. Bludicrous blue Chargers are arriving now in dealerships. The vibrant blue is available on four-door Charger Daytona EV models and the gas-powered Dodge Charger SIXPACK models that are going into production in May.
Dodge Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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