Tonight, the Dodge brand unveils one of Detroit’s most anticipated vehicles in recent years. The vehicle will demonstrate the brand’s move towards electrification with its next generation of ‘eMuscle’ cars. But while that might be exciting for some, Dodge announced on Monday that the 2023 model year would mark the end of the HEMI era for the brand.
6.4 liters (392 cubic inches) SRT HEMI V8. (Evade).
Since the announcement, multiple media outlets have posted that Dodge is dropping the internal combustion engine (ICE) from its offering entirely after 2023, and that’s simply not true. Multiple sources close to MoparInsiders.com have confirmed to us that when the 2024 Dodge Challenger (LB) and Charger (LF) launch in late 2023, they will both come with ICE and battery electric vehicle (BEV) options.
These sources have indicated that while the HEMI lineup may not return, the all-new 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six will be offered in both Standard (SO) and High (HO) horsepower, depending on the model.
3.0-litre GME-T6 SO (Hurricane) in-line 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine. (stellantis).
The SO version of the Hurricane will produce around 400 hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s more powerful than the 5.7-liter (345-cubic-inch) HEMI V8. The SO is designed for optimized fuel economy and uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
For the HO, the engine is optimized for performance while maintaining significant fuel economy. The Hurricane HO will be good for at least 500 hp and 475 lb.-ft. of torque and takes it right where the current 6.4-liter (392-cubic-inch) SRT HEMI V8 is.
GME-T6 HO (Hurricane) 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder in-line engine. (stellantis).
The reason for switching to the Hurricane straight-six lies in the ongoing emission regulations. The new straight-six engines have 15% fewer tailpipe emissions and burn less fuel than naturally aspirated HEMI V8s. I must love government politics.
While the grunt of a V8 may be gone, rest assured you won’t just be stuck with electrified muscle car offerings when the next cars hit dealerships in the 2024 model year.
But with the aftermarket and knowing how people are, we can only wait and see who pulls out the straight-six and swaps out a HEMI in the next-gen cars.