The Hemi V8 is Back: How Dodge's Electric Gamble Failed and What's Coming Next
The Charger Daytona EV was supposed to be the future of muscle cars. Instead, it became one of 2025's biggest sales disasters. Now Stellantis is scrambling to bring back what fans actually wanted.
The Charger Daytona Disaster
In the world of muscle cars, few names carry as much weight as "Hemi." For decades, that V8 rumble was synonymous with American performance. So when Dodge announced the new Charger would launch as an electric vehicle—complete with fake exhaust sounds—the reaction was... not great.
Now, less than a year after the Charger Daytona EV hit dealerships, Stellantis is in full retreat. The entry-level Daytona R/T has been discontinued. The high-performance Banshee variant is reportedly dead. And engineers are "actively working" on bringing the Hemi V8 back to the Charger lineup.
Here's what happened, what's coming, and what it means for buyers.
What Went Wrong with the Daytona EV
Wrong Car, Wrong Time
Dodge launched an EV muscle car just as EV demand softened. The $7,500 federal tax credit expired in September 2025, making the already-pricey Daytona even harder to justify.
Identity Crisis
Muscle car buyers wanted V8 thunder. EV enthusiasts wanted efficiency and tech. The Daytona's "Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust" (fake engine sounds) satisfied neither group.
Price vs. Range
The Scat Pack starts near $70,000 but only delivers 241 miles of range. Traditional muscle car buyers balked at the price; EV buyers balked at the range.
Customers Were Waiting
Word leaked early that gas-powered Chargers were coming. Enthusiasts simply waited, leaving Daytonas languishing on lots with $25,000+ discounts.
The Quote That Says It All
"With a car so ingrained in muscle car culture—thanks to the Hemi V8—the Charger's reinvention as an all-electric before the gas-fed models arrive was probably going to make brisk sales a long shot."
— MotorTrend
What's Coming: The 2026-2027 Charger Lineup
Dodge isn't abandoning the new Charger platform—they're just giving buyers what they actually want. Here's the expanded lineup:
Charger SIXPACK (Hurricane I-6)
Now AvailableTwin-turbo 3.0L inline-six delivers serious power with better efficiency than the old Hemi. Available in 2-door and 4-door body styles.
Charger Hemi V8
Late 2026Production reportedly restarting at Dundee, Michigan facility. Expect customer deliveries late 2026. Hellcat-level variants possible for 2027.
Charger Daytona Scat Pack (EV)
Still AvailableThe R/T is discontinued for 2026. The Scat Pack remains as the "quickest and most powerful muscle car" but faces heavy dealer incentives.
What About the Banshee?
The Charger Daytona SRT Banshee was supposed to be the ultimate electric muscle car—an 800-volt system with over 1,000 horsepower. According to MoparInsiders, it's now dead.
With Tim Kuniskis (the architect of Dodge's modern muscle revival) now overseeing all North American Stellantis brands, the company is pivoting hard back to internal combustion. The SRT division is being revived, the Hemi is returning across multiple vehicles, and full electrification has clearly "lost momentum."
Should You Wait for the Hemi?
Who Should Buy What:
Our Take
The SIXPACK is genuinely good—MotorWeek just named it their "Best of the Year." The twin-turbo I-6 makes 88% of peak torque at just 2,500 RPM, and testers say it's surprisingly fun. If you must have a V8, wait. But don't sleep on the Hurricane engine—it might win you over.
The Bigger Picture
Dodge's electric stumble isn't unique. Across the industry, automakers are pulling back on aggressive EV timelines as consumer demand softens. Ford delayed its next-gen EVs. GM cut Ultium production. Even Toyota—which bet big on hybrids—is now being seen as prescient rather than behind.
The Charger's multi-energy approach (EV, hybrid, V8 all on one platform) might actually be the smartest play: offer everything and let customers choose. The mistake was leading with the one option customers wanted least.
Sources
- Car and Driver - Dodge Charger Hemi V8 Return Report
- MotorTrend - Charger Daytona Production Pause
- MoparInsiders - Daytona Banshee Cancellation
- Autoblog - Charger Daytona R/T Discontinued
- MotorWeek - 2026 Charger SIXPACK Track Test
- Carscoops - Stellantis EV Strategy Reversal
Not Sure Which Charger Is Right?
Take our quiz and we'll help you find the perfect performance car for your needs.
Take the Free Quiz →