Dodge Charger Brings Back 717-HP HEMI Hellcat for 2028

The number is staggering. Dodge Charger is bringing back the 717-horsepower HEMI Hellcat V8, a 6.2-liter monster, according to an internal document from the Stellantis-owned brand. Both sedan and coupe variants will get the Hellcat powertrain paired with an eight-speed ZF 8HP95 automatic transmission.

What Does the Internal Document Reveal About the New Dodge Charger?

The document exposes critical details. Unlike current Charger models equipped with Hurricane engines and all-wheel drive, Hellcat variants are being developed with rear-wheel drive. That shift from AWD to RWD changes the car's character entirely — a return to American muscle roots.

Hurricane Engines Stay… Electric Joins In

The 2028 lineup will retain the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine. Three performance options: the standard version at 420 horsepower, plus high-performance variants at 550 horsepower and 600 horsepower known as Super Bee. These engines will join the electric options for the Charger Daytona. A strange mix of fuel and electricity.

Why Is Dodge Bringing Back the HEMI After Years of Abandoning It?

A logical question. The document didn't reveal details about the 6.2-liter engine, but one possibility is that Dodge will reintroduce the Hellcat HEMI unchanged. That means delivering massive power of 717 horsepower. Muscle car enthusiasts have been waiting for this move since Hellcat production stopped.

Competition in the muscle car market is heating up. The return of the HEMI with this kind of power puts the Dodge Charger in direct confrontation with rivals like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. But full details on pricing and market arrival remain unclear.