Dodge Says the Hellcat’s 700+ HP V8 Is Almost Dead – the Future Is Electric
Watching Dodge give just about everything over 700 hp with the Hellcat’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 has been fun. However, the future of these Dodge Hellcat models and muscle cars, in general, is seriously under question thanks to electrification.
According to CNBC via CarBuzz, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis believes that the next “Golden Age” of muscle cars could be electric. As a result, the Hellcat and its powerful V8 are officially in trouble.
Why will these Dodge Hellcat models eventually disappear?
Dodge has resisted the trend as other carmakers move to downsize engines to create fuel-efficient power. Instead, the American carmaker has continuously developed its Hellcat models, giving them infinite power in the process. However, according to CNBC, Dodge believes that Hellcat models will likely die off due to tightening fuel-efficiency requirements. Additionally, CNBC’s report cites the arrival of electric vehicles as a contributing factor.
Kuniskis reportedly told CNBC, “The days of an iron block supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 are numbered.” On a positive note, Kuniskis added, “They’re absolutely numbered because of all the compliance costs. But the performance that those vehicles generate is not numbered.”
Thankfully, it seems that these Hellcat models will likely stick around for quite some time. However, they will likely evolve to become hybrid or fully-electric in the relatively near future.
The most important factor of this Dodge Hellcat story involves the use of electric powertrains. While most EVs prioritize efficiency and cost-saving, Kuniskis told CNBC that this technology has great performance potential. As a result, Dodge’s CEO remains optimistic that a second “Golden Age” of muscle cars is underway thanks to electrification.
Will all muscle cars eventually go electric?
While it may be striking to hear that Dodge Hellcat muscle cars will likely go electric, others will likely follow. Not long ago, we covered a story that reported that the Ford Mustang would go fully electric by 2027.
The Chevy Camaro’s future is far from certain, leaving us with doubts of what GM will do next. However, GM recently announced that it would stop producing internal combustion models by 2035. As a result, the electrified future and the end of muscle cars as we know them are relatively near.
However, it is worth noting that Dodge does not currently produce any electric vehicles. In contrast, both Ford and Chevy already offer EVs in their current lineup. As a result, the technology to produce electric muscle cars is already accessible to them.
According to CNBC, Kuniskis reportedly mentioned that Dodge plans to offer electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles but did not specify exactly when. CNBC reports that these electrified vehicles could come from the arrival of Stellantis, Dodge’s new parent company.
When will these changes come into play?
Although we don’t know specifically when these Dodge Hellcat or regular models will go electric, Stellantis already gave us a clue. According to CNBC, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares mentioned that every new vehicle launched from now until 2022 will offer an electrified variant. While Dodge rarely launches all-new models, if it chose to do so, it would likely offer an electrified powertrain as an option.
As of writing, there is no official date by which the Dodge Hellcat and its wonderful V8 will get the boot. However, given Stellantis’ plans and Kuniskis’ vision for Dodge, it is now officially just a matter of time.
