In an effort to retain customers, Stellantis’ new CEO confirmed the return of the beloved Hemi V8 – with strings attached, of course.
Stellantis, in case you haven’t heard, had to rush to fill the CEO role after Carlos Tavares abruptly resigned from the company due to “increasingly different views” between him and the board of directors. Tavares was the main force driving the extinction of the Hemi V8, while others wanted to keep it in production, reported The Auto Wire.
Not unlike Jeep, a brand under the reign of Stellantis, the company is listening to the demands of customers and bringing it back. Jeep recently brought back the eight-speed transmission for the V6 engines, thanks to customer demand. However, there’s a catch.
The Hemi V8 will continue to power the Dodge Durango for one model year: 2025. A press release from the automaker read the decision was made “due in part to market demand and customer feedback.” The initial decision to cut the V8 was due to a “lack of sales,” yet V8 Mustang sales were steady.
The rumor mill is alive and well, with some speculating that the Hemi V8 can be pressured under the hoods of other models if customers are loud enough.
Of course, people can still buy a V8 from Dodge
If you’re building your own muscle car and want a V8 from Dodge, you can still buy one directly from Mopar in the form of the 6.2-liter Hellcat Crate Engine kit. Of course, it costs a whopping $17,925 normally, but you can buy one now for $16,827 just in time for Christmas!
Even the description on Mopar Online Parts reads as though the offering of the crate engine kit to consumers is a favor.
“You’ve asked for it and Direct Connection delivered,” reads the description. It comes with a 12-month, the site can guarantee fitment in your car, and comes with a water pump, flywheel, and clutch, too.
