The current Dodge Charger is selling poorly, and many people believe that the only thing that can save it is a return to Hemi V8 power. Back in May, Stellantis offered the world a look at the planned future of the company’s American brands, and that future included a Hellcat-powered Dodge Charger. However, since we learned that the company planned to get back to building Hemi-powered muscle cars, there has not been any new information from the automaker.
Fortunately, the team at Automotive News got ahold of information that reveals some key details about the new Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, including its expected production timeline and planned production numbers. The good news is that Dodge is reportedly planning to build enough Hellcat-powered Chargers that it shouldn’t be hard for prospective buyers to find one. The bad news is that the supercharged Hemi isn’t coming back quite as soon as we had hoped.
The Automotive News Report
This information comes from “a planning document reviewed by Automotive News”, and the document reportedly contains key details about the return of the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Most significantly, production of the supercharged muscle car is slated to begin near the end of 2027 as a 2028 model year vehicle. Automotive News also explained that Stellantis informed key suppliers that the company plans to build around 12,000 examples of the 2028 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.
It should be noted that when Automotive News reached out to Stellantis for comment on the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat’s launch timing, the company called the details “purely speculation/rumor” and said it “will not comment on future product strategy.”
In other words, there is no official confirmation that we will see a 2028 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat roll off the assembly line in late 2027. However, based on the information we have right now, the timing makes sense.
Why a 2028 Model Year Makes Sense
While the 2027 calendar year is still a few months away, many 2027 models are already on sale. We have not even seen the next Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat yet. If the reported late-2027 production timing holds, a 2028 model-year designation makes sense. Production timing also does not guarantee when customers will take delivery.
The better choice for Dodge at this point is to hold off on the Charger SRT Hellcat’s debut until 2027 and introduce it as a 2028 model year vehicle. That could allow the company to begin selling and delivering the supercharged muscle cars in the fall or winter of 2027.
What the Next Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Debut Might Entail
Dodge has used New York to introduce major performance models before. The 2018 Challenger SRT Demon made its public debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show. Based on the Automotive News report about the arrival of the 2028 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, we could see another high-performance Mopar debuting in New York City. Dodge has not announced a reveal location.
The 2027 New York International Auto Show is scheduled for late March and early April. If Stellantis picks the NYIAS as the debut location for the return of the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat in March or April, that would allow the automaker to show off its newest supercharged muscle car at events throughout the summer, such as Roadkill Nights or the Woodward Dream Cruise. A spring debut would also give the company plenty of time to prepare for production to begin in the fall of 2027, potentially allowing the first units to hit dealerships in late fall or early winter.
For those who don’t recall, Dodge introduced the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat in May 2014, followed by the Charger SRT Hellcat that August. Both reached production later that year. That history shows how a reveal and production launch can fit into the same calendar year, although it does not establish the schedule for the next Charger.
Ideally, we would see the 2028 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat debut at the 2027 New York International Auto Show, followed by a big public display at Roadkill Nights, the Woodward Dream Cruise, or both. A spring reveal could build excitement ahead of the reported late-2027 production start. Again, the New York debut is our speculation and is not part of the Automotive News report. Horsepower and all-wheel drive have not been confirmed.
What to Expect from the 2028 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
The most important aspect of the expected Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is its supercharged Hemi V8. We do not know how much power the new car will offer, but the 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT provides an exciting benchmark: 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi. The Rumble Bee SRT also offers 777 horsepower. We would love to see the Charger match or beat those numbers, but Dodge has not announced its output.
The biggest question is whether that supercharged Hemi will be mated to an advanced all-wheel-drive system, similar to the rest of the modern Dodge Charger lineup. Right now, all new Chargers, whether electric or powered by the Hurricane I6, come standard with all-wheel drive. If Dodge equips the new Charger with almost 800 horsepower, nearly 700 lb-ft of torque, and all-wheel drive, it will be an absolute monster.
One of the biggest limiting factors with the previous Hellcat cars was traction. All-wheel drive could help put the power down, particularly when launching from a stop. Whether the next Hellcat is quicker will also depend on its weight, tires, gearing and final power output. AWD could improve acceleration on slippery surfaces, but it would not eliminate the need for suitable tires or careful driving.
Click here for our longer piece on what to expect from the return of the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.
Higher Production Could Limit Dealer Markups
Finally, if Dodge really does plan to build around 12,000 examples of the next Charger SRT Hellcat, that is encouraging news for prospective buyers. A larger supply could give shoppers more choices than a tightly limited production run. The first cars could still command dealer markups, and a production target is no guarantee of either availability or pricing.
For buyers willing to wait, the important question will be how supply compares with demand once deliveries begin. If inventory builds, shoppers could gain negotiating room. Patience may get you a monster Mopar muscle car at a better price, but we will need actual production, inventory and transaction data before calling it a bargain.
