HEMI V8 Isn’t Dead Yet, Dodge to Extend Production Into 2025
The powerful but gas-guzzling HEMI V8 used by Dodge, Jeep and Ram has made headlines since Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares abruptly resigned on December 1, with many pointing their fingers at him saying he was personally and directly responsible for killing the famous engine in a disconnected obsession to find cleaner and more fuel-efficient solutions.
Well, the HEMI isn’t dead just yet. In fact, thanks to the same company that’s now launching a battery-powered Charger and soon a turbocharged six-cylinder variant, it will live on in 2025.
- Also: Jeep’s HEMI V8 Now Just One Step Away From Retirement
- Also: New, Smaller SUV to Replace Dodge Durango in 2027, Report Says
That’s right: due in part to customer feedback and market demand for the existing Durango, Dodge today announced it will extend production of HEMI-equipped Durango models into the 2025 calendar year, including the 5.7-litre version in R/T trim (360 horsepower, 390 lb-ft of torque) and the supercharged 6.2-litre version in SRT Hellcat trim (710 horsepower, 645 lb-ft).
“The Durango and the HEMI engine form a powerful pair, and Dodge will continue to produce the most powerful gas engine SUV on the planet into the 2025 calendar year,” Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said. “It’s the perfect capstone for our celebration of 20 years of HEMI-powered Durango models.”
Dodge first ramped up full production of HEMI-fueled Durango models in 2004. The brand’s 20th anniversary celebration of the power-packed duo has included the introduction of four limited-production special edition: SRT Hellcat Brass Monkey, SRT Hellcat Hammerhead, SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet and R/T 20th Anniversary. All of them are available for ordering at dealerships.
The Durango SRT 392 and its 6.4-litre HEMI V8 are no longer offered, mind you. Customers looking for a more reasonable and cheaper option can still turn to the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 motivating the Durango GT and GT Plus (295 horsepower, 260 lb-ft).
What Next?
Beyond 2025, the assumption is that the Durango will switch to Stellantis’s new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine a.k.a. “Hurricane.” But hold on: according to AutoForecast Solutions, the Durango will end production in Detroit in the summer of 2027. Not only that, but it reportedly will be replaced by a new, smaller SUV to be built in Windsor, Ontario.
The future SUV, AutoForecast Solutions predicts, will be called Stealth. U.S. publication Motor Trend said the same thing a year ago. Another report from Automotive News claims the Durango’s successor will offer five seats instead of seven and ride on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, which can accommodate both internal combustion engines and electric motors.
