It’s no shock to be told, in 2021, that in the near-future gasoline engines will start to disappear from the landscape. Nor is it much of a surprise to hear that V8s will be the first to go. But when you hear it from the CEO of an automaker that still relies heavily on those big guns, you sit up and pay heed.
That's what happened last week when Dodge big boss Tim Kuniskis told CNBC that the days of supercharged V8 engines are numbered. Our first thoughts race to the Hellcat engine, but that includes all strengths of 8-cylinder units.
Not that performance cars are going anywhere – they’ll be relying for their power on electric powertrains, which are more than up to the task. But the feeling will never be the same.
It’s worth noting that the disappearance of Hellcat engines and others like it won’t happen because of flagging demand. The models that currently use them, the Challenger and Charger, continue to sell very well. Kuniskis pointed out that over the past five years, his company sold more than 50,000 vehicles equipped with this engine.
Instead, he attributes the eventual demise of the V8 engines to upgrade costs, particularly the need to modify them to comply with new and upcoming emissions regulations. We need only think of the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. It is in the Dodge lineup this year, but it won’t be next year – and the only reason is that in 2022 it will no longer comply with the rules that will be applicable to it.
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Engine of the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat | Photo: Auto123
In his interview with CNBC, Kuniskis also said that Dodge will continue to focus on "American muscle" products under the ownership of new parent company Stellantis.
“The whole world is going to shift to electrification,” he said. “The whole world’s going (to) get there and when it does, the price point of that technology is going to come down.”
This is not the first time we've heard the words electrification and Dodge spoken together. In 2019, Mike Manley, then head of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and now head of the North American division of Stellantis, suggested that the engines of the next Challenger and Charger would be partially electrified. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares also said that all new models launched by the company will feature some form of electric-powertrain technology.
The combustion engine really seems destined for extinction, whether that thrills you or not. Recently, GM announced that it would no longer sell gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035. Nissan has set a similar goal, and several American states are moving to legislate along those lines. Here in Canada, Quebec has already announced its intentions to move in this direction.
Of course, there will always be the used and collectors’ car markets, but nothing will be the same anymore. If you want to take advantage of a V8 engine, now's the time to think about it.
The irony in all this is that the money raked in by automakers like Dodge with its Hellcat engine, or Ford and GM with their sales of SUVs and pickup trucks with V8 engines (there are more V8s in the lineup at GM than at Ford) helps finance the electric shift these companies have to pay for. In a sense, these V8-powered beasts are paying to make possible their own demise.
2021 Ram 2500 Power Wagon | Photo: Ram
FAQs
It's no shock to be told, in 2021, that in the near-future gasoline engines will start to disappear from the landscape. Nor is it much of a surprise to hear that V8s will be the first to go.
Is Dodge discontinuing all V8 engines? ›
In a move that has American muscle car enthusiasts engaging in passionate discussions and debates, Dodge has officially announced the closure of its production of HEMI V8 engines by the end of 2024.
Are they phasing out V8 engines? ›
Major automakers like Dodge, Jeep Ram, and Chrysler have announced they will end production of their V8 engines by the end of 2023. However, Land Rover is going against the grain with their recent announcement of the Defender 130 V8.
What does the 8 of a V8 vehicle engine refer to? ›
Whereas, a V8 means an 8-cylinder engine. But, you may wonder what the 'V' means in V6 and V8. The 'V' represents the way cylinders are arranged in your engine. V-type engines have cylinders placed in a V-like shape, or to put it the other way, in two equal rows.
Is Ford getting rid of the V8? ›
Good News: Ford's V8 Mustang Isn't Going Anywhere Just Yet | Carscoops.
Will the 5.7 Hemi be available in 2024? ›
The 2024 Ram 1500 offers an available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, which stands as a testament to power and efficiency.
Will the 6.4 Hemi be available in 2024? ›
The 6.4L V8 Heavy-Duty HEMI® engine, standard in every 2024 RAM 2500 Rebel®, ensures you have the power you need. It's this blend of strength and elegance that makes the 2024 RAM 2500 Rebel® a perfect fit for Texas.
Why is Ram getting rid of the 5.7 Hemi? ›
DETROIT, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Stellantis (STLAM. MI) , opens new tab will offer a previously undisclosed plug-in hybrid model of its Ram pickup truck, called Ramcharger, and phase out V-8 Hemi engines as part of its strategy to cut the CO2 emissions of its North American fleet.
Is Ram getting rid of the 5.7 Hemi? ›
With the 2025 Ram 1500 launch, Stellantis is retiring the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine option and replacing it with its all-new Hurricane family of V6 engines. But don't pout about the loss of pistons too long. The new engines offer more power and torque and improved fuel efficiency, the company says.
What engine will replace the 5.7 Hemi? ›
As a replacement for the Ram 1500's 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, the Hurricane delivers an additional 25 horses and 41 lb-ft. The optional Hurricane HO version is rated at 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft, adding 145 ponies and 111 lb-ft over the V8.
1: Ferrari 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Ladies and gentlemen, the finest engine of the last 20 years is Ferrari's current turbocharged masterpiece. In various forms, this 3.9-litre twin-turbo unit equips all of Ferrari's V8-engined cars. We pay tribute to it by showing you the latest, maddest iteration of it: the 488 Pista.
What is the most popular V8 engine? ›
Probably the most famous V8 in the world is the GM small block, specifically the LS family of engines that's been in everything from pick-up trucks to Corvettes and even boutique supercars, for the last 25 years.
What is the smallest V8 engine ever made? ›
In 1975, the 2.0 L (122 cu in) engine in the Ferrari 208 GT4 became the smallest production V8 engine ever produced. The model lineage of mid-engined V8 road cars continues to the 2019–present Ferrari F8 Tributo. Five-valve-per-cylinder versions were used from 1994 until 2005 in the Ferrari F355 and Ferrari 360.
Why is Dodge discontinuing the Hemi V8? ›
Hemi V8 engine makers, Stellantis announced that they will discontinue this specific engine by the end of 2023 because of new emission laws and overall industry evolution.
Will Chevy keep making V8 engines? ›
General Motors quietly backpedals on 'All-Electric Future' mantra. It looks like V-8 power will remain an option on select General Motors models for the next quarter-century. The company announced an $854 million investment on an all-new, sixth-generation small-block V-8 engine.
Is GM making a new V8? ›
GM might be pushing hard into electrification, but it's not done with internal combustion yet. Last week, the company announced an $854 million investment into a variety of its plants to build the sixth-generation small-block V-8.
What will Dodge replace the V8 with? ›
But the biggest news comes in the form of drivetrain changes, with Ram's venerable V8 Hemi engine line being replaced by a 3.0-lier, twin-turbocharged “Hurricane” inline six. For traditionalists who love the power — and exhaust note — of a V8 engine, it's not easy saying goodbye to the Hemi.
What engines is Dodge discontinuing? ›
The brand that brought you nearly two decades of tire-smokin' good times announced in August of last year that 2023 would mark the final year of production for its Hemi-V-8-powered muscle cars. Dodge then offered a preview of its electric future: the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept.
