The automotive world has been buzzing with changes at Stellantis since Carlos Tavares’ departure. Amidst strategy shifts and exciting new developments, a surprising rumor has gained traction and now appears to be confirmed: the beloved 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 engine is getting a new lease on life. Initially believed to be phasing out, especially with the rise of the twin-turbocharged Hurricane I6 engines, sources indicate that Dodge Hemi production is not only continuing but is potentially returning to the United States.
Recent online chatter suggested the 5.7-liter HEMI might reappear in the Ram 1500 lineup, despite its anticipated 2025 retirement in favor of the more powerful Hurricane engines. While these whispers circulated, solid confirmation remained elusive – until now.
5.7L HEMI V8 Engine Production to Resume Stateside?
Reliable sources have revealed a development that will thrill Mopar enthusiasts and validate the rumors surrounding the HEMI’s resurgence. Previously manufactured at Stellantis’ Saltillo Engine Plant in Mexico, production of the 5.7-liter HEMI was halted to accommodate increased Hurricane I6 engine output. It was widely assumed that the existing stockpile of 5.7-liter HEMI engines, currently equipping the Dodge Durango, would mark the end of the line for this iconic powerplant.
A Stellantis internal document showing powertrain production facilities, highlighting the previous production site of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine at the Saltillo Engine Plant in Mexico.
However, according to inside information, Stellantis is gearing up to restart 5.7-liter HEMI V8 production, this time at the Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan. This is a significant shift, representing the first time in years that a Mopar V8 engine would be produced within the United States. This development strongly supports the theory that the Dodge HEMI will indeed make its comeback in the Ram 1500.
Before we delve deeper into the implications for Stellantis and the Ram lineup, let’s examine the Dundee Engine Plant’s recent history and its evolving role within Stellantis’ powertrain strategy.
Dundee Engine Plant: From Pentastar to Potential HEMI Production
The Dundee Engine Plant has been a key player in Stellantis’ engine production for years. On February 26, 2019, a $119 million investment was announced to retool the facility for production of the Pentastar V6 engine family. This initiative was part of a larger $4.5 billion investment aimed at modernizing five Michigan plants, projected to create approximately 6,500 jobs. Dundee successfully transitioned to its new role, commencing Pentastar engine production in November 2019.
A 3.6-liter Pentastar PUG V6 engine pictured at the Dundee Engine Plant, showcasing the plant’s existing engine production capabilities.
Transitioning to Hybrid Technology and Next-Gen Engines
Dundee’s evolution continued as Stellantis announced a further $99 million investment across three North American plants on August 1, 2022, to introduce a cutting-edge 1.6-liter, I-4 turbocharged engine into production. A substantial portion, nearly $83 million, was allocated to transform the Dundee Engine Complex into the final assembly point for this new powertrain. This next-generation engine, featuring direct fuel injection and hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) compatibility, is based on a European design. It is slated to power two upcoming North American HEV models, including the next-generation Jeep® Cherokee. This marked Stellantis’ initial foray into HEV engine production in the region, with production scheduled to begin in early 2025.
The 2025 Jeep® Cherokee Limited 4×4, one of the upcoming North American HEV models expected to utilize the new engine assembled at the Dundee Engine Plant.
Legacy Engines and a Glimpse into the Future
As Dundee prepared for its future in hybrid engine production and battery components, it also marked the end of an era for some long-standing engine lines. The final 2.4-liter Tigershark I4 engine was produced on March 16, 2023, and the last 3.6-liter Pentastar Upgrade V6 engine rolled off the line on August 18, 2023. These milestones signified Stellantis’ shift towards new powertrain technologies.
Electrification and Dundee’s Expanding Role
Further solidifying Dundee’s pivotal role in Stellantis’ future, on September 11, 2024, an additional investment exceeding $73 million was announced to further retool the plant. This investment will equip Dundee to assemble, weld, and test battery trays for the innovative STLA Frame architecture and machine front and rear beams crucial for the upcoming STLA Large architecture. This latest development underscored Dundee’s growing importance in the company’s broader electrification strategy.
The 2025 Ram 1500 showcasing the STLA Frame Architecture, for which Dundee Engine Plant will be producing battery trays, highlighting the plant’s move into EV component manufacturing.
V8 Engine Production Returns to American Soil?
The potential restart of Dodge HEMI V8 engine production at Dundee marks a significant moment. If confirmed, it would be the first time in nearly 16 years that Chrysler has built a V8 engine in the United States. The Dundee Engine Plant is ideally situated for 5.7-liter HEMI production, being close to the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (where the Ram 1500 is manufactured) and the Jefferson Assembly Plant (home of the Dodge Durango). This proximity is logistically advantageous and further strengthens the credibility of the HEMI V8’s return to the Ram 1500 and its likely production shift to Dundee.
The Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant in Dundee, Michigan, potentially the new production site for the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, bringing V8 production back to the United States.
The Future Outlook for the 5.7-liter HEMI Engine
While the news of a potential Dodge HEMI comeback is exciting, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations. It’s unlikely that the 5.7-liter HEMI will expand to models where it wasn’t previously offered. The Durango and Ram 1500 are the most probable candidates, with a possible, though less likely, return to the Grand Cherokee. Rumors suggest the Grand Cherokee might drop the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 in favor of the updated turbocharged 2.0-liter GME-T4 EVO I4 engine for 2026.
The 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8 engine, an iconic powerplant potentially making a comeback in Dodge and Ram vehicles with production returning to the US.
Sources indicate that the HEMI V8 could return to the 2026 Ram 1500 as the base engine, positioned below the Hurricane I6 engines in lower trim levels. We might also see “HEMI Special Editions” emerge. Production is anticipated to commence in the third quarter of this year.
Enthusiasts yearning for a V8 in the new Dodge Charger may be disappointed, as the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is not expected to be compatible with the vehicle’s engineering. Furthermore, in terms of performance, it would be surpassed by the Hurricane I6 engines, potentially creating an awkward positioning within the powertrain options.
The potential revival of Dodge HEMI production in the US is a significant development for Mopar enthusiasts. It signals that despite the automotive industry’s rapid shift towards electrification, the roar of the V8 engine may still have a place in the future of Dodge and Ram vehicles.
