Stellantis just dropped jaws with a blockbuster $10 billion investment in its US ops, doubling down from an earlier $5B pledge, and the buzz is all about reviving that Hemi V8 growl in a new Dodge muscle car. I caught wind of this via a fresh Bloomberg report and couldn’t help but smile – it’s like the prodigal son returning, especially after the Charger Banshee EV got the axe. With new CEO Antonio Filosa steering the ship, this isn’t just cash; it’s a full-throated pivot from all-electric zealotry back to the combustion chaos that made Dodge a legend. Let’s unpack the plan, the V8 whispers, and why it could shake up 2026 like a Hellcat burnout.

Stellantis’ $10B Power Play: Factories, Jobs, and a Muscle Car Mandate

Picture this: Stellantis, the mega-group juggling Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler, is about to unveil a $10 billion splash in American soil – that’s $5B fresh on top of prior commitments, aimed at firing up shuttered plants in Illinois and Michigan while adding hundreds of jobs. The Belvidere, IL facility (idled since 2023) could hum again, cranking out next-gen rides, while Warren, MI gets a tech infusion for smarter assembly lines. It’s not altruism; it’s survival – after a brutal 2024 with slumping sales and EV flops, Filosa’s blueprint is all about reclaiming US dominance where profits used to flow like exhaust.

This cash bonanza isn’t scattered; it’s laser-focused on Stellantis’ golden geese: Jeep (reviving the Cherokee SUV), Ram (bringing back V8 1500 trucks), and Dodge (hello, muscle car revival). It’s a hedge against tariffs (up 25% on some imports) and a wink to the Trump admin, echoing how rivals like Toyota and Hyundai are pouring billions stateside too. But for us enthusiasts, the real spark? Dodge’s potential V8 encore – a move that’s got forums lighting up like drag strips.

Dodge’s Electric Detour Ends: From Banshee Bust to Hemi Hype

Remember when Dodge teased the Charger Daytona EV with its synthetic “Fratzonic” exhaust and 900+ hp dreams? Yeah, that got quietly shelved in mid-2025 amid cooling EV demand and dealer pushback. Under ex-CEO Carlos Tavares’ EV-or-bust push, Dodge axed V8s across the board – Challengers and Chargers went inline-six or battery-only, leaving fans howling. But with Filosa (a Fiat-Chrysler vet) at the wheel since July, the tide’s turning: gas guzzlers are back, baby.

Enter the $10B lifeline, earmarked for “new Dodge V8 muscle car” development – likely a Charger coupe/sedan on the STLA Large platform, swapping Hurricane I6s for a reskinned Hemi V8. Dodge boss Matt McAlear hinted at it last year: “A V8 will fit under the hood.” Tim Kuniskis, Hellcat dad and new SRT head, is reportedly tweaking the V8 for 2026 – think 6.2-liter supercharged fury, 700+ hp, and that exhaust crackle no synth can fake. It’s a love letter to the Bros who crave burnout therapy, not app updates.

V8 Dreams: What a New Dodge Muscle Car Could Look Like

Speculation’s running hot – this V8 Charger (or Challenger successor?) might drop as a 2026 halo, blending retro cues with modern bones. Imagine: Hemi V8 tuned for 500-800 hp, AWD option for all-weather launches, and interiors nodding to the ’69’s glory days. Stellantis‘ cash could fund a dedicated muscle line, reopening lines for V8 machining while EVs like the Durango E get side-eye.

It’s echoing broader trends: Ram’s 1500 Hemi revival, Porsche’s V8 hang-on in AMGs, even Toyota’s GR Supra flirting with V8 swaps.