Ever since Dodge first introduced the new Charger, one question has been on everyone’s mind: will it come with a V8 under the hood? Although the brand initially said no, Dodge is now seriously considering equipping its new muscle car with a Hemi V8 — especially given the overwhelming demand.
In fact, you can technically already get your hands on a 2026 Dodge Charger powered by a V8. The American automaker and its SRT performance division have teamed up with Riley Technologies to fit the beast with a massive V8 engine.
Built for the Quarter Mile
The Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak is a machine purpose-built for drag racing. As you might expect, this is a race-only car and not street-legal. It’s been fully prepped for NHRA competition with extensive modifications, including an ultra-strong carbon fiber roll cage. Carbon fiber is also used throughout the body to help reduce weight while maintaining rigidity.
Now, let’s get to what really matters — the engine. Unsurprisingly, Dodge’s performance division chose its 5.8-liter V8 equipped with a 3.0-liter supercharger, the same setup found in the track-only version of the Dodge Challenger. The official power figures haven’t been released yet, but several sources suggest the output could exceed 1,500 horsepower.
The car will also feature a three-speed automatic transmission and Mickey Thompson drag tires, which should allow it to complete the ¼ mile in around seven seconds.
An Exclusive Beast
It won’t shock anyone to learn that the Dodge Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak will be limited to just 50 units. If you’re lucky enough to secure one, you’ll need to pay $234,995 USD for Dodge to deliver the car to you. However, chances are all units have already been spoken for — which has pretty much become the norm for this kind of machine.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
