Like other American carmakers, Dodge’s relation to the V-8 engine is an inseparable one. The two go hand in hand. It is the law! With CAFE regulations severely loosened, burbling V-8s are expected to make a resurgence. Ford never really gave up on the classic formula, and Dodge, after a failed attempt at establishing the electric Charger as “the new normal”, seems to be getting back on track.
There have been rumors circulating about the Cuda nameplate returning as a Dodge (since the Plymouth brand officially went defunct in 2001), and FCA even filed trademarks for the Cuda name back in 2017. Back in 2021, there were even reports that a pre-production model was shown to a secret, dealers-only meeting, which also confirmed that the V-8 will live on.
The biggest confirmation yet
Now, there are more hints than ever that the Cuda name will return. The company is infamous for its easter eggs, and judging by what we see on the Dodge Charger portal, I think the Cuda will be a version of the model slotted above the Sixpack. It is also expected to be the only production Charger of the new generation, to feature a V-8 engine.
In the portal, we see a mystery car under wraps, which features a bulging hood with a large center air intake, similar to the old Charger Hellcat. A power-bulge hood with a vent is a universal signal for a big V-8, usually supercharged. Recently, Dodge unveiled the Charger “Hustle Stuff” Drag Pak, which features a supercharged V-8, but will be highly limited and not road-legal.
There is also an aggressive fish logo on the wall behind the “mystery car”, in the same style as the Hellcat and Demon logos. Another easter egg is the sign that says “Vegas Race Park”, which is where Dodge unveiled some of its most high-performance models, including the Demon 170.
The more interesting bit for me is the clock that shows 10:12. This could be one of two things - a quarter-mile time or a hint at the horsepower figure of this new Cuda. There is still a lot we don’t know, but early rumors point to a car that will be much lighter than the current Charger, which, depending on the spec, can tip the scales at up to 4,816 pounds. I am not even going to talk about the Charger Daytona EV and its 5,800-plus figure.
The new Cuda is expected to be based on the STLA Large modular platform, but with a shorter wheelbase than the Charger. The original Plymouth Cuda was always meant to be a lighter, more performance-oriented Muscle car, and Dodge will, reportedly, aim to do the same for the new generation.
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We may already know which V-8 will be powering the Cuda
Dodge recently unveiled the Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak - a race-only variant that will be limited to just 50 units. A 5.8-liter powers the dragstrip-bound Muscle car, supercharged Hemi V-8, pushing 1,000 horsepower and 900 pound-feet, thanks in part to a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger on top. The car is reportedly built for sub-eight-second quarter-mile passes.
There is also the chance that the Cuda would feature a version of the Hellephant crate engine, which packs 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet. I think the Cuda will be more about handling than sheer horsepower, given it will be a lighter model, but there will likely be multiple versions, with at least one making big power.
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The competition isn’t sleeping
Chevrolet doesn’t have a Camaro anymore, though I suspect, with the latest developments, there is now carte blanche for a return. The Corvette ZR1X has become a 1,250-horsepower hypercar, while Ford has the track-focused Mustang GTD and, more recently, the Mustang Dark Horse SC. Then, there is the Ford Performance supercharged package, in case you have a regular GT or Dark Horse, and want to turn it into an 800-horsepower tire-shredder.
Big horsepower has not gone anywhere when it comes to the big American three. It just went on a short vacation. The 5.8-liter supercharged V-8 seen on the Drag Pack is the smallest high-performance Hemi V-8 seen in recent times. This will likely make any production model featuring a version of this engine more compliant with EPA regulations, which are still in effect, albeit in a severely restricted manner.
I, for once, would love to see a more lightweight iteration of the current Dodge Charger powered by a V-8, and it seems that’s the role the new Cuda will take. Now that we know for sure that a new Cuda is coming, what are your thoughts on it? What features would you want this new model to have? Feel free to share in the comments below.
Image source: Stellantis
About the author
Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.
Other relevant experience to the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Experience
- 2012-2017 and 2025-Present: Insurance Advisor - ANG Univers and Generali Insurance Group
- 2016-2016: Car salesman at Toyota dealership
- 2014-Present: Automotive journalist, blogger, vlogger, test driver
Education
- Bachelor's degree in International Economic Relations
- Master's degree in Marketing
- Master's degree in Media and Communications
Dimitar Angelov has been quoted in the following publications:
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