With rivals Chevrolet and SRT continually upgrading their potent V8 powerplants, with SRT’s latest engine found in the SRT Viper producing 640hp from its ten cylinders, the Chrysler Group has been forced to fight back and is currently developing a new supercharged Hemi V8 engine.
Currently codenamed the ‘hellcat’, the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine will reportedly produce over 600hp and is likely to make its debut in the next generation Dodge Challenger as well as a selection of other Chrysler vehicles in the coming years.
Seemingly confirming the news further was the fact that a spokesman from the Chrysler Group refused to comment about the upcoming, range-topping V8 engine.
While it’s unclear what Dodge Challenger model the new ‘hellcat’ 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine will debut in, but it’ll likely be a brand new variant of the popular Dodge Challenger aimed at competing with the 550hp+ 2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
At the moment, it’s believed that the current Dodge Challenger will remain on sale until 2014 before it’s replaced by the next-generation Challenger likely to be the first to adopt the larger V8 powerplant.
The package has been described as a “last hurrah” for the company before fuel economy standards limit horsepower outputs for American manufacturers.
The engine will be built alongside the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8s currently produced by Chrysler.
[Via Automotive News]
