In a shocking turn of events, Dodge has officially killed the Charger Banshee, the highly anticipated, all-electric, 800-plus-horsepower muscle car that was supposed to carry the Hellcat legacy into the future.
Yes, the Banshee — once positioned as the halo model of the new electric Charger lineup — is dead before it even hit the streets. But the real story goes far deeper than a canceled EV. The decision sheds light on the shifting realities of today’s performance market and hints at a surprising future for Dodge’s muscle cars.
⚡ What the Charger Banshee Was Meant to Be
When Dodge first teased the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept in 2022, it was hailed as the rebirth of American performance. The Banshee would have been the top-tier 800-volt electric variant, sitting above the 400-volt Scat Pack and R/T models in the lineup.
The numbers were expected to be wild:
- Over 800 horsepower
- 0–60 mph in the low 2-second range
- A multi-speed transmission for a more analog driving experience
- The “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust”, an air-powered sound system that let this EV roar like a Hellcat
- An 800-volt charging system for ultra-fast recharge times and sustained performance
In short, the Banshee was designed to prove that an EV could still have the attitude, noise, and intensity of a traditional muscle car. It was meant to be the ultimate evolution of Dodge power, a Hellcat for the next era.
💸 The Real Reason It Was Canceled
So why pull the plug on such an ambitious project?
According to multiple insider reports, the Banshee’s engineering costs spiraled out of control. Developing a unique 800-volt system exclusively for the Banshee proved too expensive for a single halo model. Unlike Porsche or Hyundai, which can spread the cost of similar systems across several vehicles, Dodge was creating a one-off powertrain — and that made it financially unsustainable.
Couple that with a cooling EV market, and the timing couldn’t have been worse. Industry-wide, high-performance EVs are struggling to find buyers. Cars like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT are facing slow sales, while many customers who would’ve once bought a $100K-plus Dodge muscle car still prefer gasoline and hybrid power.
As a result, Stellantis reportedly decided to pause the Banshee project indefinitely and refocus on electric models that share components with other vehicles — like the Charger Scat Pack EV — which uses the more affordable 400-volt architecture.
🔌 The Charger Scat Pack Steps Up — For Now
With the Banshee gone, the 670-horsepower Charger Scat Pack EV becomes the new top dog in Dodge’s electric lineup. It’s no slouch — with a 0–60 time of 3.3 seconds and dual-motor all-wheel drive, it’s already one of the fastest muscle cars Dodge has ever produced.
But even Dodge loyalists know this isn’t the endgame. The Charger name has always stood for overkill, and there’s still an appetite for something louder, faster, and more extreme — whether it’s powered by gas, electricity, or both.
🔥 Could a Hybrid “Hellcat Successor” Be Next?
Here’s where things get really interesting. The death of the Banshee might have quietly cleared the path for a new gas-powered or hybrid king.
Insiders are hinting that Dodge engineers are experimenting with a high-performance hybrid version of the twin-turbo “Hurricane” inline-six engine — the same powerplant already used in the Jeep Wagoneer S and the new Dodge Charger R/T.
The idea? Combine that internal-combustion engine with electric motor assist to create a 900-horsepower hybrid monster that blends instant electric torque with the ferocity of boost-fed gasoline power.
If true, this setup would offer:
- The visceral sound and emotion EVs can’t replicate
- The off-the-line torque of an electric drivetrain
- A nod to efficiency that helps Dodge meet emissions standards
This rumored model could become the true successor to the Hellcat, balancing electrification with old-school power — and reclaiming Dodge’s reputation as the maker of the most outrageous cars on the road.
⚙️ Dodge’s Broader Shift
This move also aligns with Stellantis’ changing strategy under new leadership. CEO Antonio Filosa has already slowed down the company’s full-EV rollout and reintroduced gas and hybrid powertrains to key brands.
For example:
- The Ram 1500 HEMI is returning for 2026 after public demand.
- Jeep is launching hybrid versions of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee alongside EVs.
- And Chrysler’s all-EV crossover has been delayed for market reassessment.
By backing away from an all-electric approach, Dodge gains the flexibility to appeal to both muscle-car traditionalists and new buyers who want modern tech.
The cancellation of the Banshee isn’t a retreat — it’s a strategic realignment.
🏁 The Future of the Brotherhood of Muscle
Let’s face it: the Banshee was an incredible vision, but maybe it was too much, too soon.
EVs are evolving, and so is the definition of a muscle car. The Hellcat era may be over, but that doesn’t mean Dodge’s muscle legacy is gone. It just means it’s transforming — again.
If the next halo model truly becomes a 900-horsepower hybrid Charger, Dodge might not just save the muscle car — it could reinvent it all over again.
Until then, the Scat Pack EV carries the torch, and enthusiasts everywhere wait to see what the next roar from Dodge will sound like — electric, hybrid, or both.
