The Breakdown: Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said the ‘Banshee is never completely dead.’ He said the brand’s plans did not change after former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares departed the company. The Banshee was rumored to make over 900 horsepower, far more than the Hellcat. Last year, a report surfaced that Dodge had canceled its high-performance Charger Banshee EV—the version rumored to produce over 900 horsepower. Plans allegedly changed after the departure of former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. Now, though, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear is singing a different tune about the high-performance model. In an interview with Canada's Driving, Dodge's head honcho said, "Banshee is never completely dead." While McAlear didn't outright confirm that the model was still in development, it appears the project isn’t as dead as initially reported. McAlear told the publication that the brand didn't "make any changes to the plan" after Tavares’s departure. Dodge Charger Daytona EV "The only thing we've changed is the mix from a production standpoint," McAlear told the publication. Despite Dodge canning the entry-level Charger Daytona R/T EV in May for the 2026 model year, it still sells the 670-horsepower Charger Daytona Scat Pack alongside the combustion-powered models. Tavares' departure didn’t free Dodge—it "allowed us to be more flexible and to get back to offering multiple powertrains...." One powertrain that is likely to return is the Hellcat motor. There are rumors that Dodge is already developing a Hellcat version of its current Charger, but it might no longer be at the top of the lineup. Fingers crossed that the Banshee finds its way into the lineup. Motor1’s Take: While Stellantis’ American brands have embraced their newfound flexibility, like Ram resurrecting the Hemi-powered 1500, the automakers haven’t completely changed course. A 900-horsepower Charger sounds absolutely bonkers, but it can’t be the only high-performance option available if the brand wants to keep its fanbase happy—and that’s what the Hellcat should accomplish. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
