Do you remember the days of roaring engines, burnout smoke, and unapologetic American muscle? Great news—SRT is back! Stellantis is bringing back its beloved Street & Racing Technology brand, and kicking off power and performance once again. Whether you're a track enthusiast on the weekends, or you just love the sound of a good, old-fashioned V8 rumble, this is Stellantis saying, "We’re listening."
Why SRT is Back at Stellantis
After FCA and PSA Group merged to create Stellantis, the American fan favorite known as SRT eventually took the back seat to the other brands. However, SRT fans did not forget about it and they have never stopped asking for it, and it is back for good - all with the intent to renew the love for high performance vehicles while coming together as performance-minded engineers from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.
Here are the potential takeaways:
- All future performance vehicles will be developed as an SRT brand.
- Stellantis is looking to establish a better connection to its performance-car American consumers.
- Expect bold, fast, and loud modern iterations to enter the market.
This is a major play to leverage brand nostalgic nostalgia while having a new progressive edge.
Tim Kuniskis Is At The Helm of The SRT Ship
If there is one person whom muscle car enthusiasts can rely on, it is Tim Kuniskis. Kuniskis led projects for the Hellcat, Demon, and Charger Redeye, and then took a break to recharge, but now he is back at Stellantis in charge of Ram and leading the entire SRT rebirth.
Why it Matters:
- Kuniskis knows gearheads and what they want.
- He openly admitted to mistakes, such as when he let the HEMI V8 die.
- Fans can have faith in their process when they want true muscle instead of watered-down crossovers.
As he put it: "We are getting the band back together." When they do get together, they are cranking it louder.
What SRT’s Return Means for Future Vehicles
This will not simply be a nameplate return; this is a performance strategy. The full-blown SRT team will be responsible for engineering across all of Stellantis' American brands. This means better cooperation, more clever innovation, and possibly more exciting vehicles in the pipeline.
Here's what you can expect:
- More SRT models within Dodge, Ram, Jeep, and Chrysler
- Confirmed return of Direct Connection - a factory-approved line of performance parts
- Ram will join the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026
- Expanded efforts to support motorsports and drag racing programs
- Rumors that electrified SRT models are on the horizon
Whether it be gas, electric, or hybrid - SRT wants to be the brand that gets your adrenaline pumping.
A Letter From The Heart to Muscle Car Fans
Let’s face it; this is a culmination of more than just strategic thinking. This has soul! Rather than making a corporate statement, when Matthew Kuniskis appeared in the recent Ram commercial where he stated “we got it wrong,” it felt like a real apology to fans who have loved the sound of a V8 engine since they were kids.
Why fans are ecstatic right now:
- The HEMI V8 is allegedly returning to Ram
- Stellantis has fully embraced performance rather than pulling back
- Now SRT isn’t just for Dodge; the SRT brand means performance for anybody who loves to go fast
This is for you if you have ever made the decision to take the long way home just to hear your engine bounce off the walls of a tunnel.
Spec Sheet: What We Know So Far
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Conclusion
SRT returning isn't just about bringing back a badge, it's about re-establishing an identity that speaks to car lovers across the United States. Stellantis is sending a loud and clear indication to everyone that performance still exists, and they're ready to ignite that enthusiasm starting right now. Tim Kuniskis is back in the driver's seat and already making bold proclamations with "more performance than ever before", this is not a one time renouncement, but rather the start of a new age of American muscle.
Supercharged V8 or electrified beast in development, the heart of SRT is pumping strong. For the fanbase and enthusiasts that have been longing to experience that old school power manifested in a new form, the wait is over, and boy was it worth it.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carscoops & caranddriver