The North American International Auto Show in Detroit turned out to be a damn good show, with big debuts from all three American manufacturers, to say nothing of the other automakers big and small that were in attendance. While the car everyone was talking about before the show is the 2015 Corvette Z06, Chrysler could have stolen the show if these recent rumors proved true.

Motor Trend had reported that its ears on the inside of Chrysler said the rumored “Hellcat” supercharged HEMI Challenger would break cover in Detroit. How does 640 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2 liter HEMI V8 sound?

Sounds like Chrysler is finally serious about competing with cross-town rivals GM and Ford. The SRT team has been outgunned for most of the last decade as both Ford and GM performance teams embraced forced induction. Finally though, a factory supercharged car from Chrysler is going to hit the streets, and it sounded like it would make its debut this past week.

The Challenger is also due to get a new look, to help it keep pace with the Mustang and Camaro, making this a pretty big secret debut. Meanwhile, the Challenger SRT8 Hellcat will command serious money, with a price between $70,000 and $80,000, and the supercharged engine could even find its way into the four-door Charger. An eight-speed automatic could also be on tap, as Chrysler seems hooked on adding as many gear options as possible.

But, it didn’t make an appearance, and while we waited to see what Chrysler had under the covers at their corner of Cobo Hall, we were left wondering about the Hellcat Hemi and when it might make its official debut. The next rumor? Possibly at the big Spring Fest 9 in Irvine this March, we hear Ralph Gilles and a few other Chrysler officials will be there. You can be sure we will be there to cover it, and have our fingers crossed that the Hellcat Hemi will make an appearance.