A questionable move from RAM
The Stellantis-backed RAM Trucks brand disappointed many customers and the loyal Mopar fanbase when it discontinued one of the most symbolic pillars of their favorite trucks: the Hemi V8 engine.
Its replacement, the twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six, could make more power than some of the Hemi offerings on paper. However, the downsized solution didn’t “hit the same” for its customers, especially as Ram 1500 rivals like the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado still offered eight cylinders aligned in a V-shape.
The Hemi returns like it never left
In an official Stellantis statement, RAM Trucks CEO Tim Kuniskis recognized the “momentum” driven by “Consumer sentiment for the legendary engine,” noting that the return is the start of an “assertive product plan” that brings more “freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it,” Kuniskis said.
The 5.7-liter V8 engine remains largely unchanged from the 2024 model year, delivering 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The Ram’s Hemi engine also features a 48-volt “eTorque” mild hybrid system, which replaces the traditional engine-mounted alternator with a belt-driven motor generator unit that works in conjunction with a 48-volt battery pack. It enables quick and seamless engine start/stop, provides up to 130 lb-ft of additional torque to the engine crankshaft in specific driving conditions, and facilitates brake energy regeneration.
In the Ram 1500 powertrain lineup, the Hemi V-8 is offered as a step-up from the 305-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, and below the more powerful 3-liter Hurricane straight-sixes. The Hurricane engine is available in two configurations: a standard output version that delivers 420 horsepower and a high-output variant that produces 550 horsepower.
“Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic HEMI V-8,” Kuniskis said. “At the end of each month, we count sales to customers, not to statisticians or ideologues. Data be damned — we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!”
Ram
Ram says that the Hemi V8-equipped Ram 1500 models are now available to order, and the first trucks with the powertrain will arrive at Dodge-Jeep-Ram dealers this summer. The Hemi V8 will be a $1200 option on most Ram 1500 trims, including the work-centric Tradesman, the Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Lone Star, and Laramie trims. However, it will be offered as a no-cost option on the luxury-oriented Limited and Longhorn.
Stellantis says that the Hemi will also be available on the rugged Rebel trim, but details on pricing or availability are scarce. The off-road-oriented RHO and the top-of-the-line Tungsten model will be exclusively offered with the high-output twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six; however, Mopar Insiders reported that the Ford Raptor-rivalling TRX could potentially return for the 2026 model year.
Ram
No matter which trim level you choose, Stellantis says that every 2026 Ram 1500 equipped with the powerful Hemi V8 will proudly display a distinctive fender-mounted badge known as the ‘Symbol of Protest.’ This badge, drawn up by Ram’s design team, features a bold and expressive Ram’s head, exuding a sense of cuteness and aggression. The head is artfully integrated with the outline of a Hemi V8 engine block, which shows onlookers that your Ram is not just a truck, but a powerhouse with a legendary Hemi engine lurking beneath its hood.
Ram
Final thoughts
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis was consistently asked the question “When will the Hemi return?” when he returned to his post in December 2024, and finally, here it is. The trend of downsizing motors has been seen across the automotive spectrum, but this event shows that some things are still sacred in the automotive world.
