Ram 1500 revives Hemi V8 as brand fixes "mistake", Australian return unconfirmed
After dropping it for model year 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with vehicles arriving in US dealerships in the northern summer (June to August).
Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the top spot late last year, was candid about the Hemi's return.
'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,' he said.
'We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.'
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
But there's no guarantee it'll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup.
'The return of the Hemi V8 is a decision that has been made for the US market. As it stands today, there is no guarantee the Hemi V8 will return to Australian showrooms,' said a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson.
'As with any development, we will continue to review and evaluate what options are made available to us from the vast Ram catalogue in the US.
'We know there are customers who love the sound of a V8, and the Hemi V8 is still available in our Ram 1500 Big Horn model while stock lasts.
'However, customers have also embraced the new Hurricane twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder engine in our latest Ram 1500 models.
'The Hurricane engine remains an integral part of Ram's future. With more power and torque – and better efficiency – than the previous 5.7-litre Hemi V8, we believe the new Hurricane engine series will over time become iconic in its own right.'
Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
That would make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, should it be approved for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised more than just aesthetic tweaks, with other changes including upgraded infotainment, so this isn't as simple as just figuratively flicking a switch.
Indeed, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's electrical architecture.
In the US, the Hemi will be offered across every trim level bar the sporty RHO and luxurious Tungsten, which will be offered exclusively with the High Output version of the Hurricane six.
For the Limited and Longhorn, which also come standard with the high-output six, the Hemi will be a no-cost option.
Ram has stood behind the new Hurricane engine in the US, which is also used by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge brand this year.
'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 V8,' said Mr Kuniskis.
The return of the Hemi also sees the introduction of a new badge featuring a Ram's head pushing forward, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is calling the badge the 'Symbol of Protest'. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The Hemi V8 continues to feature cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, as well as the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which includes idle stop/start and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking.
It also enables up to 176Nm of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in.
In total, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque.
The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Standard Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, while the High Output tune well and truly blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm.
This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s much quicker than the V8 vehicles they replaced, while also consuming less petrol.
Currently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we've never gotten the base naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 offered in low-end versions of the 1500 in North America.
While the 5.7-litre has returned, there's no word yet on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX.
With the move to an all six-cylinder lineup here for the MY25 1500, Ram Trucks Australia ceded V8 power to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its current generation, while Ford doesn't bring V8-powered versions of the F-150 Down Under.
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
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