RAM has officially brought back the iconic 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine to the 1500 pick-up range in the United States, reversing its previous decision to shift exclusively to six-cylinder turbocharged engines. The move follows mounting pressure from loyal customers and was described internally as a correction of a strategic misstep.
“RAM screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it,” said RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis. “At the end of each month, we count sales to customers, not to statisticians or ideologues.”
Pricing and availability in the US
In the US market, the V8 engine is offered as a $US1200 (~$AU1850) option over the standard straight-six Hurricane engine in most variants. For the Limited and Longhorn trims, it’s a no-cost option, while it is unavailable in the RHO (replacement for the TRX) and Tungsten models.
The V8 versions of the RAM 1500s can be identified by the unique ‘Symbol of Protest’ badge on the front wheel arches—featuring a ram’s head over a stylised V8. Deliveries of the MY26 RAM 1500 units with the V8 are expected to begin in the northern summer (June to August 2025).
The reborn V8 1500 retains its muscular towing credentials, with a claimed 5203kg braked towing capacity and up to 794kg of payload. A performance-tuned exhaust system comes as standard, aimed at preserving the V8’s signature sound—a key reason behind its customer demand.
RAM Australia’s position: No green light yet
Despite sharing the same V8 engine used in the recently discontinued Australian-spec 1500, RAM Trucks Australia has confirmed there are no current plans to reintroduce the Hemi V8 locally.
“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,” a RAM Australia spokesperson said.
Re-engineering challenges: It’s not a simple swap
Although the 5.7-litre V8 remains mechanically unchanged—delivering 295kW and 556Nm with an available 48-volt ‘eTorque’ mild-hybrid system—the process of reintroducing it wasn’t straightforward. The current-generation RAM 1500 has undergone substantial architectural changes, including a new electrical platform, meaning the V8 had to be redeveloped to suit the updated framework.
While such changes would typically take 12 to 18 months, the process was reportedly condensed into just six months, overseen by the former chief engineer of RAM and Dodge SRT performance vehicles.
Additionally, the right-hand drive conversion requirements for the American ute would likely need a 12–18 month development timeline. By then, increasingly strict Australian emissions standards could render the V8 non-compliant.
Hurricane engine still core to RAM’s strategy
RAM insists its newer 3.0-litre Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six remains central to its future powertrain line-up. With greater efficiency and more power than the outgoing V8, it has been well received in markets like Australia.
“Customers have embraced the new Hurricane engine in our latest RAM 1500 models. It remains an integral part of RAM’s future,” said RAM Trucks Australia.
Conclusion
While the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 is making a comeback in the United States, Australian enthusiasts may need to temper expectations. Engineering timelines, emission regulations, and evolving consumer preferences all play a role in determining whether the beloved V8 will return to local shores. For now, RAM Australia remains non-committal, but demand could yet influence future product plans.
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