The Hemi V8 is returning to the Ram 1500 for the 2026 model year, as the brand has already opened an order book for the model with the 5,7-liter V8 engine.
Ram is bringing back the Hemi-powered 2026 for the 1500 model year, which will be available starting this summer. The 5,7-liter V8 is not standard, but it can be ordered for an additional fee of about 1.100 euros, with which Ram addresses customer dissatisfaction with the previous transition to a six-cylinder-only lineup for 2025. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis openly admitted: “Ram made a mistake when we dropped the Hemi. Now we want to fix it.”
The 5,7-liter Hemi V8 engine returns, retaining its original 295 kW (395 hp) and 556 Nm of torque. It also retains the eTorque hybrid system, a strategic decision to expedite its re-introduction and avoid extensive recalibration and certification. This engine will be available in a number of trim levels, including Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, Limited and Longhorn.
Prices for the V8 upgrade vary depending on the trim level. For Limited and Longhorn trims, which come standard with Ram’s high-output 3,0-liter turbocharged inline-six, the V8 is available at no extra charge. For other trims equipped with the standard-output engine, the upgrade is available for an additional $1.100. The Hemi-powered Ram 1500 boasts a payload capacity of 794 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 5.203 pounds.
The decision to reintroduce the Hemi V8 engine was made quickly. Ram began working on reintroducing the V8 the day Tim Kuniskis returned to the brand in December. Despite initial estimates that the development cycle would take 1500 months due to the 18's new electrical architecture, a dedicated team codenamed F15, led by former SRT chief engineer Daryl Smith, was able to shorten the timeframe to just six months.
