The Ram brand of Stellantis in Auburn Hills is seemingly atoning for what it admits was a mistake to discontinue the legendary HEMI powerplant in its pickups. It has announced the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, beginning with the 2026 Ram 1500.
Ordering for HEMI-equipped Ram 1500 trucks is open and the first trucks with the V-8 powertrain are expected to arrive at dealerships this summer.
“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you,” says Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram brand. “Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it, and we fixed it. We’re not just bringing back a legendary V-8 engine, we’re igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.”
The Ram 1500 lineup shifted to six-cylinder engines for the 2025 model year. Consumer sentiment for the engine created momentum to bring the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 back to the Ram 1500.
“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. 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,” says Kuniskis.
Each HEMI-powered 2026 Ram 1500 includes a new fender-mounted Symbol of Protest badge created by the Ram design team. The badge outlines the Ram’s head pushing forward, powered by a HEMI V-8 block.
The HEMI will be available in 2026 model-year Ram 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel (late availability), Limited, and Longhorn as part of the brand’s product cadence covering the next 18 months.
The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque in a smooth, broad power band, enhanced with fuel-saving technologies that include variable camshaft timing and cylinder deactivation.
The eTorque hybrid system is a class-exclusive, according to Ram, available V-8 hybrid. The system replaces the traditional engine-mounted alternator with a belt-driven motor generator unit. The motor generator unit works with a 48-volt battery pack to provide quick and seamless engine start/stop, torque addition to the engine crankshaft in certain driving situations and brake energy regeneration, which improves responsiveness and efficiency. The system enables up to 130 lb.-ft. of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in.
Performance-enhancing features include variable-valve timing, Fuel Saver Technology (cylinder deactivation), and an 850-watt electric cooling fan using Pulse Width Modulation to tailor the fan’s energy draw to the cooling demand.
The eTorque hybrid system stores energy in a compact, 430-watt-hour lithium-ion battery, housed in a noise-insulated enclosure behind the rear seat. Air-cooled and internally vented, the system uses dual cooling fans to maintain optimal battery temperatures while remaining acoustically transparent to passengers.
A 3-kilowatt DC-to-DC converter steps down the 48 volts to charge the truck’s conventional 12-volt battery and power accessories. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 retains a traditional starter motor for cold-weather starts.
Other eTorque’s benefits include enhancing shifts, improving fuel-saving cylinder deactivation, and smoothing transitions under acceleration and braking, helping reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
The new engine option offers a towing capacity of up to 11,470 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.
The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is packaged with a performance-tuned exhaust system and 33-gallon fuel tank. The HEMI is a no-charge upgrade for Limited and Longhorn models.
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In Related News: The Dodge brand is powering up the performance of its SUV mix for the 2026 model year, with a focus on the HEMI-powered Dodge Durango R/T by introducing a new 2026 Dodge Durango R/T Blacktop Redline package, bringing back the R/T Tow N Go package as a standalone option and delivering a refreshed wheel lineup for the R/T model.
The 2026 Dodge Durango lineup will feature the Durango GT, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine-powered Durango R/T with best-in-class 360-horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, and the what the automaker calls the most powerful gas engine SUV ever, the 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.
“The Dodge Durango is the three-row muscle SUV and is equipped with Dodge muscle car attitude, best-in-class towing at every trim and an ability to seat up to seven,” says Matt, CEO of the Dodge brand.
“The HEMI-powered Durango offers the only V-8 in its class and the most horsepower under $50,000. It’s a powerful combination and customers value its unique proposition of power and performance, with retail sales up 64 percent in Q1 year over year. Now for 2026, we plan to continue to give our Dodge SUV customers easier accessibility to more performance and more capability.”
Ranging from efficient V-6 power to the performance of the SRT Hellcat, Dodge says the Durango offers an option for “every modern muscle-car enthusiast seeking performance paired with capability and flexible capacity.”
With the ability to seat up to seven in its three rows of seats, the Durango maintains its claim of being a family-friendly SUV, one equipped with Dodge muscle car attitude and capable with best-in-class towing leadership at every trim level. The three-row SUV offers flexibility with 50 seating configurations and 85.1 maximum cubic feet of cargo space.
Ordering for 2026 Dodge Durango GT and Durango R/T models are scheduled to start arriving at Dodge dealerships in Q3 2025. The starting U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the Durango GT is $38,495, with the 2026 Durango R/T available at a starting U.S. MSRP of $49,995 (all prices exclude destination cost of $1,995, taxes and fees).
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In More Related News: Ram will join the field for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ending a 13-year break. The brand unveiled a new Ram 1500 concept race truck that previews the design for next year.
“For more than a decade, customers and our dealer network asked about getting back into NASCAR,” says Kuniskis. “The desire was always there, but we didn’t have a plan that delivered the last 10th and following just didn’t fit our DNA. Now we have a solid plan that will set us apart from the field and will bring fresh new interest and engagement to America’s motorsport.”
In addition, Ram brand now offers what it’s calling America’s best full-size truck limited powertrain warranty, covering 2026 model-year Ram trucks and vans (excluding full battery-electric vehicles) sold in the United States. The new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty reflects Ram’s commitment to long-term vehicle quality as more buyers opt for extended loan terms.
“Everything is more expensive, and trucks are certainly no exception,” says Kuniskis. “Truck buyers are financing purchases for longer periods of time, with nearly 80 percent of new truck loans exceeding five years. Our customers are making a long-term investment in Ram, and with America’s best full-size truck limited powertrain warranty, Ram is making a stronger and longer commitment to our customers.”
The limited powertrain warranty is applicable to the original owner of 2026 model-year Ram trucks and vans, including the Chassis Cab lineup. The warranty covers the engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials and axles for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Warranty offer includes retail purchases and leases to individuals and businesses, excludes fleet purchases.
