- Ram has opened orders for the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 in the 2026 Ram 1500, a direct result of customer input
- 5.7-liter HEMI rated at 395 horsepower and 556 Nm of torque, featuring eTorque hybrid technology
- Available for order starting from July, Ram 1500 with HEMI V-8 arrives at European dealerships next winter
- Hurricane engine lineup remains the top performer: more power, less CO₂, and improved fuel efficiency
Ram has announced the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8, beginning with the 2026 Ram 1500. Ordering for HEMI-equipped Ram 1500s will start in Europe from July. The first trucks with the V-8 powertrain arrive at dealerships next winter.
“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle it defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO, Ram brand. “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 legendary engine created momentum to bring the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 back to the Ram 1500 lineup.
“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 statisticians or ideologues. Data be damned — we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!” added 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 Europe in 2026 model year Ram 1500, Laramie, Sport (late availability), Limited as part of the brand’s aggressive product cadence covering the next 18 months.
About the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with eTorque
The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 395 horsepower and 555 Nm 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, 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 176Nm 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.
Intelligent eTorque Integration
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.
eTorque’s benefits extend beyond start/stop. It enhances shifts, improves fuel-saving cylinder deactivation and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking, helping reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
The new engine option offers a towing capacity of up to 5200 kg (European homologation up to 3500 kg) and maximum payload capacity of 793 kg.
Ram’s Full Powertrain Lineup: Legendary 5.7L HEMI, 3L Twin-Turbo Hurricane
While the HEMI V-8 makes a celebrated return — welcomed back for its unmistakable sound and emotional appeal — Ram remains committed to the future of performance. The Hurricane 3.0L twin-turbo I-6 offers up to 540 hp and 706 Nm of torque, representing the most powerful and efficient engine ever offered in a Ram 1500. Those who experience the Hurricane embrace the next generation of power: quieter, smoother, and impressively responsive under acceleration — as confirmed by benchmark performance tests and enthusiastic customers’ feedback.
| Hemi V8 eTorque | 3L Hurricane SO | 3L Hurricane HO | ||
| Availability | Winter 2025 | In stock | In stock | |
| Displacement | L | 5.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Power | Hp | 395 | 420 (+6%) | 540 (+27%) |
| Torque | Nm | 556 | 636 (+14%) | 706 (+27%) |
| CO2 emissions | g/km | 362 | 311 (-14%) | 338 (-7%) |
| Fuel consumption | l/100 km | 16 | 13.1 (-18%) | 14.2 (-11%) |
| 0-100 km/h | sec | 7.8 | 5.3 (-32%) | 4.6 (-41%) |
(…) = Performance delta (%) between HEMI V8 eTorque and Hurricane engines
Ram Brand
Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers:
- Most technological pick-up ever: Advanced Technology: Over 50 inches of combined digital display screens, including a class-exclusive 10.25-inch front passenger screen, provide an unparalleled user experience.
- Segment-Exclusive Features: Innovations like the RamBox® Cargo Management System, Multifunction Tailgate, and Class-Exclusive Active-Level™ Four Corner Air Suspension enhance functionality and convenience.
- Unmatched Luxury: The Ram 1500 Tungsten trim offers premium features such as air suspension, 24-way adjustable massage seats, a 23-speaker Klipsch audio system, and 540 horsepower, setting a new standard for luxury in pickup trucks.
- The Ram 1500 RHO delivers best-in-class off-road capabilities with features like launch control and a 0–100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds, just 0.1 seconds slower than the extinct 702 hp RAM TRX model.
- Comfort without compromise: With a maximum payload capacity of up to 1 ton and towing capacity of 3.5 ton, the Ram 1500 handles demanding tasks with ease.
