The Legend Returns: 2026 Ram 1500 Offers 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 eTorque Engine with Proven Performance and Capability
- Reintroduction of popular HEMI V-8 engine shows strong customer responsiveness
- Impressive performance specs: 395 horsepower, 410 lb.-ft torque, 11,470 pounds towing capacity
- eTorque hybrid technology improves efficiency while maintaining power
- Wide availability across multiple trim levels
- No-charge upgrade for Limited and Longhorn models
- Potential higher fuel consumption compared to six-cylinder engines
- Late availability for Rebel trim model
- Reversal of previous strategy indicates possible planning missteps
Insights
Ram's HEMI V-8 revival signals Stellantis' strategic pivot to prioritize customer demands over industry electrification trends.
Ram's decision to reintroduce the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine for the 2026 Ram 1500 represents a significant strategic reversal in response to market feedback. After moving to six-cylinder engines for the 2025 model year, Stellantis is acknowledging a miscalculation in consumer preferences, with CEO Tim Kuniskis making the rare corporate admission that they "screwed up" by dropping the HEMI.
This move reveals a fascinating tension in the automotive industry between technological efficiency and emotional customer attachment. While Ram will continue offering the Hurricane Straight Six Turbo engine, which is technically more powerful and efficient, the company has recognized that the V-8's cultural significance transcends pure performance metrics. The inclusion of a "Symbol of Protest" badge further emphasizes this counter-industry-trend positioning.
The reintroduced HEMI isn't simply a throwback - it incorporates eTorque hybrid technology that adds up to
Strategically, this announcement signals Ram's intent to differentiate through powertrain choice rather than following industry electrification trends unconditionally. The provocative language from Kuniskis about counting "sales to customers, not to statisticians or ideologues" suggests Stellantis is positioning Ram as a brand responsive to truck traditionalists, potentially attracting customers from competitors who have more aggressively embraced downsizing and electrification.
- 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 is rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft of torque, featuring eTorque hybrid technology
- Available for order now, Ram 1500 with HEMI V-8 arrives at dealerships this summer
Today, Ram announces the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8, beginning with the 2026 Ram 1500. Ordering for HEMI-equipped Ram 1500 trucks is now open. The first trucks with the V-8 powertrain arrive at dealerships this summer.
"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," 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.
"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!," 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 2026 model-year Ram 1500 Tradesman,
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, 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.
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 11,470 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.
Freedom of Choice Powertrain
The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is value-packaged with a performance-tuned exhaust system and 33-gallon fuel tank. The HEMI is a no-charge upgrade for Limited and Longhorn models.
Ram Brand
Ram offers a full lineup of pickups and commercial vehicles; the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster vans.
The Ram Light-Duty and Heavy Duty pickups are considerably improved for 2025 and offer new products in the fastest growing segment within the pickup space—Sport Trucks. Ram introduced the largest variety of off-road performance trucks the brand has ever offered, including the new Ram 1500 RHO with more horsepower per dollar than any other performance off-road pickup.
In the commercial business, Ram is launching the new 2025 Chassis Cab line with improvements to help customers and upfitters. Ram Professional is making considerable changes in process, execution and resources with a focus on commercial offerings, dedicated B2B-focused expertise, and sales and service support, which are critical to growing in this segment.
Ram continues to outperform the competition, setting the benchmark in the most important areas for truck buyers:
- Segment-first: 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel
- Most luxurious: Ram 1500 Tungsten with air suspension, 24-way massage seats and 540 horsepower
- Ram 1500 and Heavy Duty: Best ride and handling with five-link solid rear axle with available, segment-exclusive, active-level air suspension
- Ram 1500 RHO: Best off-road performance per dollar
- Ram ProMaster: The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van
- Ram Power Wagon: Most off-road capable full-size pickup
Ram is improving market competitiveness and growth while maintaining pricing power through products, services and electrified offerings. Aligned under the global presence of the Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicle organization, Ram currently offers a wide range of products globally, from the Ram 700 compact pickup to the Ram 5500 Chassis Cab and a range of ProMaster vans.
Ram is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.
Follow Ram and company news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Ram Truck brand: www.ramtrucks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RamTrucks
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Twitter: @RamTrucks, @StellantisNA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/RamTrucks, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA
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SOURCE Stellantis
FAQ
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