HEMI V-8 engine returns in 2026 Ram 1500

6 June 2025

Stellantis announced the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine option, beginning with the 2026 Ram 1500 pickup truck. Ram 1500 trucks, available with the V-8 engine and a 48V mild-hybrid eTorque system, will 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, Stellantis said in a news release.

The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The engine features fuel-saving technologies that include variable camshaft timing and cylinder deactivation. The HEMI will be available in 2026 model-year Ram 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel (late availability), Limited and Longhorn.

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 engine start/stop, torque addition to the engine crankshaft in certain driving situations, and brake energy regeneration. 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 W 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 Wh Li-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.

A 3 kW DC-to-DC converter steps down the 48V 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.

The new engine option offers a towing capacity of up to 11,470 lbs and maximum payload capacity of 1,750 lbs.

Source: Stellantis