The Return of the 5.7-Liter HEMI V-8 in the 2026 Ram 1500
As a direct result of customer demand, Ram is bringing back the popular HEMI V-8 on select 2026 Ram 1500 models…
Following the recent news that the 2026 Dodge Durango R/T and SRT Hellcat models would be powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, Ram announced the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 in select 2026 Ram 1500 models. Ordering for HEMI-equipped Ram 1500 trucks is now open, and the first trucks with the V-8 powertrain are scheduled to 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.”
Responding to Customer Demand for the HEMI V-8
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, stated company officials in a press release.
“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 the 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.
Power, Performance & the eTorque Hybrid System
The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque in a smooth, broad power band, enhanced with fuel-saving technologies that include variable camshaft timing and cylinder deactivation, noted the release.
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 pound-feet 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 also 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 a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.
The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is value-packaged with a performance-tuned exhaust system and a 33-gallon fuel tank. The HEMI is a no-charge upgrade for Limited and Longhorn models.
