The Ram 1500’s new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six could produce extra energy and torque than the Hemi V8 it changed, but it surely doesn’t have the identical sound. Fret not, although – that particular burble is coming again.
After dropping it for mannequin 12 months 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with autos arriving in US dealerships within the northern summer time (June to August).
Model CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the highest spot late final 12 months, was candid concerning the Hemi’s return.
“Everybody makes errors, however the way you deal with them defines you. Ram screwed up after we dropped the Hemi — we personal it and we mounted it,” he mentioned.
“We’re not simply bringing again a legendary V8 engine, we’re igniting an assertive product plan and increasing the liberty of selection in powertrain for our prospects.”
A whole lot of latest automobile offers can be found by CarExpert proper now. Get the consultants in your aspect and rating an important deal. Browse now.
However there’s no assure it’ll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup.
“The return of the Hemi V8 is a choice that has been made for the US market. Because it stands immediately, there is no such thing as a assure the Hemi V8 will return to Australian showrooms,” mentioned a Ram Vehicles Australia spokesperson.
“As with all improvement, we’ll proceed to evaluate and consider what choices are made accessible to us from the huge Ram catalogue within the US.
“We all know there are prospects who love the sound of a V8, and the Hemi V8 continues to be accessible in our Ram 1500 Massive Horn mannequin whereas inventory lasts.
“Nonetheless, prospects have additionally embraced the brand new Hurricane twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder engine in our newest Ram 1500 fashions.
“The Hurricane engine stays an integral a part of Ram’s future. With extra energy and torque – and higher effectivity – than the earlier 5.7-litre Hemi V8, we imagine the brand new Hurricane engine collection will over time turn into iconic in its personal proper.”
Ram Vehicles Australia has beforehand indicated it takes 12-18 months to finish a neighborhood engineering program for a brand new mannequin variant that can be remanufactured domestically in right-hand drive.
That will make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, ought to or not it’s permitted for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised extra than simply aesthetic tweaks, with different adjustments together with upgraded infotainment, so this isn’t so simple as simply figuratively flicking a change.
Certainly, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this 12 months the Hemi was by no means designed to be supplied with the up to date 1500’s electrical structure.
Within the US, the Hemi can be supplied throughout each trim degree bar the sporty RHO and opulent Tungsten, which can be supplied completely with the Excessive Output model of the Hurricane six.
For the Restricted and Longhorn, which additionally come customary with the high-output six, the Hemi can be a no-cost choice.
Ram has stood behind the brand new Hurricane engine within the US, which can be utilized by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge model this 12 months.
“Ram will proceed to supply the extra highly effective and extra environment friendly Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, however we heard loud and clear from shoppers: there is no such thing as a alternative for the long-lasting Hemi V8,” mentioned Mr Kuniskis.
The return of the Hemi additionally sees the introduction of a brand new badge that includes a Ram’s head pushing ahead, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is asking the badge the ‘Image of Protest’.
The Hemi V8 continues to characteristic cylinder deactivation to assist scale back gasoline consumption, in addition to the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which incorporates idle cease/begin and smooths transitions underneath acceleration and braking.
It additionally permits as much as 176Nm of torque to be accessible on preliminary throttle tip-in.
In whole, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of energy and 556Nm of torque.
The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Customary Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, whereas the Excessive Output tune nicely and actually blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm.
This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s a lot faster than the V8 autos they changed, whereas additionally consuming much less petrol.
Presently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we’ve by no means gotten the bottom naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 supplied in low-end variations of the 1500 in North America.
Whereas the 5.7-litre has returned, there’s no phrase but on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX.
With the transfer to an all six-cylinder lineup right here for the MY25 1500, Ram Vehicles Australia ceded V8 energy to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its present technology, whereas Ford doesn’t carry V8-powered variations of the F-150 Down Beneath.
MORE: The whole lot Ram 1500
