Ram brings back the legendary V8: over 10,000 orders in a day for the new Ram 1500
Following numerous requests from car enthusiasts, Ram decided to bring back the naturally aspirated 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine for the popular Ram 1500 pickup truck. The news immediately sparked enormous interest—in just the first 24 hours after orders opened, the company received over 10,000 pre-orders for trims equipped with this engine.
According to Tim Kuniskis, head of the Ram brand, the decision to completely phase out the V8 by 2025 turned out to be a mistake for the company and an important lesson for the future. Stellantis executives note that customers value the HEMI not only for its powerful performance and reliability, but also for its signature sound, which no modern turbocharged engine can replicate.
The new version of the Ram 1500 with the legendary HEMI V8 will go on sale in the summer of 2025 as a 2026 model. The V8 produces 395 horsepower and 555 Nm of torque. Although the new 3.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged engine is more powerful (420 l.s. and 623 Nm), many drivers deliberately choose the good old “eight” for its proven reputation and unique charm. The engine upgrade will cost about $1,200—the option will be available for most trim levels.
According to official data, Ram has already sold more than 51,000 1500 Series pickups in the second quarter of 2025. More than 10,000 pre-orders for the HEMI in just one day—that’s a powerful signal to the market. The company expects that the return of this iconic engine will help it maintain its leadership in the full-size pickup segment in the U.S. and attract even more fans.
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According to Tim Kuniskis, head of the Ram brand, the decision to completely phase out the V8 by 2025 turned out to be a mistake for the company and an important lesson for the future. Stellantis executives note that customers value the HEMI not only for its powerful performance and reliability, but also for its signature sound, which no modern turbocharged engine can replicate.
The new version of the Ram 1500 with the legendary HEMI V8 will go on sale in the summer of 2025 as a 2026 model. The V8 produces 395 horsepower and 555 Nm of torque. Although the new 3.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged engine is more powerful (420 l.s. and 623 Nm), many drivers deliberately choose the good old “eight” for its proven reputation and unique charm. The engine upgrade will cost about $1,200—the option will be available for most trim levels.
According to official data, Ram has already sold more than 51,000 1500 Series pickups in the second quarter of 2025. More than 10,000 pre-orders for the HEMI in just one day—that’s a powerful signal to the market. The company expects that the return of this iconic engine will help it maintain its leadership in the full-size pickup segment in the U.S. and attract even more fans.
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