RAM 1500 V8 returns, but only in the US

Mistakes were made, admits the RAM brand’s boss, following the announcement that the RAM 1500 will once again come powered by its Hemi V8, but its return to Australia remains uncertain.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle it defines you,” said Tim Kuniskis, RAM’s CEO. “RAM screwed up when we dropped the Hemi – we own it and we fixed it.”

The US brand had replaced the 5.7-litre V8 with an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder Hurricane engine that delivers more power and torque with enhanced efficiency.

In the US, the RAM 1500 V8 will be back in dealerships as soon as next month, but it’s a different story here in Australia.

Even if the Hemi is greenlit for our market, it might take as long as 12 to 18 months before it’s redeveloped for right-hand drive, and a 2027 arrival could see it struck down by more stringent Australian emissions targets.

Complicating its return are reports that the revised RAM 1500 uses an all-new electrical architecture that needs to be re-engineered and adapted to the aging V8.

If the V8 is revived here, the 5.7-litre unit will pump out 295kW and 556Nm and will continue to come with mild-hybrid tech that adds an additional 176Nm.

In the US, the big RAM can tow up to 5203kg braked, although payload is limited to 794kg.

Maximising the burble much missed by ute enthusiasts, all V8s now come with a performance exhaust.

Despite the return of the 5.7-litre engine, there’s no news on whether the wild supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that powers the RAM 1500 TRX – and kicks out 523kW and 882Nm – will also return.

Commenting on its return, RAM Trucks Australia released the following statement:

“The return of the Hemi V8 is a decision that has been made for the US market. As it stands today, there is no guarantee the Hemi V8 will return to Australian showrooms.

“We know there are customers who love the sound of a V8, and the Hemi V8 is still available in our RAM 1500 Big Horn model while stock lasts.

“However, customers have also embraced the new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine in our latest RAM 1500 models. The Hurricane engine remains an integral part of RAM’s future.

“With more power and torque – and better efficiency – than the previous 5.7-litre Hemi V8, we believe the new Hurricane engine series will, over time, become iconic in its own right.”

In the US, the V8 will be offered as a $US1200 ($A1850) option to the standard-output inline-six on most RAM 1500 models. It will be a no-cost extra on the Limited and Longhorn variants but won’t be available on the Tungsten or flagship RHO variants.

Helping to identify that a V8 is under the bonnet of a RAM 1500, in the US the V8 ute comes with ‘Symbol of Protest’ badges on the front fenders that feature a ram’s head fused onto a V8 engine block.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au