V8 could return to Ram 1500

The 2025 Ram 1500 pick-up has only just launched Down Under with a downsized six-cylinder engine, but already speculation is mounting that a return to V8 power is on the cards.

That’s according to leaked information circulated by Dodge dealers in the US and since shared by Sportsnaut, which details future plans for Ram and Jeep products, including a return to V8 power for the Ram 1500.

Atop the list of Ram plans, is ‘5.7L HEMI will be back in 1500s’, highlighting a potential rethink of the updated Ram 1500’s powertrain.

The document also hinted at a return to the NASCAR Truck Series for Dodge, along with a return of the flagship TRX, said to be “coming back with more power”.

Just launched in Australia, the new 1500 has ditched the iconic HEMI V8 for a smaller but more powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder petrol engine dubbed ‘Hurricane’, good for 313kW/635Nm (Standard Output) or 403kW/707Nm (High Output).

That’s a sizable increase in both power and torque over the outgoing 5.7-litre petrol V8 (291kW/556Nm).

And, while the inline six won’t sound as good as the V8, it should boast significantly better fuel consumption, although Ram is yet to release official numbers.

Even still, a return to V8 power is all speculation according to Ram Trucks Australia’s general manager, Jeff Barber, who says the decision would ultimately be made by parent company Stellantis.

“I won’t speak on behalf of Stellantis but I see there’s plenty of speculation at the moment,” he said. “I expect Stellantis is keeping a close eye on the market and consumer demand for a V8.”

The local Ram executive isn’t worried about the downsized engine affecting sales, saying the performance gains are impressive. Dealers are on board too, says Barber.

“We had a dealer event last week and like when I drove [the Hurricane] and when my colleagues drove it, everyone’s super impressed. Not one dealer last week made reference to the HEMI.”

Despite payload increases for the 2025 Ram 1500 just launched in Australia – up to 863kg (SO) and 782.5kg (HO), compared to the previous V8’s 701kg payload – the American tough truck comes with a compromise in the towing department.

Where the outgoing HEMI-powered 1500 came with a maximum braked towing capacity of 4500kg with a 70mm tow ball (or 3500kg with a 50mm tow ball), only the Laramie Sport Standard Output now comes with the same capability as its predecessor.

Meanwhile, the range-topping Ram 1500 Limited High Output is capped at a maximum 4200kg with a 70mm ball.

Despite being more powerful, the Limited’s towing trade-off is justified by Ram because it’s a ‘performance vehicle’.

“There’s always been a payload difference between Limited and other models; the towing difference is really because it’s a performance car now,” said a spokesperson for Ram Trucks Australia.

“There’s another vehicle in our US pick-up category that also has 4200kg towing so we’re not alone in having a difference compared to our sibling vehicles.”

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