Report: Ram 1500 TRX Will Return in 2026 with Hemi V-8 Power
Ram is cooking up a new for 2026, according to a report from .
The new TRX will get even more power than before, possibly featuring the 797-hp engine from Dodge's Hellcat Redeye models.
Rumors have circulated about the return of the V-8 to Ram's now six-cylinder-only 1500 lineup, sparked by the last year.
Late last week, whispers began circulating that the Ram 1500 TRX was set to return. The rumor stemmed from a story from Sportsnaut that Ram would reenter the NASCAR Truck Series, where the site shared an alleged email to Dodge dealerships detailing future plans for Stellantis brands. Now, the rumor has picked up more steam, with Mopar Insiders reporting that its sources have confirmed the TRX's revival and confirmed that the new TRX will herald the return of the Hemi V-8.
Ram gave its 1500 pickup trucks an overhaul for 2025, notably dropping the V-8 engine in favor of the Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six. Ram also introduced a new off-road performance variant, the 1500 RHO, as a spiritual successor to the TRX. While the RHO's 540 horsepower is plenty potent, the six-cylinder's output falls quite a ways short of the TRX's 702 ponies. The inline-six also can't match the TRX's supercharged 6.2-liter for aural enjoyment.
Not only did Mopar Insiders report that the V-8 will return, but the online outlet claims the V-8 will be even more powerful than before. It's unclear exactly how much oomph the new TRX will pack, but the report suggests either a small bump to roughly 717 hp or, more intriguingly, the use of stockpiled, leftover Hellcat Redeye motors, which could provide 797 hp.
The reworked TRX is expected to arrive for the 2026 model year and could be joined by other V-8-powered Ram trucks. Although we can't verify the veracity of the leaked email published by Sportsnaut, the image claims the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V-8s will also return to the 1500 lineup, a change that has been rumored since Tim Kuniskis returned as Ram CEO in December.
The screenshot also suggests that the electric Jeep Recon will finally arrive in the fourth quarter of the year, while the rebirth of the Jeep Cherokee as a 2026 model—expected to come with a hybrid powertrain— is set for October. Other tidbits include the arrival of a sporty GLH model for the Hornet crossover, which was originally expected for 2023, and this being the final year for the aging Dodge Durango SUV. It's unclear just how much of this will come true, but it seems like it will be a busy year for the American stable of Stellantis brands.
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