Ram confirms another delay to electric, range-extender utes
The all-electric Ram 1500 REV ute, and the closely related range-extender Ram 1500 Ramcharger, are delayed, again.
Responding to a report by Crain's Detroit Business, a spokesperson for the French-Italian-American automaker confirmed the company is 'extending the quality validation period' to iron out some quality issues on the EREV (extended-range electric vehicle) 1500 Ramcharger.
Although the spokesperson didn't elaborate on what these issues are, this latest setback means the Ramcharger won't be launched until the first quarter of 2026, at the earliest.
Revealed and detailed in November 2023, the Ramcharger was initially set to launch at the end of 2024.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
As for the all-electric 1500 REV, that's being delayed due to market 'slowing consumer demand' for full-size electric pickup trucks in the States.
Despite rising EV sales in the US, the Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, and the electric versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra aren't meeting their initially imagined sales targets.
For example, in 2024 Ford sold around 33,000 Lightnings out of 460,915 F-150s in total. The Blue Oval initially planned to shift around 150,000 Lightnings per year.
Unveiled in early 2023, the Ram 1500 REV was originally set to enter the market in late 2024. At the end of last year, Ram pushed the launch date back to 2026, and now it has confirmed the REV won't become available until the third quarter of 2027.
The long-range variant of the 1500 REV with a 229kWh battery and projected range of 804km (500 miles) has been cancelled, meaning only the standard-range variant will be offered.
At its 2023 unveiling, the standard-range 1500 REV was equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup making a total of 488kW and 841Nm. Fed by a 168kWh battery, the electric Ram is said to have a 563km (350 mile) range. Given the car's long gestation time, these details may well change by the time REV finally launches.
The 1500 Ramcharger aims to offer the best of both worlds with its extended-range EV drivetrain. It has a pair of electric motors driving all four wheels, making a total of 487kW and 834Nm, and fed by a 92kWh battery pack.
There's also a 3.6-litre V6 on board, but it can't drive the wheels. Instead its only task is to charge up the battery pack when it starts running low.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
5 days ago
- Herald Sun
Ram to bring V8 engines back to utes
'Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine', Elvis Presley once said, perfectly encapsulating the bent-eight's enduring appeal both in the US and Australia, so you don't need much of an imagination to figure out what happened when Ram dropped it from its iconic full-size 1500 ute. Sales slumped, profits plummeted, shares fell, dealers revolted, and unions waged war over shutdowns and enforced lay-offs that eventually triggered the Stellantis group's own chief executive to fall on his sword. MORE: US dealers lash out over falling Jeep, Ram sales V8 power makes the RAM TRX an incredibly desirable ute. Picture: Thomas Wielecki In reality, it's dubious the King ever said the original V8 quote and it would be stretching the truth to say dumping the V8 was the root of either Ram's or Stellantis' crippling issues but when an available scapegoat is on hand, who wouldn't want to grab it with both hands and bask in the warm fuzzy glow of giving diehard enthusiasts with the loudest voices exactly what they want? 'Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle it defines you', said Ram chief executive Tim Kuniskis. 'Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi – we own it and we fixed it.' MORE: Driving the six-cylinder Ram 1500 RAM finished production of Hemi-powered V8 utes in 2024. Picture: Supplied Dragged back from retirement to save Ram, the former chief executive only returned last December and was well aware of the PR mileage in saving the American Dream. Reviving the V8 wasn't as easy as you'd think. The recently updated Ram 1500 ute had been reengineered for Stellantis next-generation Atlantis High electric architecture that had never been developed to work with the ageing V8. Engineers estimated dropping the V8 back in the big ute would take up to 18 months, but Kuniskis' assembled team achieved it in just six. MORE: End of an era for V8 icon A new six-cylinder engine in the Ram 1500 has plenty of power. Picture: Supplied Helping save face, the official party line is the V8 isn't a replacement for the all-new Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder, just merely a tool to broaden choice within the line-up. Not that any old 5.7-litre Hemi was chosen for the Ram 1500, with the most sophisticated mild-hybrid eTorque Hemi picked from the Jeep Wagoneer that delivers 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque, with the latter boosted by a short burst of 176Nm when needed for overtakes and smooth engine shut off when not. MORE: Electrified 'Ramcharger' revealed The V8's belt-driven alternator and 48-volt battery also help smooth cylinder deactivation and offers near seamless stop-start in traffic. Sounds good if you conveniently ignore the far more efficient inline-six's maximum 403kW and 707Nm peak torque but one thing the trick Hurricane engine can never match is the beloved V8 burble and the new Hemi-powered 1500s now come with a standard sports exhaust to maximise that advantage. In the US the V8 is also a surprisingly affordable $US1200 ($A1850) option on most standard-output inline-six Ram 1500s, while a no-cost extra on the high-grade Limited and Longhorn variants but it's not available on the flagship RHO. There's no word yet on what's happened to the 523kW supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that powered the 1500 TRX but with most of the work already done a reboot could be on the cards. Other than its thumping soundtrack, identifying a V8-powered Ram 1500 isn't easy but there are new 'Symbol of Protest' badges on the front fenders that fuses a demonic ram's head on a V8 engine block. MORE: Driving the Ram TRX at Black Rock Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stepped down after revolt from Jeep and Ram dealers. Photo: AFP With clear demand for the V8 Down Under, you might expect the local Ram outfit would be screaming out for the bent-eight's return but with Australia's own emission standards, adopted at the beginning of this year, the chances of V8 renaissance under the 1500 bonnet has narrowed. There's also the small matter of the lengthy estimated 12-18 months it will take for the V8 to be reengineered for a right-hand drive conversion. With predicted 2027 arrival it's no wonder Ram Australia hasn't been quick to carefully manage expectations for the 1500 V8 Down Under. The new Ram 1500 has 'Hurricane' six-cylinder power. Picture: Supplied '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. 'However, customers have also embraced the new Hurricane twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder engine'. '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.' Even without the V8 revival kicking in, with an industry veteran behind the wheel Ram retail sales have already crept up by 16 per cent in the first quarter of this year, with analysts predicting a whopping 40 per cent bump in Q2 alone. Throw in EVs that arrive in 2027 and the range-extender Ramcharger that lands later his year, plus rumours of new mid-size utes to fight the Ranger and the future is brighter but not yet assured for the US brand. While everyone warmly greets the return of the V8, the real work continues behind the scenes to tackle poor quality and worse reliability, while somehow find the cash needed to build a future line-up of truly desirable utes worthy of the King, with or without a V8. Originally published as Ram to bring V8 engines back to utes
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Ram 1500 revives Hemi V8 as brand fixes "mistake", Australian return unconfirmed
The Ram 1500's new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six may produce more power and torque than the Hemi V8 it replaced, but it doesn't have the same sound. Fret not, though – that distinctive burble is coming back. After dropping it for model year 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with vehicles arriving in US dealerships in the northern summer (June to August). Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the top spot late last year, was candid about the Hemi's return. "Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it," he said. "We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But there's no guarantee it'll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup. "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," said a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson. "As with any development, we will continue to review and evaluate what options are made available to us from the vast Ram catalogue in the US. "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 in-line 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." Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. That would make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, should it be approved for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised more than just aesthetic tweaks, with other changes including upgraded infotainment, so this isn't as simple as just figuratively flicking a switch. Indeed, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's electrical architecture. In the US, the Hemi will be offered across every trim level bar the sporty RHO and luxurious Tungsten, which will be offered exclusively with the High Output version of the Hurricane six. For the Limited and Longhorn, which also come standard with the high-output six, the Hemi will be a no-cost option. Ram has stood behind the new Hurricane engine in the US, which is also used by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge brand this year. "Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic Hemi V8," said Mr Kuniskis. The return of the Hemi also sees the introduction of a new badge featuring a Ram's head pushing forward, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is calling the badge the 'Symbol of Protest'. The Hemi V8 continues to feature cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, as well as the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which includes idle stop/start and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking. It also enables up to 176Nm of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in. In total, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque. The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Standard Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, while the High Output tune well and truly blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm. This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s much quicker than the V8 vehicles they replaced, while also consuming less petrol. Currently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we've never gotten the base naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 offered in low-end versions of the 1500 in North America. While the 5.7-litre has returned, there's no word yet on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX. With the move to an all six-cylinder lineup here for the MY25 1500, Ram Trucks Australia ceded V8 power to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its current generation, while Ford doesn't bring V8-powered versions of the F-150 Down Under. MORE: Everything Ram 1500 Content originally sourced from: The Ram 1500's new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six may produce more power and torque than the Hemi V8 it replaced, but it doesn't have the same sound. Fret not, though – that distinctive burble is coming back. After dropping it for model year 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with vehicles arriving in US dealerships in the northern summer (June to August). Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the top spot late last year, was candid about the Hemi's return. "Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it," he said. "We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But there's no guarantee it'll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup. "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," said a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson. "As with any development, we will continue to review and evaluate what options are made available to us from the vast Ram catalogue in the US. "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 in-line 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." Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. That would make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, should it be approved for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised more than just aesthetic tweaks, with other changes including upgraded infotainment, so this isn't as simple as just figuratively flicking a switch. Indeed, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's electrical architecture. In the US, the Hemi will be offered across every trim level bar the sporty RHO and luxurious Tungsten, which will be offered exclusively with the High Output version of the Hurricane six. For the Limited and Longhorn, which also come standard with the high-output six, the Hemi will be a no-cost option. Ram has stood behind the new Hurricane engine in the US, which is also used by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge brand this year. "Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic Hemi V8," said Mr Kuniskis. The return of the Hemi also sees the introduction of a new badge featuring a Ram's head pushing forward, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is calling the badge the 'Symbol of Protest'. The Hemi V8 continues to feature cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, as well as the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which includes idle stop/start and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking. It also enables up to 176Nm of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in. In total, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque. The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Standard Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, while the High Output tune well and truly blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm. This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s much quicker than the V8 vehicles they replaced, while also consuming less petrol. Currently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we've never gotten the base naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 offered in low-end versions of the 1500 in North America. While the 5.7-litre has returned, there's no word yet on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX. With the move to an all six-cylinder lineup here for the MY25 1500, Ram Trucks Australia ceded V8 power to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its current generation, while Ford doesn't bring V8-powered versions of the F-150 Down Under. MORE: Everything Ram 1500 Content originally sourced from: The Ram 1500's new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six may produce more power and torque than the Hemi V8 it replaced, but it doesn't have the same sound. Fret not, though – that distinctive burble is coming back. After dropping it for model year 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with vehicles arriving in US dealerships in the northern summer (June to August). Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the top spot late last year, was candid about the Hemi's return. "Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it," he said. "We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But there's no guarantee it'll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup. "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," said a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson. "As with any development, we will continue to review and evaluate what options are made available to us from the vast Ram catalogue in the US. "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 in-line 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." Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. That would make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, should it be approved for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised more than just aesthetic tweaks, with other changes including upgraded infotainment, so this isn't as simple as just figuratively flicking a switch. Indeed, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's electrical architecture. In the US, the Hemi will be offered across every trim level bar the sporty RHO and luxurious Tungsten, which will be offered exclusively with the High Output version of the Hurricane six. For the Limited and Longhorn, which also come standard with the high-output six, the Hemi will be a no-cost option. Ram has stood behind the new Hurricane engine in the US, which is also used by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge brand this year. "Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic Hemi V8," said Mr Kuniskis. The return of the Hemi also sees the introduction of a new badge featuring a Ram's head pushing forward, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is calling the badge the 'Symbol of Protest'. The Hemi V8 continues to feature cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, as well as the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which includes idle stop/start and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking. It also enables up to 176Nm of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in. In total, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque. The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Standard Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, while the High Output tune well and truly blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm. This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s much quicker than the V8 vehicles they replaced, while also consuming less petrol. Currently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we've never gotten the base naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 offered in low-end versions of the 1500 in North America. While the 5.7-litre has returned, there's no word yet on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX. With the move to an all six-cylinder lineup here for the MY25 1500, Ram Trucks Australia ceded V8 power to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its current generation, while Ford doesn't bring V8-powered versions of the F-150 Down Under. MORE: Everything Ram 1500 Content originally sourced from: The Ram 1500's new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six may produce more power and torque than the Hemi V8 it replaced, but it doesn't have the same sound. Fret not, though – that distinctive burble is coming back. After dropping it for model year 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with vehicles arriving in US dealerships in the northern summer (June to August). Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the top spot late last year, was candid about the Hemi's return. "Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it," he said. "We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers." Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But there's no guarantee it'll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup. "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," said a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson. "As with any development, we will continue to review and evaluate what options are made available to us from the vast Ram catalogue in the US. "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 in-line 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." Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. That would make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, should it be approved for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised more than just aesthetic tweaks, with other changes including upgraded infotainment, so this isn't as simple as just figuratively flicking a switch. Indeed, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's electrical architecture. In the US, the Hemi will be offered across every trim level bar the sporty RHO and luxurious Tungsten, which will be offered exclusively with the High Output version of the Hurricane six. For the Limited and Longhorn, which also come standard with the high-output six, the Hemi will be a no-cost option. Ram has stood behind the new Hurricane engine in the US, which is also used by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge brand this year. "Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic Hemi V8," said Mr Kuniskis. The return of the Hemi also sees the introduction of a new badge featuring a Ram's head pushing forward, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is calling the badge the 'Symbol of Protest'. The Hemi V8 continues to feature cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, as well as the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which includes idle stop/start and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking. It also enables up to 176Nm of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in. In total, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque. The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Standard Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, while the High Output tune well and truly blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm. This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s much quicker than the V8 vehicles they replaced, while also consuming less petrol. Currently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we've never gotten the base naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 offered in low-end versions of the 1500 in North America. While the 5.7-litre has returned, there's no word yet on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX. With the move to an all six-cylinder lineup here for the MY25 1500, Ram Trucks Australia ceded V8 power to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its current generation, while Ford doesn't bring V8-powered versions of the F-150 Down Under. MORE: Everything Ram 1500 Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
5 days ago
- 7NEWS
Ram 1500 revives Hemi V8 as brand fixes "mistake", Australian return unconfirmed
The Ram 1500's new Hurricane twin-turbo inline six may produce more power and torque than the Hemi V8 it replaced, but it doesn't have the same sound. Fret not, though – that distinctive burble is coming back. After dropping it for model year 2025 (MY25), Ram will return the 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 to the 1500 lineup for MY26, with vehicles arriving in US dealerships in the northern summer (June to August). Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis, who returned to the top spot late last year, was candid about the Hemi's return. 'Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it,' he said. 'We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.' Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. But there's no guarantee it'll return to the Australian-market 1500 lineup. '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,' said a Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson. 'As with any development, we will continue to review and evaluate what options are made available to us from the vast Ram catalogue in the US. '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 in-line 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.' Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. That would make a Hemi V8-equipped 1500 a late 2026 or early 2027 proposition, should it be approved for our market. The 2025 facelift comprised more than just aesthetic tweaks, with other changes including upgraded infotainment, so this isn't as simple as just figuratively flicking a switch. Indeed, Mr Kuniskis had confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's electrical architecture. In the US, the Hemi will be offered across every trim level bar the sporty RHO and luxurious Tungsten, which will be offered exclusively with the High Output version of the Hurricane six. For the Limited and Longhorn, which also come standard with the high-output six, the Hemi will be a no-cost option. Ram has stood behind the new Hurricane engine in the US, which is also used by Jeep and is being rolled out to the Dodge brand this year. 'Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and more efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic Hemi V8,' said Mr Kuniskis. The return of the Hemi also sees the introduction of a new badge featuring a Ram's head pushing forward, powered by a Hemi V8 engine block. Ram is calling the badge the 'Symbol of Protest'. The Hemi V8 continues to feature cylinder deactivation to help reduce fuel consumption, as well as the eTorque 48V mild-hybrid system which includes idle stop/start and smooths transitions under acceleration and braking. It also enables up to 176Nm of torque to be available on initial throttle tip-in. In total, the Hemi V8 produces 295kW of power and 556Nm of torque. The Hurricane has hardly been downgraded to a tropical storm. Even in Standard Output tune it pumps out 313kW and 635Nm, while the High Output tune well and truly blows the Hemi over with 403kW and 707Nm. This makes all Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s much quicker than the V8 vehicles they replaced, while also consuming less petrol. Currently, all facelifted 2025 Ram 1500s in Australia use these two tunes of the Hurricane; we've never gotten the base naturally aspirated Pentastar V6 offered in low-end versions of the 1500 in North America. While the 5.7-litre has returned, there's no word yet on the return of the supercharged 6.2-litre that powered the defunct TRX. With the move to an all six-cylinder lineup here for the MY25 1500, Ram Trucks Australia ceded V8 power to rival Chevrolet. The Toyota Tundra moved to a six-cylinder lineup globally with its current generation, while Ford doesn't bring V8-powered versions of the F-150 Down Under.
