It’s by no means simple to confess a mistake, however that’s what Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis did final month. The model had dropped the Hemi V-8 engine from the 1500 with the 2025 revamp, which some consumers didn’t like. Ram is rectifying that error for 2026, and it seems clients are looking forward to the engine’s return.

The automaker mentioned that it had obtained over 10,000 orders for the Hemi-powered 1500 throughout the first 24 hours after asserting its return. Kuniskis mentioned in Stellantis’s second-quarter gross sales outcomes that the model is already seeing “shopper curiosity spurred by the return of the Hemi V-8.”

Photograph by: Ram

Hemi Availability

Ram mentioned the V-8-powered 1500 will go on sale this summer time, every one carrying a particular “Image of Protest” badge. The 5.7-liter engine makes 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, because it did earlier than, whereas that includes the identical eTorque hybrid system. This was a method Ram might pace the event and get the truck on sale as rapidly as doable.

The engine is an non-compulsory improve for the 2026 1500, which prices as much as $1,200 on vehicles outfitted with the usual engine. Ram is providing the V-8 in Tradesman, Massive Horn, Specific, Warlock, Laramie, Restricted, and Longhorn trims to begin, with the Insurgent arriving later. The V-8 is a free improve on the Restricted and Longhorn, which comes customary with the high-output 3.0-liter inline-six high-output engine.

What Comes Subsequent

Again in April, Kuniskis mentioned Ram had 25 product launches scheduled for the following 18 months, and this is among the first. The model can be returning to NASCAR.

Nonetheless, it’s unclear what Ram will launch subsequent. There are rumors the TRX might return in 2026. And with the announcement that Stellantis is reviving SRT, it looks as if something and all the pieces is again on the desk, even passenger vans.