HEMI's Back? Ram CEO Hints at a V8 Comeback!

Update: industry insiders around the web are saying the 5.7 Hemi is coming back in May for the Ram 1500 and … Jeep! That might mean the Wrangler, with a cheaper alternative than the 6.4!

Hold your horses, HEMI fans! Ram CEO Tim Kuniskisk is teasing a possible return of the legendary V8 to the Ram 1500. But don't get too excited just yet, there are a few hurdles to clear first.

The HEMI's Hiatus: A Painful Goodbye

When Ram said goodbye to the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 in the 1500 series for 2025, it stung. Replacing that beast with the twin-turbo HURRICANE I6 was a bold move, but sales figures don't lie. A 16% drop year-to-date? Ouch. It seems like a lot of folks weren't ready to ditch the V8 rumble.

I get it. There's just something about that HEMI sound and the raw power it delivers that gets under your skin. It's not just an engine; it's a statement.

The Roadblocks: It Ain't That Simple

So, what's stopping Ram from just slapping the HEMI back in? Kuniskis points to the updated Atlantis electrical architecture. Apparently, it's not playing nice with the old V8. Plus, suppliers have stopped making the eTorque version, which means retooling and reengineering. That's a whole lot of work and investment.

Kuniskis himself said, "Even if you said let's do it, we can't do it right away." Talk about a tease!

A Glimmer of Hope: Never Say Never

But here's the kicker: Kuniskis didn't completely shut the door on the HEMI's return. "I didn't say you can't do it... you can't do it right away." That's enough to get any gearhead's hopes up.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll see that glorious V8 back in the Ram 1500 someday. Until then, you can still get your HEMI fix with the 6.4-liter in the Heavy Duty models. It's not the same, but it'll do in a pinch.

What Does It All Mean? Ram's Listening

This whole situation tells me one thing: Ram is paying attention to its customers. They see the backlash, they hear the complaints, and they're at least considering a change of course. Bringing back the HEMI would be a huge win for Ram loyalists and could give sales a serious boost.

It's a tough balancing act between tradition and innovation, but I'm glad to see Ram is willing to listen to its fans. Or at least is appears to be ... We'll see what the future holds.