The HEMI V8 is finally back in the Ram 1500, and that headline alone should be enough to light up forums and dealer phone lines. Just three months after announcing the return of the 5.7-liter V8, the first 2026 models are already shipping from the Sterling Heights facility in Michigan to dealerships across the nation. For Ram loyalists and Mopar fans, it marks the end of a short-lived phase without a traditional eight-cylinder option. As for Stellantis, it is part of a bigger plan to reconnect with American truck buyers.
When Ram announced the HEMI’s comeback in June, customers responded immediately. More than 10,000 orders rolled in within the first 24 hours, proving there’s still strong demand for V8s in a market increasingly moving toward hybrids and EVs. The HEMI will be available in trims ranging from the entry-level Tradesman to the premium Limited and Longhorn, with the Rebel joining later in the model year. Each truck also now features a new fender badge, called the “Symbol of Protest,” designed to emphasize the American truck brand’s decision to preserve eight-cylinder gasoline power.
The 5.7-liter HEMI has long been known as a dependable workhorse, delivering 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. It now comes paired with Ram’s eTorque mild-hybrid system, which employs a belt-driven motor generator and a 48-volt battery pack to improve fuel efficiency, add low-end torque, and smooth out stop-start operation. It is not a full hybrid and only a mild hybrid; the system provides up to 130 pound-feet of supplemental torque during acceleration and stop-and-go traffic. In the real world, that should make the V8 feel more responsive and slightly more efficient than the old setup, particularly when it comes to towing or hauling. If you’re concerned about fuel costs, eTorque makes the HEMI more livable without dulling its character.
Now Ram is not alone in selling a V8 full-size pickup truck. Ford still offers the good ol’ 5.0-liter Coyote in the F-150, and GM has its 6.2-liter option for the Silverado. The difference is strategy, as Ford is leaning hard into the Lightning EV and hybrid EcoBoosts, while GM is pushing electrification but facing slow EV rollouts. Ram, meanwhile, is carving a middle path when it comes to electrification, all while keeping the V8 alive. This approach carries risk, especially with tightening emissions rules, but it may pay off in market share if potential buyers reward the Ram brand for preserving choice.
But this HEMI comeback goes far beyond the pavement, because in 2026, the Ram will return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series after a 13-year absence. Branded under the “Ramdemption” campaign, the comeback ties racing directly to production trucks. The Ram 1500 NASCAR Concept unveiled earlier this year packs a V8 that can rev to 9,000 rpm. Stellantis has 25 product launches planned over the next 18 months, and NASCAR visibility should give Ram an American performance stage alongside rivals Ford and Chevy.
Much of this strategy comes down to leadership. Recently appointed Stellantis Global CEO Antonio Filosa roped in Tim Kuniskis, the architect of Dodge’s Hellcat and Demon era, to continue running Ram while also overseeing Stellantis’ North American marketing and retail strategy. Dealers, who had been frustrated with Stellantis’ previous leadership and bloated inventories across most of its American brands, see Kuniskis as someone who understands both the product and the buyer.
Under his watch, Stellantis has also revived Street & Racing Technology( SRT), recommitted to motorsports, and delivered the HEMI’s comeback in record time. Whether this dual push, production V8s with modern hybrid assist and a NASCAR comeback, can restore Stellantis’ footing in North America is something that needs to be seen. Watch this space.
Source: Stellantis