Stellantis has reversed course, reintroducing the iconic 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid technology for the 2026 Ram 1500, admitting its mistake in dropping the V8 for the 2025 model year. Announced on June 5, 2025, the decision, driven by returning Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, responds to fierce customer backlash and slumping sales after the V8’s removal. The 2026 lineup, featuring a “Symbol of Protest” badge, aims to reclaim Ram’s position in the competitive full-size pickup market against Ford and GM. This article explores the HEMI’s return, its specifications, Stellantis’ challenges, and the broader context, drawing on recent reports and fan sentiment.
The HEMI V8’s Return: A Customer-Driven Reversal
The 2026 Ram 1500 marks the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt eTorque system that adds up to 130 lb-ft during initial acceleration. Available across trims—Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel (late availability), Limited, and Longhorn—the V8 offers a towing capacity of up to 11,470 lbs and a payload of 1,750 lbs. Each V8-equipped model sports a fender-mounted “Symbol of Protest” badge, a nod to fans who demanded its reinstatement, per autoevolution.com.
Stellantis’ decision follows a disastrous 2025 model year, where the removal of the HEMI V8, including the 6.2-liter supercharged version in the Ram 1500 TRX, alienated loyal customers. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, reinstated to address the fallout, candidly admitted, “Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi—we own it, and we fixed it.” The move was prompted by a 15% U.S. sales drop in 2024 and a 14% revenue decline in Q1 2025, with global shipments falling 9%, per finance.yahoo.com. Posts on X celebrated the reversal, with @CarBizToday stating, “The HEMI is back… a direct response to strong consumer demand,” and @Lonso0 calling it Stellantis’ “first good decision in a long time.”
Why Stellantis Backtracked
The HEMI’s removal for 2025, intended to meet stricter emissions regulations, replaced the V8 with a 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six, offering up to 540 hp in high-output trims like the RHO and Tungsten. While more powerful, the Hurricane lacked the V8’s iconic rumble and heritage, which Kuniskis acknowledged as a misstep that “left a sour taste” with buyers, per TheStreet. The absence of the V8, combined with delays in launching the electric Ram 1500 REV (now pushed to 2027) and range-extended Ramcharger (Q1 2026), led to a “recipe for disaster,” with Ram slipping behind Ford’s F-Series and GM’s combined Silverado/Sierra sales.
Customer feedback, amplified by social media and declining sales, forced Stellantis’ hand. Kuniskis, a HEMI advocate, leveraged his return to prioritize the V8’s revival, with production restarting in July 2025 at Dundee, Michigan, per a leaked document cited by autoevolution.com. The decision also aligns with Stellantis’ broader strategy under new CEO Antonio Filosa, appointed May 28, 2025, to address tariff pressures, plant uncertainties, and market missteps.
Specifications and Features
The 2026 Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8 retains its Gen III architecture, paired with an 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and the eTorque mild-hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency and low-end torque. Key specs include:
- Power: 395 hp, 410 lb-ft (plus 130 lb-ft eTorque boost).
- Towing: Up to 11,470 lbs.
- Payload: Up to 1,750 lbs.
- Trims: Available in Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, Limited, Longhorn.
- Badge: “Symbol of Protest” fender emblem.
The eTorque system, using a 48-volt battery, enhances start-stop functionality and acceleration, though fuel economy details are undisclosed. The lineup retains high-margin trims like Tungsten, but the V8’s return targets traditional buyers, with pricing starting around $40,000 for base models, per slashgear.com. X user @cole_marzen highlighted the V8’s appeal, noting its “395 hp and Symbol of Protest badge” as a fan-focused touch.
Stellantis’ Broader Challenges
Stellantis’ HEMI revival is a step toward redemption, but the automaker faces significant hurdles:
- Sales Decline: A 12% Q1 2025 sales drop in North America, with Ram’s market share eroding against Ford and GM.
- EV Delays: The Ram 1500 REV, initially slated for 2024, is delayed to summer 2027 (2028 model), and the Ramcharger to Q1 2026, due to slowing EV demand and quality validation needs.
- Tariff Pressures: U.S. tariffs on Canadian production, like the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T in Windsor, Ontario, complicate costs, with Stellantis reassessing its strategy.
- Plant Uncertainty: The Belvidere, Illinois, Jeep plant’s production restart, promised for 2027, remains uncertain, raising UAW concerns.
New CEO Filosa, previously Jeep’s head, must navigate these issues while restoring brand trust. The HEMI’s return, alongside plans for a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the 2026 Ram 1500 TRX, signals a commitment to gas-powered performance amid EV delays.
Competitive Landscape
The 2026 Ram 1500 with HEMI V8 re-enters a fierce full-size pickup market:
- Ford F-150: America’s best-seller, offering a 5.0-liter V8 (400 hp) and hybrid options, with 320 miles of range in the F-150 Lightning.
- Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra: GM’s duo leads when combined, with a 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp) and 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp) options.
- Toyota Tundra: Features a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 (389 hp), phasing out V8s but gaining hybrid traction.
Ram’s V8 return targets loyalists, but Ford’s hybrid and EV offerings and GM’s broader engine range maintain their edge. X user @MotorWeek noted the HEMI’s 395 hp and eTorque pairing as a “fan favorite,” but competitors’ fuel efficiency and electrification challenge Ram’s gas-heavy focus.
Why the HEMI Matters
The HEMI V8’s cultural significance, tied to Ram’s rugged identity, made its removal a “sacrilege” for enthusiasts, per TheStreet. Its throaty roar and towing prowess resonate with buyers, unlike the Hurricane’s clinical efficiency. The “Symbol of Protest” badge, a marketing win, reflects Ram’s acknowledgment of fan loyalty, with @KingOfMopar1 on X calling it a “triumph for V8 fans.” However, the V8’s long-term viability is uncertain as emissions rules tighten and EVs gain traction, with Stellantis betting on solid-state batteries for 2026, per Benzinga.
Who Benefits?
The 2026 Ram 1500 V8 appeals to traditional truck buyers—contractors, off-roaders, and enthusiasts—who value power and heritage over electrification. Priced competitively, it targets Ford and GM loyalists seeking V8s. However, eco-conscious buyers may prefer Ford’s Lightning or await Ram’s delayed EVs. Stellantis gains a chance to rebuild trust, but only if execution matches hype, as Kuniskis’ “we fixed it” claim faces scrutiny.
Stellantis’ Strategic Shift
Under Filosa and Kuniskis, Stellantis is recalibrating. The HEMI’s return, alongside Dodge’s V8 revival for the 2026 Charger and Durango, prioritizes performance heritage while EVs like the Jeep Recon and Charger Daytona face delays. Investments in Sterling Heights ($235.5 million) for Ramcharger and REV production show long-term EV commitment, but gas-powered models bridge the gap. Filosa’s challenge is balancing tariffs, labor concerns, and EV transitions while leveraging high-margin V8 trims.
Conclusion
The 2026 Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8 revival, complete with eTorque and a “Symbol of Protest” badge, is Stellantis’ bold response to customer backlash and a 2025 sales slump. Driven by CEO Tim Kuniskis’ return, the move admits the mistake of dropping the V8, aiming to recapture Ram’s full-size pickup market share against Ford and GM. With 395 hp, 11,470 lbs towing, and broad trim availability, the HEMI targets loyalists, but EV delays and tariff pressures loom. As Ram rebuilds trust, the V8’s return is a fan-driven win, setting the stage for a potential 6.2-liter TRX comeback in 2026.
