Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis does not frame the HEMI V8’s return to the 1500 as a strategic pivot. He calls it fixing a mistake.
“Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi,” he said. “We own it and we fixed it.”
The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is back in the 2026 Ram 1500, available on most trims as a $1,200 option. Next to it at the 2026 New York International Auto Show sits the 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX, a supercharged Hellcat truck making 777 hp for $99,995. Together they form a V8 revival that Stellantis is marketing as an act of defiance.
Key Takeaways
- 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque returns to the Ram 1500 at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, a $1,200 upgrade on most trims
- 10,000 orders in the first 24 hours after the HEMI’s return was announced
- 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX: supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8, 777 hp, 680 lb-ft, 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, $99,995 MSRP
- TRX undercuts the Ford Raptor R by $11,000 while making 57 more horsepower
- First SRT badge on a Ram truck since the Viper-powered SRT-10 ended in 2006
- “Symbol of Protest” fender badge on HEMI-equipped trucks, designed by the Ram design team
- Ram sales dropped 41% from 2019 to 2024 as the brand shifted away from V8s
Why the HEMI Came Back
When the redesigned 2025 Ram 1500 launched exclusively with the Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, the reaction was immediate. The Hurricane is objectively the better engine. The standard-output version makes 420 hp with better fuel economy than the HEMI. The high-output version produces 540 hp. On paper, the V8 lost every comparison.
Customers did not care.
Ram’s market share fell from 17.8 percent to 8.4 percent between 2019 and 2024. Sales dropped 41 percent. Kuniskis, who returned to lead Ram after the HEMI was removed, was blunt about the backlash: “The bigger issue is we took away a fundamental American thing. Americans love freedom of choice more than anything.”
An internal “F-15” engineering task force compressed an 18-month integration timeline to roughly six months. The HEMI V8 with 48-volt eTorque mild hybrid began shipping from Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan on August 29, 2025. Ram put a “Symbol of Protest” badge on the fender of every HEMI-equipped truck, featuring ram’s head imagery with HEMI V8 block graphics. A manufacturer branding a powertrain option as protest against its own previous decision is unusual in the industry.
2026 Ram 1500 HEMI V8 Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.7L HEMI V8 with 48V eTorque mild hybrid |
| Power | 395 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 410 lb-ft @ 3,950 rpm (+ 130 lb-ft supplemental from eTorque) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 16 city / 20 hwy / 18 combined mpg (est.) |
| Towing | Up to 11,470 lbs |
| Payload | Up to 1,750 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 33 gallons |
| Availability | Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited, Longhorn |
| Not Available On | Tungsten, RHO (High-Output Hurricane exclusive) |
| Price | $1,200 upgrade on most trims; no-cost option on Limited and Longhorn |
HEMI vs. Hurricane: The Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
The HEMI makes less power than the Hurricane it sits alongside. The standard Hurricane produces 420 hp and 469 lb-ft. The high-output Hurricane develops 540 hp and 521 lb-ft. Both return better fuel economy. The HEMI’s 18 mpg combined trails the high-output Hurricane’s 21 combined, despite the Hurricane delivering 145 more horsepower.
The argument for the HEMI is not rational. It is the exhaust note, the throttle response character, the cultural weight of a pushrod V8 in a full-size truck. Rebel and Laramie G/T models get a factory Mopar cat-back exhaust that leans into the sound. Ten thousand people ordered the truck in the first 24 hours.
That is the argument.
2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX: 777 Horsepower, $99,995
The original TRX ran from 2021 to 2024 with a 702-hp supercharged Hellcat V8. It was discontinued alongside the broader Hellcat family as Stellantis prepared for tighter emissions standards. Now it returns with 75 more horsepower and the first SRT badge on a Ram truck since the Viper V10-powered SRT-10 ended production in 2006.
The supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 puts out 777 hp and 680 lb-ft of torque through a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic and BorgWarner full-time active four-wheel drive. The 0-to-60 sprint takes 3.5 seconds, two-tenths faster than the original TRX. A Dana 60 rear axle with electronic locking differential handles the power. Second-generation Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive shocks provide roughly 13 inches of front travel and 14 inches at the rear. Ground clearance is 11.8 inches on 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires.
A dual-path air induction system pulls through both the grille and a functional hood scoop, with a “tortuous path” design that forces debris out before the filter. This solved a limitation of the original TRX, whose restrictive intake was the main reason it was capped at 702 hp despite the Hellcat engine producing more in other applications.
2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Supercharged 6.2L HEMI Hellcat V8 |
| Power | 777 hp / 680 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 3.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 118 mph |
| Transmission | TorqueFlite 8HP95 8-speed automatic |
| Transfer Case | BorgWarner 48-13 full-time active 4×4 |
| Rear Axle | Dana 60, electronic locking differential |
| Shocks | Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive |
| Ground Clearance | 11.8 inches |
| Tires | 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler AT (beadlock-capable wheels available) |
| Suspension Travel | ~13″ front / ~14″ rear |
| Towing | Up to 8,100 lbs |
| MSRP | $99,995 (+ $2,595 destination) |
| On Sale | Second half of 2026 |
TRX vs. Raptor R
The Ford F-150 Raptor R is the direct competitor. At $113,525, the Raptor R costs roughly $11,000 more than the TRX while making 720 hp to the TRX’s 777. The Raptor R has advantages in ground clearance (13.1 inches versus 11.8) and runs 37-inch tires versus the TRX’s 35-inch rubber. The TRX counters with hands-free Active Drive Assist, a first in the high-performance truck segment, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
The TRX arrives at the show floor in the Bloodshot Night Edition, wearing a Flame Red center hood stripe and splash graphics over a blacked-out body, with carbon-fiber interior trim and a glass-enclosed center console badge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ram bring back the HEMI V8?
Customer demand. When the 2025 Ram 1500 launched without the V8, backlash was immediate and sales declined sharply. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis called the removal a mistake: “Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi.” An internal task force compressed the engineering timeline from 18 months to six. The HEMI drew 10,000 orders in its first 24 hours back.
How much does the HEMI cost on the 2026 Ram 1500?
The 5.7L HEMI V8 is a $1,200 upgrade over the standard Hurricane inline-six on most trims (Tradesman through Rebel). On Limited and Longhorn trims, it is a no-cost alternative to the High-Output Hurricane. The HEMI is not available on the Tungsten or RHO trims.
Is the HEMI better than the Hurricane engine?
On paper, no. The standard Hurricane makes 420 hp versus the HEMI’s 395 hp, with better fuel economy (approximately 21 mpg combined versus 18). The High-Output Hurricane makes 540 hp. The HEMI’s appeal is its V8 character, exhaust note, and cultural significance rather than measurable performance advantages.
How much horsepower does the 2027 Ram TRX make?
The 2027 TRX produces 777 hp and 680 lb-ft from a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8, a 75 hp increase over the original TRX’s 702 hp. It reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. MSRP is $99,995 plus $2,595 destination.
How does the 2027 TRX compare to the Ford Raptor R?
The TRX makes 777 hp for $102,590 (with destination). The Raptor R makes 720 hp for $113,525. The Raptor R has more ground clearance (13.1 vs. 11.8 inches) and larger 37-inch tires. The TRX offers hands-free highway driving assistance and a lower price. Both reach 60 mph in approximately 3.5 seconds.
What is the “Symbol of Protest” badge?
A fender-mounted badge designed by the Ram design team for every HEMI-equipped 2026 Ram 1500. It features a ram’s head graphic combined with HEMI V8 block imagery. Ram is deliberately marketing the V8’s return as an act of defiance against the decision to remove it.
When does the 2027 Ram TRX go on sale?
The second half of 2026. It launches as a single fully equipped configuration at $99,995 MSRP. The Bloodshot Night Edition is also available at launch. The HEMI-equipped Ram 1500 has been shipping since August 2025.
Is the HEMI V8 going away again?
There is no announced end date. Current EPA emissions enforcement has been relaxed, which reduces near-term compliance pressure. However, legal challenges to those relaxations are ongoing. Buyers concerned about long-term V8 availability may want to act while the option exists.
Sources and Additional Reading
- Stellantis Media: 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI V8 Shipping
- MoparInsiders: 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX
- The Drive: 2027 Ram TRX
Article Last Updated: April 12, 2026.
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Michael Kahn is the publisher of The Weekly Driver, serving as writer, photographer, and content creator. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for adventure, he specializes in uncovering the stories and experiences of automobile enthusiasts. Michael’s work is inspired by his love for off-the-beaten-path road trips, global exploration, and the pursuit of exceptional culinary experiences, all captured through the lens of a world traveler and automotive enthusiast.