End of the line for Ram V8

Ram’s Hemi V8 has come to the end of the line.

The hybrid V8 will make way for a twin-turbo V6 in the next generation of Ram trucks.

For the history buffs the long-serving 5.7-litre engine, now combined with a hybrid, traces its roots all the way back to 1951.

The first generation was produced from 1951-1958, the second from 1964-1971, while the third and latest iteration appeared in pickup trucks from 2003.

Combined with a mild hybrid that powers cylinder deactivation and the stop/start engine functionality, the Hemi V8 delivers 291kW of power and 556Nm of torque, along with a characteristic V8 rumble.

The Hemi takes its name from the shape of the cylinder head’s combustion chamber, which features a scooped out half circle or hemisphere.

This allows the spark plugs to be positioned closer to shorten the burn distance of the air and fuel mixture.

The unique hemisphere shape meant domed pistons were used to produce sufficient compression, which resulted in an increase in engine power.

“Hemi V8s and RAM Trucks go hand in hand, so now’s the perfect time to grab a future classic,” said Jeff Barber, General Manager, RAM Trucks Australia.

“The legendary HEMI® V8 has been the rock-solid backbone of the RAM Trucks product line-up since the early 2000s, offering unrivalled drivability, outstanding towing capability and, of course, that unique V8 rumble for over 70 years in various incarnations.”

The 2025 Ram 1500 is offered with a choice of two twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engines.

The standard six delivers 313kW of power and 636Nm of torque, or 22kW and 80Nm more than the Hemi V8.

A high-output version produces a staggering 402kW and 706Nm.

What neither offer is the unmistakable sound of a V8.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, however the switch to a twin-turbo six-cylinder will leave Chevrolet’s Silverado as the only full-size pick-up with a V8 in Australia.

The good news is that it’s not too late to grab a V8-powered Ram 1500, now in runout.