Ram rethinks return of 1500 TRX V8

PUSH-BACK from rusted-on V8 lovers in the United States has prompted a rethink at Ram Trucks, the company reportedly planning to reintroduce its Hemi V8 engine in at least one version of its staple 1500 pick-up truck.

Intel from people close to the source say Ram Trucks will return Hemi V8 to the range in 2026, likely in the performance flagship 1500 TRX.

The news backs recent statements made by Ram Trucks boss Tim Kuniskis who said that “V8 is no longer a bad word around the company”; that statement directed at the reinstatement of the Hemi V8 to the new generation 1500 model, according to US website Mopar Insiders.

If the move goes ahead, it is expected the Hemi V8 range will complement the new Hurricane twin-turbo six-cylinder engine offered elsewhere in the 1500 range.

“It is rumoured the new TRX will be more powerful. While we can’t confirm whether it will be a simple retune of the Hellcat V8 to push it to 717 horsepower (535 kW) – 15hp more than the outgoing TRX — or if it will use the stockpile of leftover 797 horsepower (594 kW) Hellcat Redeye engines, we’re certainly hoping for the latter,” the Mopar Insiders report enthused.

The website reported that internet forums were abuzz with rumours of sweeping changes at the Stellantis-owned company which is reportedly planning a “course correction” following the departure of former CEO Carlos Tavares.

Based on what it says are reliable sources, Mopar Insiders confirmed that “the Ram TRX will indeed make a comeback in 2026 — and yes, it will have Hemi V8 power under the hood”.

The news will no doubt go a long way to assuage performance “truck” enthusiasts who’ve been hoping for the return of the TRX’s legendary power and capability.

Mopar Insiders said former Ram Trucks advertising director Jeff Summers started the ball rolling when he hinted at a possible return of the TRX during the initial launch of the 1500 RHO (pictured) when describing details about the original debut commercial.

“At that time, it was speculated that such a model would likely be based on a higher-horsepower variant of the Hurricane I6,” he said.

“However, with Tavares now gone, it looks like Tim Kuniskis is tapping into the stockpile of supercharged Hemi V8s left over.”

The website says “it remains unclear if Stellantis will retool for production of the Hellcat and Redeye engines, but it makes sense that they would continue using the existing stockpile of engines, much like they have been doing with the Durango.”

Mopar Insiders further said that similar moves to reinstate the V8 are expected at Dodge where six-cylinder and electric powered Charger models have copped a pasting from customer who “just want big capacity petrol engines”.

Expect to hear more on the return of the Hemi V8 as news on the matter evolves.