by Celebrating Success and Getting Back on Track
During a media briefing in Detroit, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis marked the year since his return to Stellantis in 2024. A lot has happened in that time, but now the Ram brand is back on the right track and ready for success.
Review: The Ram 1500 with the Hemi V8 Engine is Worse on Paper, but Better in Reality
While there is much to celebrate, one of the biggest achievements has been the return of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine for the Ram 1500. Some people might perceive this as just another engine modification, but it is far from it, as evidenced by the company receiving over 10,000 orders in the first 24 hours.
Hemi Outpaces Hurricane by a Two-to-One Margin
As Kuniskis noted, Hemi is essentially a separate brand. It’s hard to argue with that, and the energetic executive has the numbers to prove it. He explained that sales of vehicles with the Hemi are approximately double those of models with the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Hurricane engine.
This is undoubtedly partly due to pent-up demand and the engine’s recent return, but Ram buyers clearly want the Hemi’s power. And this creates a certain problem, as the company cannot produce the 5.7-liter V8 engines fast enough.
Good Problems and Production Constraints
This is a good problem to have, especially considering this engine is a $1,200 option compared to the turbocharged inline-six. However, the situation is far from ideal, as Hemi units are still “trickling” out of the factory in limited batches.
In an ideal world, Kuniskis would like to have an additional 100,000 Hemi engines at his disposal. Nevertheless, he is pleased with how things are going and noted that the situation should improve over time.
Unfortunately, supply constraints are affecting availability, and consumers are likely to find only two trim levels with the Hemi engine at dealerships. These are presumably the Big Horn and Laramie models, which are the highest-volume ones.
Model Selection and Alternatives
This means finding a Hemi in Warlock, Limited, or Limited Longhorn versions might be difficult. If you are firmly set on that specific combination, your best bet is probably to place a custom order and wait.
Of course, settling for the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six wouldn’t be the worst choice in the world either, as it produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. That’s 25 hp and 50 lb-ft more than the Hemi V8 engine.
This case clearly demonstrates that technical specifications on paper are not always the deciding factor for buyers. Demand for time-tested, emotional technologies like the Hemi V8 engine remains exceptionally high even in an era where the latest turbo engines offer more power and efficiency. The success of the Hemi shows that for many car enthusiasts, an engine’s sound, character, and reputation can be more important than dry numbers. It also poses challenges for manufacturers, who must balance nostalgia and innovation, market demand and production capabilities.
