The iconic Hemi V8 engine is reaching the end of the line after being taken out of production in a number of mass-market models, but it could be saved by one heavy-duty vehicle.
Production of the Hemi V8-powered Ram 1500 recently wrapped up, with the refreshed model packing the new Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline six instead.
Stellantis has also dropped the Hemi V8 from the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, while the latest Dodge Charger will be offered with only Hurricane or electric power.
However, while the Hemi V8 is entering what’s expected to be its final model years in the Dodge Durango SUV and Jeep Wrangler off-roader overseas, the Ram 2500 pickup could further extend its stay of execution if this new concept is anything to go by.
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Ram 2500 Power Wagon Concept
The Ram 2500 Power Wagon Concept is due to make its debut at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas this week, based on the facelifted version of the heavy-duty pickup which is yet to hit showrooms.
Previous images of the updated 2500 have only shown it wearing Cummins logos on its front wheel arches, hinting it’ll continue with the 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline six.
There had been no mention of the 6.4-litre Hemi petrol V8 which is currently available in the US-market 2500, but the SEMA-bound Power Wagon Concept retains this very engine.
Stellantis – the parent of Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler, among others – has previously previewed production models through its SEMA concepts, suggesting the Hemi V8 isn’t dead yet in the Ram 2500.
Ram 1500 Hemi
There is however bad news for Australian fans, as the Ram 2500 and the 3500 are exclusively powered by the Cummins turbo-diesel in our market, with Hemi V8s only offered in 2015 for a short production run.
In good news, you can still buy a new Hemi V8-powered vehicle in Australia, as the 1500 is currently in runout ahead of the arrival of its six-cylinder successor.
You can also buy a Hemi V8 through Mopar, the performance division of Jeep and Dodge, who released 6.2-litre supercharged and 6.4-litre naturally aspirated Hemi V8s as crate engines.
The 6.4-litre, 361kW/644Nm V8 from the Grand Cherokee SRT is priced from $17,600, while the Trackhawk’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8 – which pushed out 522kW and 868Nm in the SUV – is $31,900.
MORE: 2025 Ram 2500, 3500: Heavy-duty pickups wear a polarising face
