Ram’s 1500 Pickups Are Returning to the V8 Option Truck Fans Really Want

When Ram reintroduced the 5.7-liter Hemi to the 1500 pickup, the brand was so proud of the moment that it even designed a “symbol of protest” badge in celebration.

It’s a little ironic, honestly. Because although the move did mark the return of a V8 once dropped in the name of emissions, its revival was accompanied by eTorque tech. Yep, a mild hybrid.

Stellantis

But now it seems the brand is ready to prove its commitment once again. If the latest reports are to be believed, Ram will soon drop eTorque from its 1500 pickups in favor of the simpler, gas-only setup.

Down with Hemi eTorque

The confirmation comes courtesy of Mopar Insiders, as the outlet received word from a spokesperson stating that “Starting early in the 2027 model year, Ram will phase out the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 eTorque, replacing it with the non-hybridized version of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8.”

Stellantis

Mind you, when the truck brand first introduced its eTorque tech in 2019, it continued to offer the Hemi-only option alongside it. However, eventually (even before the V8’s hiatus in 2025), Ram made the truck exclusively available in hybrid form.

Now, that’s not with good reason. As Ram’s eTorque system incorporates a belt-driven motor-generator connected to a 48-volt battery in place of an alternator, it not only recharges the 12-volt battery and accessories but also works to reduce emissions and improve gas mileage.

Stellantis

That once made it a requirement for the truck to remain compliant, especially as Ram worked to reintroduce the 5.7-liter Hemi. However, between regulatory rollbacks and additional development time, the brand’s non-eTorque setup is once again a viable option.

The cost of complexity

Now, that isn’t without some downsides. Along with saving drivers a little fuel, Ram’s eTorque system provided up to an extra 130 lb-ft of torque to the V8 upon take-off.

Stellantis

It’s also responsible for the pickup’s auto stop/start function. As a result, though Ram’s 5.7-liter Hemi trucks will continue to feature cylinder deactivation, they’ll no longer cut the engine off when at traffic lights.

In that sense, Ram’s decision to drop the eTorque is bound to be a boon for truck owners who like to keep things more traditional. By going with gas-only power once again, the pickup would ditch 120 pounds of hybrid hardware.

Moreover, this makes it a less complicated setup. Seeing as some owners have experienced everything from stalling and starting trouble to outright MGU failure, the return to simplicity should result in a little peace of mind.

Stellantis

If nothing else, though, it’ll feel like a truck that Ram fans know. In the absence of any hybrid assist, it’ll start, stop and haul once again like a traditional Hemi rig.

A staggered roll-out

According to Mopar Insiders, “A limited number of 2027 model year Ram 1500s will be built with the eTorque powertrain during the production transition.”

As such, even though Ram will eventually kill off its eTorque Hemis altogether, it won’t be doing so in one fell swoop. At this stage, the brand has only announced its Rumble Bee and TRX pickups.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics