Ram Is Killing Its V8 Engines, But Says That’s Good News

The Ram 1500 pickup is going to sound a lot different next year.

The brand announced in August that the Ram 1500 TRX and its 702 hp supercharged V8 would be discontinued at the end of this year and has now confirmed that all of the V8-powered 1500 trucks are following suit.

Ram will be replacing them in the updated 2025 model unveiled on Tuesday with the “Hurricane” 3.0-liter straight-six-cylinder turbocharged engine that debuted in the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

The so-called “SST” will be available in a version rated at 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque along with a high output “H/O” tune with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft.

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Both are more powerful than the current 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which is rated at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, and will also be more fuel efficient, though Ram hasn’t yet said by how much. The maximum payload and towing capacities will be up to 2,300 pounds and 11,580 pounds, respectively, depending on the model.

Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said the aluminum block Hurricane is the strongest engine the company has ever made, in order to withstand the 28 pounds of boost the turbos provide, and called it a “combustion bunker.”

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will continue to be the base engine, while the all-electric 1500 REV and plug-in hybrid 1500 Ramcharger will join the lineup late in the year.

The Ram 1500’s exterior styling has been mildly updated with new headlights and grilles and it will continue to be offered in the familiar Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn and Limited trims, with two additions to the mix.

The new top of the line Ram 1500 is called the Tungsten and includes features like textured metal trim, a suede-upholstered headliner and roof pillars, 24-way adjustable massaging seats, a 23-speaker Klipsch audio system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger that can play videos that are hidden from the driver’s view with a special filter.

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The Tungsten’s exterior also gets a unique treatment with a bumper that’s integrated into the front end more like an SUV’s and a power up and down tailgate with obstacle detection.

The not yet revealed Ram 1500 RHO (Ram High Output) will essentially take the spot vacated by the TRX when it goes on sale in the third quarter of 2024 with the 540 hp Hurricane and a high performance off-road suspension system. Kuniskis said the TRX name and the level of performance that goes with it will be “on the shelf” for now.

A Level 2+ hands-free highway driving system will be among the electronic driver aids available for the Ram 1500.

All of the redesigned 2025 Ram 1500s are slated to be built at Ram’s Sterling Heights, Mich., factory and pricing will be released closer to when they go on sale in early 2024.

Ram isn’t expected to eliminate V8s from its heavy duty models anytime soon, but is exploring ideas for the future, including using hydrogen fuel cells instead of batteries.