RAM 1500 HEMI V8 Returns to the UAE: What Buyers Need to Know

Dubai: Al-Futtaim, the official RAM distributor in the UAE, has confirmed the return of the legendary 5.7-litre HEMI V8 to the RAM 1500 line-up. It's a big deal for buyers who never warmed to smaller turbocharged engines and simply wanted the sound and character of a naturally aspirated V8 back on the options list, especially with the newer 2026 RAM 1500 range also introducing a High-Output 3.0L Hurricane I6 as its most powerful engine option yet. 

Here's everything confirmed so far for UAE buyers.

The 5.7L HEMI V8 Is Back, With eTorque

The returning HEMI V8 is paired with RAM's eTorque mild-hybrid system, which uses an electric motor-generator to support the engine in certain driving conditions. RAM says the goal is to keep the V8's signature performance and sound intact while improving everyday drivability and efficiency. The move is being promoted under RAM's "We Heard You" campaign, a direct response to customers who kept asking for the V8's return.

"RAM has always been built alongside the people who drive these legendary trucks every day," said Carlos Montenegro, Managing Director at Al-Futtaim Trading Enterprises. "The return of the legendary HEMI V8 is a celebration of this trusted relationship and of everything that makes RAM, RAM."

Which Trims Get the V8

The HEMI V8 is available across three UAE trims:

Trim	Focus
Rebel	Off-road capability
Limited	Everyday luxury
Limited Night Edition	Limited spec, darker styling

Rebel: Built for Off-Road

The Rebel is the off-road-focused option, pairing the V8 with performance-tuned suspension, an electronic locking rear differential, skid plates and all-terrain tyres, plus a sport performance hood for a more rugged look. Inside, it gets a 14.5-inch Uconnect touchscreen, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

Limited and Limited Night Edition: Luxury Focus

The Limited trades some of the Rebel's off-road hardware for genuine cabin luxury, five-seat leather upholstery, real wood trim, the same 14.5-inch Uconnect display and Harman Kardon sound system, plus its own dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The Night Edition builds on this with 22-inch black aluminium wheels and darker exterior trim accents throughout.

Tech and Safety Across the Range

RAM's broader 2026 1500 line-up leans heavily on technology and safety, and much of it carries across the V8 trims too.

• Up to 24 inches of combined touchscreen space, and over 50 inches of total available digital display area
• 10.25-inch front passenger interactive display and a 12-inch digital driver cluster on higher trims
• Class-exclusive dual wireless charging pads
• Five selectable drive modes: Normal, Tow, Snow, Sport and Off-Road
• More than 100 standard and available safety and security features, including Evasive Steer Assist

For a closer look at how this engine actually performs and what else has changed, our earlier coverage of the revived HEMI engine and features goes deeper. 

Pricing and Availability

The 2026 RAM 1500 range starts from AED 199,900 in the UAE, with the HEMI V8 available now across the Rebel, Limited and Limited Night Edition trims through Al-Futtaim showrooms.

And if you're weighing the RAM 1500 against other upcoming Stellantis-family launches in the region, our piece on what UAE drivers can expect from the Jeep Scrambler, Dodge Copperhead and RAM SUV is worth a read too.

Our Take

The HEMI V8's return says a lot about what UAE truck buyers actually want, and it isn't always the newest turbocharged tech. There's a loyal audience here for the sound, character and simplicity of a proper naturally aspirated V8, and pairing it with eTorque instead of dropping it altogether is a smart middle ground between nostalgia and modern efficiency. 

Combined with the Rebel's serious off-road hardware and the Limited's genuine luxury touches, this feels like RAM listening to its UAE customer base rather than just following a global spec sheet. For buyers cross-shopping full-size pickups right now, it's a genuine reason to put the RAM 1500 back on the test-drive list.

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