The RAM 1500 HEMI V8 is officially back in the UAE. Al-Futtaim Trading Enterprises, the authorised RAM distributor, has reintroduced the 5.7-litre V8 across three trims after more than a year in which local buyers could only order the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six. The campaign line, "We Heard You", sums up why: UAE pickup owners never stopped asking for eight cylinders.
Why the RAM 1500 HEMI V8 Return Matters in the UAE
The HEMI return matters because UAE truck buyers value sound and character as much as numbers. The Hurricane six is strong and efficient, but it lacks the V8 rumble that defined the RAM 1500 for years. Bringing back the 5.7-litre engine restores the identity that many owners felt went missing in the 2025 model year.
The name carries real history. Chrysler's hemispherical combustion chambers date to the 1950s, and the 426 HEMI of the late 1960s, nicknamed the "Elephant", became a drag-strip and muscle-car icon. The modern 5.7-litre never chased class-leading efficiency. Its appeal was a broad torque curve and a soundtrack that made the truck feel alive, something Dubai and Abu Dhabi enthusiasts notice every time they pull onto Sheikh Zayed Road or E11.
RAM 1500 HEMI V8 Specs and Performance
The 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with eTorque produces 395hp and 556Nm, drives through an eight-speed automatic, and tows up to 5,266kg. RAM quotes a 748kg payload and a 125-litre fuel tank. RAM has not published top speed or 0 to 100km/h figures for the UAE-spec truck.
Specification | RAM 1500 5.7L HEMI V8 |
|---|---|
Engine | 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with eTorque |
Horsepower | 395hp |
Torque | 556Nm |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
Towing capacity | Up to 5,266kg |
Payload | 748kg |
Fuel tank | 125 litres |
That towing figure covers a large boat, a horse trailer or a pair of dune buggies on the way to Liwa, and the big tank stretches the range between fill-ups on long highway runs to Al Ain or the Oman border.
How the eTorque Mild-Hybrid System Works
eTorque is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that swaps the conventional alternator for a belt-driven motor-generator. It adds short bursts of torque when pulling away, smooths engine stop-start in traffic, and trims fuel use slightly. It does not mute the V8, so the exhaust note and throttle response stay intact.
In stop-and-go Dubai traffic, the smoother restart is the benefit owners will feel most. On the open road, the HEMI does the work on its own, exactly as fans want.
RAM 1500 Rebel, Limited and Limited Night Edition Compared
The HEMI V8 is offered in three UAE trims. The Rebel targets off-road use, the Limited focuses on luxury, and the Limited Night Edition adds a blacked-out look. All three share the same engine output, the 14.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
Rebel: performance-tuned suspension, electronic locking rear differential, skid plates, all-terrain tyres and a sport performance hood. This is the one for weekend sand sessions.
Limited: premium leather upholstery and real wood trim for buyers who want a refined cabin with V8 muscle underneath.
Limited Night Edition: the Limited's cabin with 22-inch black aluminium wheels and black exterior accents, a look that suits the UAE's taste for standout road presence.
Availability, Rivals and the Wider V8 Plan
The RAM 1500 HEMI V8 is available now through Al-Futtaim's RAM showrooms, though official UAE prices were not announced with the launch. RAM calls this the first step in a regional V8 revival, with the 1500 TRX SRT and the Rumble Bee muscle truck planned for the Middle East in 2027.
Globally, the new TRX uses a supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 rated at 777hp, a major jump over the previous generation. Until it lands, the HEMI trims put RAM back in a V8 fight with the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, while the Toyota Tundra now offers only a twin-turbo V6. Browse current RAM models in the UAE and the RAM 1500 price and specs page, or check used RAM 1500 listings for earlier V8 trucks.
Verdict: Is the RAM 1500 HEMI V8 Worth the Wait?
Yes, for buyers who bought a RAM for its character. The RAM 1500 HEMI V8 brings back the sound, smooth torque and towing confidence that UAE owners missed, with eTorque adding a little refinement. The Hurricane six remains the efficiency pick, but the V8 is the emotional choice, and in this market that counts.
For more launches, follow our UAE car news and explore the latest new cars in the UAE.
FAQs
Is the RAM 1500 HEMI V8 available in the UAE?
Yes. Al-Futtaim Trading Enterprises has relaunched the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 in the Rebel, Limited and Limited Night Edition trims.
How much horsepower does the RAM 1500 HEMI V8 have?
The 5.7-litre HEMI V8 with eTorque produces 395hp and 556Nm of torque.
How much can the RAM 1500 HEMI V8 tow?
It is rated to tow up to 5,266kg, with a 748kg payload.
What is the price of the RAM 1500 HEMI V8 in the UAE?
Official UAE prices were not announced at launch. Contact Al-Futtaim RAM showrooms for current pricing.
Is the RAM 1500 TRX coming to the UAE?
Yes. RAM plans to bring the 1500 TRX SRT and the Rumble Bee to the Middle East in 2027.
