Stellantis currently makes third-gen HEMI engines in Saltillo, Mexico. The facility where the Hurricane 3.0L twin-turbo I6 is also made will bid farewell to most of its V8 engine production in a matter of months, with only the 6.4L powerplant believed to soldier on in heavy-duty trucks.
The 5.7L and 6.2L may be discontinued by the end of 2023, leaving only the 6.4L as the only HEMI from 2024 onward. Indeed, that would be the bitter end for both the Ram 1500's optional V8 and the Ram 1500 TRX's insanely powerful Hellcat. It's a sad turn of events, especially if you remember that Ford recently unleashed a 6.8L gasser for the Super Duty line of heavy-duty trucks. Also worthy of note, General Motors pledged millions over millions of dollars for the next-generation small block, with applications including the next-generation Corvette and next-generation Silverado/Sierra lines of workhorses.
Not all is lost, though. Stellantis, which includes Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, currently works on a three-door electric fastback muscle car that will bear the Charger nameplate. When it comes to internal combustion, the TRX will be offered until the end of the 2024 model year. Further down the road, the 2025 model year Ram 1500 will be treated to an extensive makeover that will include a Tungsten luxury trim level with the Hurricane 3.0L twin-turbo I6 from the beginning of the story.
Confirmation comes from @ButterDaInsider, who stumbled upon the 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten on… wait for it… Ram's website. Said information has been since taken down, but as with all things on the Internet, it's impossible to wipe off every trace of said information.
Listed as a Crew Cab with 4x4 and vehicle identification number 1C6SRFKP9SN500103, the mystery truck comes with a panoramic sunroof of the dual-pane variety, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a power tailgate, LED taillamps, Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, a body-color bumper out back with step pads, active grille shutters and active front air dams for improved fuel economy, power running boards, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, 285/45 by 22-inch tires wrapped around 22- by 9.0-inch wheels, remote start, bright pedals, a Class IV receiver hitch, air vents for the rear passengers, and a 5-foot bed.
The fun stuff is featured in the list of extras, which includes the inline-six powerplant mentioned earlier. Said engine is the HO, the acronym for high output, and the only transmission available in combination with the Hurricane HO is the 8HP75 from ZF Friedrichshafen.
8 is the number of gears, and 75 refers to approximately 750 Nm (550 pound-feet) of torque. That's how much the automatic transmission can take, and that's well clear of the peak torque rating of the Hurricane HO. The standard tune is good for 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet (635 Nm), whereas the high output belts out a BMW M3 Competition-rivaling 510 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm). That's 39 horsepower and 45 pound-feet (61 Nm) more than the Ram 1500-based Jeep Grand Wagoneer's 6.4L HEMI V8, which is pretty badass for a six-pot engine.
On that note, what are your feelings about the Ram's 5.7L HEMI V8 getting discontinued in favor of the Hurricane SO and Hurricane HO? Is it a yay for additional horsepower and pound-feet of torque or a nay due to the twin-turbocharged inline-six engines being that little more stressed than the free-breathing V8?
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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