Ram Just Gave Truck Buyers What They Actually Wanted — A Pure Hemi With No Stop/Start And No Mild Hybrid
Ram confirmed on August 4 that it will phase out the eTorque mild-hybrid system on the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the 2027 Ram 1500, replacing it with a straightforward, non-hybridized version of the engine. Non-hybrid trucks are expected to arrive at dealers this fall. The move also eliminates automatic stop/start — the feature that cuts the engine at red lights — which has drawn consistent complaints from owners since Ram made eTorque the only Hemi option.
The non-hybrid 5.7-liter Hemi produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, unchanged from the eTorque version’s base figures. It retains the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) cylinder deactivation, which shuts down four cylinders under light loads, but sheds the belt-driven motor-generator, 48-volt battery pack, and everything that came with them — including roughly 120 pounds of hardware. For buyers who have been waiting for a cleaner, simpler Hemi, the wait is nearly over.
Why Ram Pulled the Trigger Now
The timing isn’t accidental. In February 2026, the federal government rolled back a range of EPA emissions policies, including the off-cycle compliance credits that automakers earned for equipping vehicles with stop/start technology. The EPA’s own announcement called out stop/start as part of “16 years of consumer choice restrictions” — unusually pointed language from a regulatory body. That rollback removed the compliance incentive that had made eTorque effectively mandatory for the Hemi’s return in 2026.
When the 5.7-liter Hemi came back for the 2026 model year after a one-year absence, it returned with eTorque because that configuration had existing EPA certification data, established calibrations, and a faster path through the approval process. Engineers working under what Ram internally called Project F-15 — named after the Hemi’s own development codename — reportedly compressed an 18-month development timeline to roughly six months just to get the V8 back in the truck. eTorque was the practical choice then. For 2027, with the regulatory pressure gone and development complete, the non-hybrid version is the natural next step.
What Actually Changes — And What Stays
The core engine is the same 345-cubic-inch Hemi that Ram buyers have known for years. Variable valve timing stays. MDS cylinder deactivation stays. What disappears is the belt-driven motor-generator that replaced the traditional alternator, the 48-volt battery mounted behind the rear seat, and the stop/start system that relied on the motor-generator for smooth engine restarts.
In practical terms, the truck will start like a truck, idle at stoplights like a truck, and pull away without any hybrid assist on the crankshaft. The eTorque system did provide up to 130 lb-ft of supplemental torque during acceleration, so that brief low-speed assist goes away too — but the base torque rating holds at 410 lb-ft, and most owners will likely consider that trade a good one. Some owners have reported more serious eTorque issues over the years, including stalling, hard starts, and outright motor-generator unit failures, so the simplified setup should also mean fewer potential failure points.
The Transition Period and Pricing
Ram was clear that the switch won’t happen overnight. A limited number of 2027 model year trucks will still be built with the eTorque powertrain while the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan completes the changeover to the conventional engine configuration. Production documentation reviewed by MoparInsiders pointed to late September as the target for non-eTorque Hemi production to begin at the plant, which aligns with Ram’s guidance that non-hybrid trucks will reach dealers this fall.
The 2027 Ram 1500 starts at $42,375, a $350 increase over the 2026 model. Ram has not attributed that specific increase to the powertrain change, and the modest bump likely reflects broader pricing adjustments rather than any cost tied to adding or removing hardware. Full pricing details across the 2027 1500 lineup have not yet been released.
Where Ram Stands Against Ford and GM
The decision puts Ram in a distinct position in the full-size truck segment. Ford has leaned further into electrification with the F-150 hybrid and the F-150 Lightning, while GM continues to offer mild-hybrid assistance on its V8 trucks. Ram is moving in the opposite direction — stripping out electrification from its mainstream V8 and letting the engine stand on its own.
That’s a deliberate market positioning choice, not just a regulatory response. The 2027 Ram 1500 lineup will span from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque all the way up to the 777-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi in the new Rumble Bee SRT, with Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six options in between. Removing eTorque from the 5.7-liter doesn’t shrink the lineup — it gives traditional V8 buyers an option that wasn’t available to them since Ram quietly made eTorque mandatory. For the segment of truck buyers who simply want a Hemi that behaves like a Hemi always did, that option is back.
Ram’s statement to Motor1 confirmed the transition directly: “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.” For buyers who have been patient — or who simply never warmed to the idea of a mild-hybrid Hemi — that’s the confirmation they were looking for.
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