Hybrids in, V8s out: Updated 2025 Ram 1500 revealed with new range-extender hybrid, but where's the V8?

It's a new era for one of America's best-known, and 'most American' vehicles, as the V8-powered Ram 1500 is no more. In its place, six-cylinder engines and hybrid variants are on the cards.

The updated Ram 1500 does away with the 5.7-litre petrol V8 engine - which is still available here in the current generation making 291kW and 556Nm - replacing it with a turbocharged 3.0-litre 'Hurricane' inline six-cylinder engine.

But it's another version of the new 1500, called Ramcharger, that company CEO Tim Kuniskis might need to sell the Ram faithful on, as its arrival to the line-up coincides with the exit of the V8 engine.

The Ramcharger pairs a 92kWh battery with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine as a range-extender generator, for a claimed top range of 1110km.

"With unlimited battery-electric range, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger is the pinnacle of the light-duty pickup truck segment and the ultimate electric truck," said Kuniskis.

It’s a new era for one of America’s best-known, and ‘most American’ vehicles.

Despite the slight hyperbole in claiming unlimited range or even calling it an electric truck, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger could be the temporary answer to a concern many have had regarding the incoming advent of electrified utes and trucks.

But purely petrol-powered Rams remain, with the popular 'truck' to be available with either a 313kW/636Nm or a 403kW/706Nm H/O 'High Output' version of the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six. Also new is an "ultra-premium" variant called Tungsten, which joins the likes of the Limited at the top of the range.

“With unlimited battery-electric range, the Ram 1500 Ramcharger is the pinnacle of the light-duty pickup truck segment and the ultimate electric truck,” said Kuniskis.

The updated Ram 1500 is set to launch in the US in the first quarter of 2024, followed later by the fully-electric Ram 1500 REV in the fourth quarter. The range-extender Ramcharger hybrid is set to follow after that.

Here in Australia, however, it appears to be business as usual for the current version of the Ram 1500, with V8 engines still the standard.

The Ramcharger pairs a 92kWh battery with a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine as a range-extender generator.

CarsGuide contacted a spokesperson for the brand's local distributor, and was told there's currently "nothing to confirm at this stage about any future models".

The Ram 1500 is by far the most popular 'large ute' or truck in the segment in Australia, having sold 5330 so far this year and holding a 60.5 per cent share of the segment's sales, ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado (1734 sales, 19.7 per cent share).

The updated Ram 1500 is set to launch in the US in the first quarter of 2024.

Stay tuned for information regarding the updated 1500 for Australia as it comes to hand.