Ram is discontinuing the mild-hybrid option for more of its Hemi V8 trucks beyond just the Rumble Bee.

      Ram

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      It's now evident that Ram's decision to reintroduce the Hemi was welcomed by many Mopar enthusiasts. However, the return of the Hemi as the eTorque variant with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system has sparked division among fans. Just browse through forums and Reddit for confirmation.

      In Detroit, during an exclusive one-on-one conversation for the latest episode of The Drivecast, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis informed The Drive that the automaker has removed the mild-hybrid system from the Hemi V8. We were aware that this was the case for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the Rumble Bee, but it remained uncertain if this would extend to other trims. Now it's confirmed that the simpler V8 without the electrification system will be available in additional trims, although numerous questions still remain.

      Listen to the full discussion, starting from when Kuniskis talks about the mild-hybrid system and the Ram 1500, below.

      Kuniskis stated, “When we launched the Rumble Bee, I made a joke because I didn’t want to directly say, ‘Hey, we dropped the mild hybrid from the Hemi,’ since many would perceive that negatively. So I said, ‘Hey, it’s only got one battery.’ It was a very much ‘if you know, you know’ moment.” Indeed, quite clever.

      The twist came when Kuniskis added, “Because if you didn’t understand what I meant, you might have felt offended by my comment about removing the hybrid. But if you understood, you’d be thinking, ‘Heck yeah, that’s a great idea.’”

      Kuniskis then went further, explaining how the non-hybrid Hemi will be available in more affordable Express trims:

      “Consider what that allows us to do. When we reintroduced the Hemi, we included it in the light-duty truck. Since we already had the T6 [turbocharged inline-six] there, we added the Hemi and charged $1,200 for it. Then we removed the mild-hybrid—the customers responded positively to its removal, and we now have a profitability boost for that vehicle. What does that mean? If I say, ‘Oh, that’s advantageous for our company’s financials,’ the listeners of this podcast might think, ‘So what? I don’t care.’ But let me tell you what it means for the customer: it enables me to expand my Express trims. I can offer more options in my Black Express models with Hemis, and so forth. So now I can sell you a $50,000 Black Express truck with a Hemi, without the mild-hybrid system, and the customer benefits significantly. That’s what this accomplishes.”

      For now, there remain unanswered questions. Will the eTorque 48-volt mild-hybrid Hemi V8 still be available? When will the non-eTorque 5.7-liter Hemi V8 reach trucks beyond the Rumble Bee? Will the pricing for the Hemi V8 engine option change? Currently, these questions linger without answers.

      However, one clear message from the head of Ram is that a simpler 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine without the mild-hybrid system will indeed be coming to other light-duty trucks in Ram dealerships.

      Have information about upcoming products? Reach out to us at tips@thedrive.com.