2024 Ram 1500 pick-up to swap ‘Hemi’ V8 for ‘Hurricane’ six-cylinder – report

The 2024 Ram 1500 pick-up is set to replace its 5.7-litre 'Hemi' V8 petrol engine with a twin-turbocharged 'Hurricane' six-cylinder engine in the US, according to a new overseas report.

US Dodge and Ram specialist website Mopar Insiders reports Ram is currently testing 1500 prototypes with the 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine, in a plan to replace the Hemi V8 after its two-decade-long run powering the pick-up.

The six-cylinder engine – known as the Hurricane – is expected to be fitted to vehicles across the Stellantis family of brands, which includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.

The twin-turbo six was created with two variants: the standard-output (SO) version with 313kW and 635Nm, and a high-output (HO) version with 380kW and 678Nm.

It has been reported the Hemi is entering its final years in showrooms, Mopar Insiders reports the Hurricane SO could replace the 5.7-litre Hemi, while the Hurricane HO would feature in higher-performance models.

The top-of-the-range TRX is currently fitted with a 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 developing 523kW and 882Nm. If this model was to move to the Hurricane HO engine equating to a 27 per cent reduction in power, and a 23 per cent drop in torque.

However, fuel economy would be drastically improved, with recent independent testing by Drive finding the TRX consumed an average of 18.8 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres.

The same engine fitted to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer in the US returns an average of 14.7L/100km – or a fuel economy improvement of almost 22 per cent compared to the Hemi.

The change is yet to be confirmed, but overseas reports claim the Ram 1500 may switch to the Hurricane six-cylinder next year, which could mean first Australian arrivals next year, or in 2025.