Ram 1500 Classic To Retire, Marking The End Of The Iconic 5.7-Liter Hemi V8

Ram has announced that production of the 1500 Classic pickup will end after the 2024 model year, marking the end of the road for the iconic 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in the half-ton truck segment. Even though you may still get your hands on a Classic in 2025, you might notice that supplies are getting low.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, Ram has been offering the Ram 1500 Classic since 2018 as a continuation of the previous-generation truck that debuted in 2008. This will change as the newer model's Tradesman trim takes over as the base option for the 2025 model year.

The Ram 1500 Classic has been an excellent entry-level pickup for Ram, and the Tradesman model has definitely met the demands of our business truck clients," Stellantis spokesperson Jodi Tinson told the reporters. “With the introduction of the Tradesman trim on the new Ram 1500 for 2024 model year, we bid farewell to the previous generation and remind customers that the HEMI-powered Ram 1500 Classic will sell into 2025.”

Ram announced in April 2024 that they would discontinue the 1500 Classic in Canada, despite manufacturing it in the United States and Mexico. While Ram has been mum on the exact date, Auto News has said that production will cease at the Warren Truck Assembly facility this autumn. With the Classic out of the 1500 range, the Hemi 5.7-liter V8 option, which puts out 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, is no longer available.

However, the Hemi 6.4-liter engine will continue to power larger heavy-duty vehicles. Two engine options are available for the latest Ram 1500: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six with twin turbos. The second engine has two fewer cylinders than the old V8, but it produces greater power and torque. Ram's official website currently offers the Tradesman 1500 Classic for $38,705 and the Warlock 1500 Classic for $43,635. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is standard on both trim levels.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is available for an additional $500 over the base price of the $2,545 5.7-liter Hemi V8. When compared to the 2024 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman, the base model of the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman starts at $40,275, which is $1,570 more costly. None of the rates include a destination charge of $1,995.

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