MotorBiscuit already told you about 2024 being the last year for the legendary Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram Hemi V8. But you may be wondering what is taking its place. Well, Ram just announced the 2025 Ram TRX, its top truck, is getting the inline-six Hurricane engine. And there will be two versions available, at least for now.

The engine we know for sure is the standard version with 420 hp and 468 lb-ft. That is both a lot of power and a lot of grunt. But it doesn’t come close to the Hellcat Hemi’s 700 hp. 

Why will Ram use the stout 8HP75 automatic transmission?

However, according to Autoevolution, Ram is slipping in something with much more power and torque. But you have to look at which transmissions are going into the TRX. Information regarding a certain Ram listing it with a Hurricane six-cylinder shows the transmission as an 8HP75 automatic. 

It gets that ZF automatic transmission designation because it is an eight-speed with 750 Nm. That number converts to 553 lb-ft of torque. So, which Hurricane needs a transmission that can handle that amount of torque?

Can the Hurricane I6 crank out more power than a Hellcat?

The Stellantis high-output 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo engine puts out 510 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. That’s not Hellcat power, but the 8HP75 transmission can handle more than that. And don’t forget, Stellantis has already said it will offer a crate engine version of the Hurricane with more than 1,000 hp. 

So, splitting the difference and backed by an 8HP75, we can easily imagine a 2025 Ram TRX with Hellcat Hemi power and torque numbers and the means to put that to the road. Then, after a year or two, we expect Ram can up the power by another 100 hp for an even tougher TRX. And still not be close to the 1,000 hp pinnacle the crate engine has. 

How much do you want to spend for the next Ram 1500?

Back to the 2024 Ram TRX, the last of the Hellcat Rams comes in a “special edition.” It also comes with a $117,625 price tag plus $2,000 delivery charges. That’s a significant bump from the current year’s TRX of $85,700. 

So, if you’re thinking about a Ram TRX, you’ve got some head-scratching to do. Step up now and save before the 2024 models kick in with the higher price. Or, you can wait and see what the Ram becomes in 2025 without V8 power. It seems like the inline-six over the V8 won’t leave you wanting for power or torque.

But as many truck enthusiasts consider a diesel or V8 as inseparable when the time comes for a new pickup, it will be interesting to see how they warm to the Hurricane. And with the new engine, there should also be some significant changes to the design and cabin. It will also be competing with itself in the Ram REV EV truck.