HEMI and Ramcharger Pilot Builds Underway at SHAP

Things are heating up at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) as Ram quietly begins pilot production of two major 2026 Ram 1500 models—the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 and the debut of the all-new Ramcharger electrified truck.

While Ram hasn’t officially confirmed it, insiders at Stellantis’ Auburn Hills HQ say employees were told during a recent town hall meeting that “the HEMI is back.” A leaked photo sent to us from SHAP of a production broadcast sheet adds fuel to the fire, showing two pilot projects on the day’s build schedule—one labeled “REPB Pilot” and the other “F15 Pilot.”

Let’s break those down.

REPB stands for Range-Extending Paradigm Breaker, the internal name for the new Ramcharger. Unlike a fully electric truck, the Ramcharger uses a 92-kWh battery pack and a 130-kW generator powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The V6 doesn’t turn the wheels—instead, it acts like a power station, generating electricity for the motors. Ram says this setup offers 690 miles of total range, 663 horsepower, and 615 lb.-ft. of torque, with a 0–60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The Ramcharger also leads its class with a 14,000-lb towing capacity and 2,625-lb payload rating.

Meanwhile, the mysterious “F15 Pilot” refers to something more old-school: the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8. Internally codenamed “Eagle,” the engine shares its name with the F-15 Eagle fighter jet—classic Chrysler code language. This confirms that Ram is moving forward with the HEMI’s return to the lineup after a short hiatus.

The HEMI will come paired with the eTorque mild-hybrid system, using a 48-volt battery and belt-driven motor generator to improve efficiency, assist with torque delivery, and enable auto start/stop. Power will remain at 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.

So why pilot builds? Even though the HEMI and eTorque combo isn’t new, the 2026 Ram 1500 rides on a refreshed platform with a brand-new Atlantis electrical architecture. These pilot units help engineers identify any issues with software, electronics, or drivetrain integration before full-scale production begins.

According to our sources, 2026 production kicks off Monday, June 16th, 2025. So while official announcements may still be down the road, the action has already started behind the scenes at SHAP.