Ram made a course correction earlier this year by reviving the Hemi-powered 1500 pickup truck. It reintroduced the 5.7-liter V-8 engine for the 2026 model year, and the truck brand is highlighting its return with a sinister-looking SEMA concept. It’s called “The Dude” and is inspired by the sporty Dude package that Dodge introduced in the early 1970s.
Under the hood is Hemi V-8 Made 395 horsepower. The only notable upgrade is a Mopar cold-air intake, but the truck rides on a lowered suspension with 20-by-10-inch wheels in the corners.
The Dude features a custom front splitter and custom side skirts, with a side exit exhaust with black tips, projecting both sides in front of the rear wheels.
This truck, based on Ram 1500 Big Hornit wears a Sublime Green exterior paint, which Ram features satin black C-stripes, just like the original packaging. It even features the idea of a square-jawed man wearing glasses and a cowboy hat. Other black accents include the hood stripes, grille surround, roof, mirror caps and tailgate.
inside, ram I kept the green to a minimum, using it as contrast stitching on the seats and center armrest. There’s also a green “The Dude” badge on the passenger-side dashboard. The truck also comes with an in-console safe, a multi-accessory instrument panel rail, and all-weather floor mats.
The truck looks great with its low stance and body kit. Despite the craze for pickup trucks and high-powered models like the Ram TRX (RIP), bumper street trucks have never made a proper comeback — but at least with Hemi fans.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis admitted the brand “made a mistake” by killing the V-8 engine in the current-generation 1500.
Photography: Ram
This was something he wanted to correct when he returned to office late last year. Engineers quickly figured out how to put the engine back in the truck and launched a new badge called the “Protest symbol“, which can be seen on The Dude’s front bumper.
The Dude will be at this year’s SEMA Show, so check him out. It will be offered alongside a custom Dodge Sixpack Charger that features a host of Mopar upgrades.
