Ram 2500 Warlock brings HEMI V8 back to Australia
The Ram 2500 Warlock will reintroduce V8 petrol power to Australia’s heavy-duty truck market next month, closing a ten-year gap for HEMI engines in locally built Ram models. Starting at $157,950 (plus on-road costs), the new 6.4-litre HEMI V8 delivers 306kW and 582Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and dual-range four-wheel drive.
Production at Ram Trucks Australia’s Melbourne facility began earlier this month, with the first deliveries scheduled for October. The last locally assembled HEMI-powered Ram was a 5.7-litre 1500 Limited, produced nearly two years earlier. The Warlock represents the first time a HEMI engine has been offered in a Ram 2500 since late 2024.
Ram Trucks Australia general manager Jeff Barber said customer demand had been instrumental in bringing the HEMI V8 back. “Australian customers told us loud and clear they wanted the HEMI V8 to come back, and the Warlock was our first opportunity to do so,” he said. “We had also been exploring the option of an off-road inspired Ram 2500 Heavy Duty model for some time, so the Warlock was the perfect opportunity to bring the HEMI V8 back and deliver customers a broader choice. The Cummins diesel is still very much a part of the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty line-up, but we know there are also customers who want the HEMI V8.”
The Warlock joins the 6.7-litre Cummins diesel in the 2500 and 3500 Laramie lineup, expanding Ram’s local Heavy Duty offerings. While the Cummins remains the preferred choice, the HEMI V8 now caters to customers who favor petrol engines. This shift aligns with growing demand in Australia’s full-size pickup market for Heavy Duty models with increased towing and payload capacities.
Off-road specs and rugged design
Unlike the diesel-powered Laramie, the Warlock emphasizes ruggedness with Bilstein off-road dampers, 20-inch alloy wheels, 285/60 all-terrain tyres, and blacked-out exterior accents, including wheelarch flares, side steps, and bumpers. The suspension retains a coil-spring rear setup but features a 3.73:1 final-drive ratio, compared to the 3.42:1 ratio in diesel variants.
Related Post: Forthing to debut three new models in Australia
Tow ratings vary by configuration: 3,500kg with a 50mm tow ball, 4,500kg with a 70mm ball, and up to 6,700kg with a gooseneck hitch and air brakes. The Warlock’s 4,495kg gross vehicle mass and 1,275kg payload meet Heavy Duty expectations, though its 3,220kg kerb weight is lighter than diesel alternatives.
A 117-litre fuel tank is standard, and the truck measures 6,066mm long, 2,220mm wide, and 2,043mm high. Off-road angles include a 22.9-degree approach, 25.8-degree departure, and 22-degree ramp-over capability. The 14.6-metre turning circle reflects its full-size dimensions.
Standard equipment includes LED headlights, a spray-in bed liner, a 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, and six-passenger seating. Safety features cover autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and speed-sign recognition. For the 2026 model year, updates include enhanced lane-keeping assistance and driver-fatigue monitoring. Towing equipment comprises a 12-pin wiring harness, trailer sway control, and valve-type tyre pressure monitoring.
Expanding Ram’s engine lineup locally
The Warlock arrives less than a year after Ram Trucks Australia refreshed its 2500 and 3500 ranges, marking the most substantial updates since 2021. Its introduction also broadens Ram’s local engine lineup, which now includes the 3.0-litre Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six in the 1500, alongside the Cummins diesel and the returning HEMI V8 in Heavy Duty models.
First Australian customer deliveries of the Ram 2500 Warlock HEMI V8 are due to commence next month. *Pricing excludes on-road costs.
