Ram 2500 Warlock priced, brings back the V8 for $157,950

The facelifted 2500 Heavy Duty platform gets an entry-level variant, bringing back Ram’s Hemi V8 petrol to Australia after almost 2 years.

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Ash

September 17, 2026

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4 mins read

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Ash
Ash

17 September, 2026

Access Time

4 mins read

Key highlights:

  • Ram 2500 Warlock launches from $157,950 before on-road costs
  • Its 6.4-litre Hemi V8 produces 306kW and 582Nm
  • Optional gooseneck towing can lift capacity to 6700kg

The Ram 2500 is getting a new Australian entry point, and it brings back a familiar engine –  the 6.4-litre Hemi V8. The new Ram 2500 Warlock costs $157,950 before on-road costs, with the official deliveries due to begin in October 2026.

The Warlock already exists on the smaller Ram 1500, but the 2500 Warlock is a first locally. The off-road-focused Warlock will sit below the existing Laramie in the Australian Ram 2500 range, which has been recently updated with the Ram Heavy Duty platform.

The Warlock won’t be the only Ram to bring V8 power back to Australia, as the Ram 1500 TRX has been confirmed for an Australian launch in H1 2027, which will use a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 producing 579kW and 922Nm.

The same 2500 Warlock is available with the Cummins diesel in the US, but the locally converted version won’t get that engine at launch.

The Hemi V8 returns

The 2500 Warlock marks the return of the Hemi V8 to Ram Trucks Australia after almost two years, and it is also the first Hemi-powered Ram 2500 sold in Australia in 10 years.

The V8 produces 306kW and 582Nm, sending its output through an eight-speed automatic transmission to a four-wheel-drive system with high- and low-range gearing.

SpecificationRam 2500 WarlockRam 2500 Laramie
Engine6.4-litre Hemi V8 petrol6.7-litre Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six
Total output306kW / 582Nm313kW / 1458Nm
Transmission8-speed AT8-speed AT
Drive type4WD with high/low range4WD
Maximum towing capacity6700kg8000kg
Price$157,950 + on-roads$172,950 + on-roads

The V8 uses a 3.73:1 final-drive ratio in Australia. Ram offers 3.42:1 and 4.10:1 ratios in the US, but Australia gets the 3.73:1 setup. The 2500 Warlock also gets a rear anti-spin differential.

Ram Trucks Australia general manager Jeff Barber said, “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.”

Ram had also been considering an off-road-oriented Ram 2500 Heavy Duty for some time, making the Warlock a natural opportunity to combine that concept with the returning V8.

Barber says customers have increasingly moved towards Heavy Duty trucks as their requirements have grown, whether they use them for work or recreation.

Big truck, serious dimensions

The Warlock comes exclusively with a four-door Crew Cab and a 6ft 4in pickup bed with a spray-in liner.

Length6066mm
Width2220mm
Height2043mm
Wheelbase3786mm
Kerb weight3220kg
Payload1275kg
GVM4485kg
GCM10,001kg
Fuel tank117L

The Warlock gets 20×8.0-inch alloy wheels, which are the largest wheels fitted to a Ram 2500 sold in Australia, and they wear 285/60 all-terrain tyres.

The suspension uses Bilstein off-road shock absorbers, coil springs at the front and a five-link setup at the rear.

US-specification models have 333mm of ground clearance, and Ram expects Australian versions to match that figure.

Off-road measurementRam 2500 Warlock
Ground clearance333mm*
Approach angle22.9°
Departure angle25.8°
Ramp-over angle22.0°

*Expected for Australian versions based on the US specification.

Also read: Mitsubishi’s facelifted Triton ute could steal the new Pajero’s best tricks

Towing capacity reaches 6700kg

The Warlock can tow 3500kg braked when fitted with a 50mm tow ball, and that rises to 4500kg with a 70mm tow ball.

Ram also offers an optional gooseneck hitch, and when combined with an aftermarket air-brake package, the towing capacity climbs to a massive 6700kg.

SetupBraked towing capacity
50mm tow ball3500kg
70mm tow ball4500kg
Gooseneck + aftermarket air brakes6700kg

A tow receiver with a 12-pin wiring harness comes standard, along with trailer sway control and valve-type tyre-pressure monitoring.

Blacked-out exterior and some interior updates

The Warlock gets plenty of black exterior detailing, and this treatment covers the headlight inserts, grille, bumpers, wheel-arch extensions, mirrors, side steps, and tailgate ‘RAM’ lettering.

Inside, the Warlock gets six seats with grey cloth upholstery, and the dashboard features a 12.0-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen. LED headlights, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors also come standard.

Safety equipment

ANCAP doesn’t crash-test large pickups. However, the smaller Ram 1500 achieved Gold status in a 2025 ANCAP assessment of its collision-avoidance systems. The Warlock itself comes with a range of active safety technology, including:

  • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Traffic-sign recognition
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT australia
2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT with supercharged Hemi V8

The new 2500 Warlock acts as the off-road, petrol V8-powered entry point to the heavy-duty range; the diesel Laramie remains the flagship premium variant built for massive hauling. Another V8-powered ute, the Ram 1500 TRX SRT, is also due Down Under in H1 2027.

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