Key highlights:
- Ram brings the Hemi V8 back in the 2500 Warlock
- Heavy-duty Ram sales have climbed 92.1% in 2026
- Warlock towing reaches 6700kg with an optional gooseneck
Ram has brought the Hemi V8 back to Australia, but not in the 1500. The V8 returns in the much larger Ram 2500 Warlock as Ram responds to growing demand for heavy-duty pickups and greater towing capability.
This demand growth is mostly true within a specific niche of heavy towers who are hitting the performance walls and GCM limits of standard mid-sized 4×4 dual-cabs.
The new 2500 Warlock, starting at $157,950 (before on-road costs), offers a cheaper entry point into the heavy-duty segment, sitting roughly $15,000 below its diesel sibling (the Laramie) and undercutting competitors.
Why the Hemi V8 returns in the Ram 2500
The Hemi V8 previously powered the Australian Ram 1500 until 2024, and its return comes almost two years later, but the 2500 Warlock gets it first.
The 2500 Warlock pairs its 6.4-litre petrol V8 with the 6.7-litre six-cylinder Cummins turbo-diesel already available in other Ram 2500 and 3500 models.
Ram Trucks Australia general manager Jeff Barber said, “The segment is growing all the time, and we’ve seen phenomenal growth in our heavy-duty sales in the last 12 months.”
Since the new model launched in September last year, Ram says heavy-duty sales have grown 92.1%, and Barber says customers increasingly want bigger vehicles for bigger caravans, boats and other recreational equipment.
The 2500 is considerably bigger than the 1500
The Ram 2500 Warlock is a sizeable pickup, measuring more than six metres long, and it also rides on all-terrain tyres.
| Dimension | Ram 2500 Warlock | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6066mm | 5916mm |
| Width | 2627mm | 2474mm |
| Height | 2043mm | 1971-2006mm |
| Wheelbase | 3785mm | 3672mm |
| Wheels | 20-inch alloy | – |
The Ram 1500 remains a large vehicle in its own right, but the 2500 stretches further in every listed dimension.
The Warlock targets buyers who want heavy-duty capability without moving to the more expensive end of the range.
| Capability | Ram 2500 Warlock |
|---|---|
| Standard braked towing | 3500kg |
| With larger tow ball | 4500kg |
| With optional gooseneck fitting | Up to 6700kg |
| Payload | 1275kg |
Barber says the Warlock aims to offer customers a more affordable or more capable heavy-duty pickup.
Also read: Ram 2500 Warlock priced, brings back the V8 for $157,950
Ram sees customers moving up from 1500s
The shift towards larger pickups extends beyond existing Ram owners, as the company says customers are moving from 1500-sized pickups into 2500 models, while others are coming from large SUVs.
VFACTS figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries also show strong growth for Ram’s heavy-duty models in 2026.
| Model | 2026 sales | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 2500 | 591 | +64.6% |
| Ram 3500 | 112 | – |
| Ram 2500 + Ram 3500 | 703 | +92.1% |
| Chevrolet Silverado HD | 986 | – |
The combined Ram 2500 and 3500 tally has reached 703 sales, although the two models still trail the Chevrolet Silverado HD’s 986 deliveries.
Ram and Chevrolet therefore have an advantage over Ford and Toyota in Australia’s heavy-duty pickup market, as those brands do not offer larger-bodied pickups.
Ford Australia has responded to demand for greater payload and towing capacity with the V6 turbo-diesel Ranger Super Duty, which offers up to 4500kg of braked towing capacity and 1982kg of payload. This ute gives Ford a smaller-bodied alternative for buyers seeking higher capability.
The Hemi V8 will return to the Ram 1500
The 2500 gets the Hemi first, but the V8 will return to the Australian Ram 1500 range next year. Initially, Ram will offer it only in flagship performance models such as the TRX, which is scheduled to arrive in early 2027.
A Ram Trucks Australia spokesperson said demand for the TRX remains strong internally, while the business is also pushing for more heavy-duty stock.
Ram says Australian buyers want more capability
Amy Augustine, head of Ram Trucks International product and sales, also pointed to changing customer expectations in Australia.
She said Australians have increasingly demanded more from their mid-sized pickups over the past 11 years. According to Augustine, some buyers still consider Ranger- and HiLux-sized pickups sufficient. However, she said, “enough doesn’t always translate to confidence”.
Ram positions the 2500 as a vehicle for long-distance towing, family space and carrying the equipment associated with an active lifestyle.
Ram also says the Warlock has already gained traction in the United States and, according to Augustine, it has been moving off US dealer lots 60% faster than the overall Ram 2500 lineup. She also mentioned petrol trucks sell 35% faster than its diesel models in the US.
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