The HEMI V8 is returning to the RAM lineup in Australia, with the new 2500 Warlock set to arrive in showrooms from October with a whopping 6.4-litre HEMI V8 petrol engine.
It marks the first locally offered HEMI-powered V8 RAM since production of the previous 5.7-litre 1500 ended in late 2024, and the first V8-powered 2500 sold here in around a decade.
Under the bonnet is a naturally aspirated 6.4-litre HEMI V8, producing 306kW and 582Nm. It’s paired with an eight-speed (ZF 8HP) automatic with a four-wheel drive system offering 2WD high, 4WD high and 4WD low modes.
The V8 sits alongside the existing 6.7-litre Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six in the Australian Heavy Duty range (2500 and 3500), rather than replacing it. And the Warlock also introduces a more off-road focused specification to the 2500 lineup.
As standard you get Bilstein off-road dampers, 20-inch alloy wheels with 285/60 all-terrain tyres, and a number of black exterior details including the bumpers, wheel arch flares, side steps and front grille. The badges are also black for that menacing and imposing theme.
Payload is rated at 1275kg, while maximum braked towing capacity ranges from 3500kg using a conventional 50mm tow ball to 4500kg with a 70mm setup. With RAM’s genuine gooseneck arrangement and air brakes, the maximum rises to 6700kg. However, you need to keep in mind the GCM is 10,001kg, which means, towing 6700kg, you won’t have much leftover for any passengers or cargo. But that’s at 6700kg.
It’s still a substantial vehicle, measuring 6066mm long and 2220mm wide excluding mirrors, with a kerb weight of 3220kg and a 4495kg GVM.
Standard equipment includes a 12-inch infotainment touch-screen with physical main-menu buttons, a six-seat configuration with a folding middle seat/console in the middle, LED headlights, spray-in tub-liner, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and front and rear parking sensors. The Warlock also gains updated lane-keeping assistance and driver fatigue monitoring.
Production of Australian-market examples commenced at RAM Trucks Australia’s Melbourne remanufacturing facility earlier this month, with deliveries scheduled to kick off from October. Prices start from $157,950 (excluding on-roads), making it $15,000 cheaper than the diesel.
