The return of the Hemi V8 to the Australian market has arrived with the 2026 Ram 2500 Warlock, ending a two-year absence for the iconic engine in the country’s heavy-duty segment. The new model sits below the Laramie variant and offers a more affordable entry point, coming in close to $10,000 less than the rival Chevrolet Silverado HD range. Production began on Ram Trucks Australia’s right-hand-drive conversion line in Melbourne earlier this month, with first customer deliveries scheduled for October. This marks a significant strategic move for the manufacturer, as the company had been actively exploring options for an off-road inspired Ram 2500 Heavy Duty model to cater to a specific segment of the market.
Price and positioning
The 2026 Ram 2500 Warlock is priced from $157,950 plus on-road costs. This places it $15,000 below the Ram 2500 Laramie, which starts at $172,950 plus on-roads with a 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder. It also sits $2,000 below the top-of-the-range Limited RamBox version of the smaller Ram 1500, which uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol inline-six. This marks the first time the Warlock badge has been offered on a Ram 2500 in Australia. The positioning allows Ram to capture customers looking for a capable truck without the premium cost associated with the diesel options, offering a distinct alternative to the established diesel heavy-duty competitors.
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Engine and performance
For the first time in a decade, the Hemi V8 has returned to the local Heavy Duty line-up. The naturally-aspirated 6.4-litre petrol V8 produces 306kW and 582Nm, driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle offers 2WD high, 4WD high, and 4WD low capabilities, along with hill descent control. The Warlock is the first Heavy Duty grade sold locally that Ram is pitching at off-road use, rather than on-road comfort and towing. This shift in focus is supported by the engine’s configuration, which provides a responsive power delivery suitable for varied terrain conditions.
Engineers have equipped the Warlock with Bilstein off-road shock absorbers and coil-sprung rear suspension. The ride height is raised with 285/60 all-terrain tyres wrapped around 20-inch alloy wheels, compared to the 18-inch wheels on the Laramie. The exterior features a black front fascia and headlight surrounds, black bumpers front and rear, black wheel-arch flares, black side steps, black mirror scalps, and Warlock decals. These design elements are complemented by a fuel tank that holds 117 litres, ensuring the vehicle maintains adequate range for extended journeys into remote areas.
Interior and safety
The vehicle is equipped with a spray-in bed-liner as standard, along with a tow bar receiver, 12-pin wiring harness, trailer sway control, and valve-type tyre pressure monitors. Five colours are offered, with four metallic paints available as a $950 option. The inclusion of the 12-pin wiring harness is particularly beneficial for Australian users, as it provides the necessary connections for the extensive array of trailer and accessory lighting and braking systems commonly used in the local market.
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Towing and payload figures
Technical specifications list the kerb weight at 3220kg against a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4495kg, leaving 1275kg of payload. The Gross Combination Mass is 10,001kg. Towing is rated at 3500kg on a 50mm ball or 4500kg on a 70mm ball, with a claimed 6700kg achievable when hitched to a genuine Ram gooseneck accessory and air brakes. However, when 6700kg is attached, only 82kg of payload remains for passengers and cargo beneath the Gross Combination Mass. This low payload figure must be carefully considered by potential buyers, as the weight of the gooseneck accessory itself must also be deducted from this allowance.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 12,000km, and the Warlock is covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty. Ram Trucks Australia states the local range now offers the broadest engine spread in the full-size pick-up segment. The Warlock takes the lineup to seven variants, with the Cummins diesel continuing to be sold alongside the V8 in the 2500 and 3500 Laramie variants. General manager Jeff Barber highlighted that Australian customers had expressed a strong desire for the Hemi V8, stating that the Warlock was the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the engine while delivering a broader choice to a market that is becoming increasingly serious and demanding in its requirements for both work and recreational utility.