HEMI V8 returns in Ram 2500 Warlock

RAM Trucks Australia will reintroduce V8 petrol power to its local line-up next month with the arrival of the new Ram 2500 Warlock, marking the first time in a decade the Heavy Duty pick-up has been offered here with a HEMI engine.

Priced from $157,950 plus on-road costs, the MY26 Ram 2500 Warlock is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.4-litre HEMI V8 producing 306kW and 582Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and dual-range four-wheel drive.

The model will sit alongside the 6.7-litre inline six-cylinder Cummins diesel-powered Ram 2500 and 3500 Laramie variants, broadening the local Heavy Duty range while reviving a petrol V8 option last seen in Australian-delivered Ram products in late 2024.

The final locally remanufactured HEMI-powered Ram was a 5.7-litre 1500 Limited, which rolled off Ram Trucks Australia’s Melbourne production line almost two years ago.

Production of the new 6.4-litre Warlock commenced at the same Melbourne remanufacturing facility earlier this month, ahead of first customer deliveries from October.

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 is positioned as a more rugged take on the Ram Heavy Duty formula, gaining Bilstein off-road dampers, 20-inch alloy wheels, 285/60 all-terrain tyres, black wheelarch flares, black side steps, and black front and rear bumpers.

Black headlight surrounds, a black front fascia, black mirror scalps, and Warlock decals complete the exterior treatment.

Underneath, the Warlock retains coil-spring rear suspension and is equipped with a 3.73:1 final-drive ratio, compared with 3.42:1 for diesel variants.

Ram says the new model reflects a broader shift in the Australian full-size pick-up market towards Heavy Duty models as buyers increasingly seek greater towing and payload capability.

“We have seen a market shift towards Heavy Duty in recent years, as customers get even more serious and more demanding with what they want from a truck – whether it’s for work or play,” added Mr Barber.

“So, when we were assessing the suitability of the Warlock for our market, we decided to go all in and bring the HEMI V8 back with it.”

The 6.4-litre HEMI gives the Warlock a markedly different character to the diesel-powered 2500 Laramie, though towing capability remains a major part of its brief.

Ram quotes a 3500kg towing capacity with a 50mm tow ball, rising to 4500kg with a 70mm ball and up to 6700kg when equipped with the brand’s genuine gooseneck accessory and air brakes.

The Warlock has a 4495kg gross vehicle mass, 10,001kg gross combination mass and 1275kg payload.

Kerb weight is listed at 3220kg.

A 117-litre fuel tank is standard.

The Ram 2500 Warlock measures 6066mm long, 2220mm wide and 2043mm high, with a 3785mm wheelbase and 14.6-metre turning circle.

Off-road dimensions include a 22.9-degree approach angle, 25.8-degree departure angle, and 22-degree ramp-over angle.

Standard equipment includes LED headlights, a spray-in bed liner and 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the front bench arrangement allows seating for six occupants when the centre front position is in use.

Safety and driver-assistance equipment includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors and speed-sign recognition.

Lane-keeping assistance has been updated for MY26, while driver-fatigue monitoring is also newly fitted.

Towing equipment includes a tow-bar receiver, 12-pin wiring harness, trailer sway control and valve-type tyre pressure monitoring.

The Warlock joins the Heavy Duty line-up less than 12 months after Ram Trucks Australia introduced a substantial facelift and technology update for the 2500 and 3500, described as the biggest change to the range since 2021.

Its arrival also gives Ram Trucks Australia one of the broadest engine line-ups in the local US pick-up segment.

The Ram 1500 range continues with the 3.0-litre Hurricane twin-turbo inline six in standard- and high-output forms, while the 2500 and 3500 retain the 6.7-litre Cummins turbo-diesel alongside the returning HEMI V8.

Five exterior colours will be available for the Warlock, with metallic paint adding $950.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 12,000km, whichever comes first, while warranty coverage is three years or 100,000km.

First Australian customer deliveries of the Ram 2500 Warlock HEMI V8 are due to commence next month.

2026 Ram 2500 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.