RAM Trucks Australia could be reviving the Hemi V8

RAM Trucks Australia (RTA) looks primed to return the ‘Hemi’ V8 to Australia, however it won’t be under the bonnet of the volume-selling 1500 (yet). Instead, it looks to be via the heavy duty 2026 RAM 2500 Warlock which has just been certified for sale in Australia with a 6.4-litre V8 petrol engine outputting 305kW.

The government approval documents discovered by carsales confirm the Warlock will be naturally aspirated and feature an eight-speed automatic transmission as per the existing Laramie turbo-diesel, albeit a lighter-duty unit rated to 750Nm.

Overseas spec sheets nominate a peak torque figure of 582Nm – barely of half what the Laramie’s 6.7-litre Cummins straight-six dishes out (1152Nm).

That said, the Warlock can still tow up to 4500kg (braked) and will offer a theoretical payload of 1289kg (4495kg GVM minus the 3206kg tare weight).

Set to be pitched as a cut-price off-road offering, the 2500 Warlock rides on 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 285/60-profile all-terrain tyres, stands 213mm off the ground and dons a blacked-out exterior treatment (front fascia, mirrors, rear bumper, wheels, badging) for a more menacing look.

Local pricing, equipment and timing are all yet to be confirmed, however it’s safe to expect the Warlock to be noticeably cheaper than the Laramie which starts from $172,950 plus on-road costs.

Headline inclusions in North America comprise a 10-speaker sound system, keyless entry and start, heated front seats with power adjustment, LED exterior lighting, a limited-slip rear differential and a Uconnect 5 infotainment system.

RTA wouldn’t confirm to carsales if the Warlock was locked in for our market, saying it “regularly assesses models from the vast catalogue of vehicles available in the US” and “appreciates the passion for the return of the iconic Hemi V8”.

“But there is nothing to announce today,” a spokesperson said.

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