Australian Ram 2500 Warlock brings back V8 petrol engine
RAM Trucks Australia is bringing back the V8 petrol engine to its Heavy Duty line-up next month with the new 2026 Ram 2500 Warlock Crew Cab. This reintroduces V8 petrol power to the local heavy-duty market, marking the first time a Ram 2500 has been offered with a HEMI powerplant in a decade. Priced from $157,950 plus on-road costs, the MY26 model is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.4-litre V8 producing 306kW and 582Nm. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and dual-range four-wheel drive.
Petrol Power Returns to Heavy Duty
The Warlock sits alongside the 6.7-litre Cummins diesel variants, broadening the local heavy-duty range. Production commenced earlier this month at Ram’s Melbourne remanufacturing facility, a site dedicated to the refurbishment of large vehicles. The model features a rugged aesthetic with Bilstein off-road dampers, 20-inch alloy wheels, and black exterior accents including bumpers, mirrors, and wheelarch flares. Underneath, it retains coil-spring rear suspension with a 3.73:1 final-drive ratio compared to the 3.42:1 found in diesel versions.
Measuring 6066mm long with a 3785mm wheelbase and a 14.6-metre turning circle, the truck is a large vehicle. It offers a towing capacity of 3500kg with a 50mm tow ball, rising to 4500kg with a 70mm ball and up to 6700kg when equipped with a gooseneck accessory and air brakes. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, a spray-in bed liner, and a 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The front bench allows seating for six occupants.
Safety and driver-assistance equipment is thorough. The MY26 model includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. Driver-fatigue monitoring is newly fitted. Towing equipment includes a tow-bar receiver, 12-pin wiring harness, trailer sway control, and valve-type tyre pressure monitoring. The vehicle comes with a three-year or 100,000km warranty and service intervals set at 12 months or 12,000km.
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Driving Impressions
On the road, the Warlock feels rather different to its imposing dimensions. At 3220kg kerb weight, it requires some recalibration for the driver, particularly on narrower Australian roads. The bonnet stretches far forward, and the mirrors seem to occupy another postcode. Its 14.6-metre turning circle demands a little forward planning in tighter surrounds.
Much of that impression comes from the 6.4-litre HEMI V8, producing 306kW at 5600rpm and 582Nm at 4000rpm. The naturally aspirated petrol engine lacks the enormous low-rpm torque of the diesel sibling but compensates with a lighter, freer, and altogether more responsive character. There is a pleasing immediacy to the throttle response that suits the vehicle particularly well. Unlike the diesel, the HEMI builds performance progressively, encouraging the driver to use more of the accelerator and rev range. This shift in drivability highlights a key trend in the heavy-duty market: as these trucks become more accessible, the demand for a vehicle that offers entertainment and immediate feedback alongside utility is growing rapidly.
The eight-speed TorqueFlite auto tends to exploit the HEMI’s mid-range rather than chase the 6000rpm redline, generally shifting before 5000rpm under load. The engine does not make the 2500 Warlock a rapid vehicle in the conventional sense, but it gives it an easy, willing feel that belies its substantial kerb weight. Fuel use hovered at around the 21-litre per 100km mark during testing; Ram suggests figures in the 13-litre range are possible when cruising on the open road.
A long-distance hauler, the model shows ride quality better than the Heavy Duty badge implies. The Ram 2500 differs from many segment rivals through its five-link, coil-sprung rear suspension, and the arrangement brings an appreciable degree of compliance when the tray is empty. The suspension setup combines these springs with Bilstein off-road dampers and 285/60 all-terrain tyres on 20-inch wheels, giving it a slightly softer edge over broken surfaces. The steering is light enough to make urban manoeuvring manageable, though there is little meaningful feedback through the wheel. Accuracy, rather than communication, is the driving priority.
