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The new Ram 1500 is about to launch in Australia with a new twin-turbo inline-six that has more grunt than its V8 predecessor.
The 2025 Ram 1500 is just weeks away from Australian showrooms, having already been unveiled in the United States where it went on sale last year.
The Ram 1500 trailed deliveries of its Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado rivals in the US last year, but remained Australia's single best-selling US pick-up after it and its larger siblings kick-started the category locally a decade ago.
The facelift of the latest DT-series Ram 1500 – launched locally in 2021 – brings changes inside and out to keep it fresh against newer rivals, but it is under the bonnet where the big news is found.
Australian government approval documents show there will be three model grades – Bighorn, Laramie and Limited – with a short-wheelbase configuration standard across the range, plus a long-wheelbase option on the Bighorn.
The 'standard-output' engine tune will be standard in the Bighorn and Laramie, producing 313kW – up from 291kW from the old V8 – while the Limited will use a 403kW high-output tune.
Torque outputs are not listed in Australian homologation documents, but US models quote 636Nm for the standard-output and 736Nm for the high-output tunes, against 556Nm for the V8.
All versions use an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, with low- and high-range.
A six-cylinder Ram 1500 RHO has been released in the US as an indirect successor for the supercharged V8-powered 1500 TRX – although rumours persist the new name means a ‘true’ TRX may return in future – with the RHO name trademarked in Australia.
It is yet to be confirmed for Australia but may join the line-up at a later date.
It uses the same high-output tune as the Limited – meaning it falls well short of the previous TRX V8’s 523kW/881Nm – but carries less weight for its official 4.6-second 0-100km/h claim only 0.1 seconds slower than the TRX.
It also loses only 0.2 seconds in the standing quarter-mile (402m) sprint, for a 13.3-second time.
Government documents list a braked towing capacity of 4500kg across the range, and payloads of 829kg to 1063kg based on tare weight – compared to 4500kg towing, and 765kg to 995kg payloads for the outgoing version.
It is thanks to a 55kg boost in gross vehicle mass, and weight down by up to 29kg, according to the documentation. Final payload and weight figures are yet to be confirmed by Ram Trucks Australia.
Exterior design changes include a redesigned grille, slimmer headlights, a larger Ram badge, and new tail-lights, as well as fresh exterior colours and fresh wheel designs ranging from 18 to 22 inches in diameter.
Core dimensions remain unchanged, with its 5916mm length, 2474mm width and 1971mm height across a 3672mm wheelbase on standard models. Long-wheelbase models stretch to a 3898mm wheelbase and 6142mm length.
The Laramie will be available with a RamBox cargo management system, according to government documents.
Changes inside include larger displays – 12- or 14.5-inch infotainment screens in place of 8.4- and 12-inch units, with US models adding a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger to access entertainment and voice-activated navigation.
While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility – including dual wireless phone charging – is offered, the infotainment will use the most recent Uconnect 5 software and new processors promised to be five times faster than before, enabling functions as a digital key.
There are also improved cabin materials, including quilted leather on higher-spec models.
Driver assistance technology includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), as well as adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the current Australian Ram 1500 line-up starts at $119,950 before on-road costs for the Big Horn, the Laramie at $137,970 and the Limited priced at $156,950.
