The heavy-duty Ram 2500 is coming to Australian showrooms, with an even heavier-duty 3500 on the way.
It’s priced at $157,950 before on-road costs for the 2500 Laramie Crew Cab, with the RamBox option bringing the price up to $162,900 before on-roads.
It’s on sale now, with the 3500 set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The burly 2500 is powered by a 6.7-litre inline-six Cummins intercooled turbo-diesel producing 276kW of power at 2800rpm and 1152Nm of torque from just 1700rpm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
That gives it a maximum braked towing capacity of up to 8.0 tonnes when fitted with air brakes and an appropriate tow hitch.
The RamBox option adds weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage bins to the tub.
Compared to the last 2500, there are new front and rear axles, new engine mounts, new frames with 98.5 per cent high-strength steel, and a new braking system.
It’s also lighter by up to 64kg due to more extensive use of lightweight materials in the frame and powertrain, plus an aluminium bonnet.
Despite its bluff visage, the 2500 has a drag coefficient of .409.
There are progressive springs and upgraded bushings for the suspension, with a five-link coil design at the rear.
Frequency Responsive Damping shocks are used at all four corners, which Ram says allows the 2500 to have “sports-car-like suspension for handling and a supple suspension on rough terrain”.
The 2500, like the 1500, is converted locally and uses over 400 locally-sourced new parts.
While other local outfits convert Ram trucks, Ram Trucks Australia is the only factory-authorised manufacturer of right-hand drive trucks.
The 2500 goes up against another locally-converted heavy-duty pickup, the Chevrolet Silverado HD LTZ Premium, which is priced at $144,990 before on-road costs.
Pricing
- 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab: $157,950
- 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab RamBox: $162,900
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The 2022 Ram 2500 is powered by a 6.7-litre inline-six turbo-diesel producing 276kW at 2800rpm and 1152Nm of torque from 1700rpm, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
It comes standard with four-wheel drive.
Fuel Economy
There’s currently no fuel economy rating for the Ram 2500.
It has a 117L fuel tank.
Dimensions
The 2022 Ram 2500 measures 6066mm long, 2037mm tall and 2630mm wide (including the mirrors), riding a 3785mm wheelbase.
Approach, departure and rampover angles are 22.8, 25.8 and 22 degrees, respectively.
The tub measures 1939mm long, 1687mm wide (1295mm between the arches), and 511mm deep.
With the RamBox option, cargo width is 1270mm and capacity in both storage units is 243L.
Braked towing capacity is 3500kg with a 50mm ball, 4500kg with a 70mm ball, and 8000kg with an auxiliary gooseneck tow hitch and air brakes fitted.
Payload is 835kg or 754kg with the RamBox option.
Gross vehicle mass is 4495kg and gross combination mass is 12,695kg.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2022 Ram 2500 is covered by a three-year, 100,000km warranty.
It requires servicing every six months or 12,000km, whichever comes first.
Safety
The Ram 2500, like the 1500, hasn’t been tested by ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
- Surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance
- Cargo-view camera
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional.
Standard Equipment
The Ram 2500 comes standard with the following equipment:
- 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- 10-speaker Alpine sound system
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
- Six-seat layout
- Eight-way power front seats with driver’s memory
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Keyless entry and start
- Electric rear cab window
- Rear privacy glass
- LED bed lighting
- 18-inch polished aluminium wheels
- Partial leather upholstery
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Full-size steel spare
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Active noise cancellation
The $1950 Driver Assistance Level 1 Package adds:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Colours
Metallic/pearlescent paint is $950.
Bright White is standard, with Granite Crystal and Diamond Black optional.
