The Ram 1500 has swapped its Hemi V8 engine for a twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ six-cylinder, with the heavily updated and better-equipped pickup due to arrive in Australia mid-year.
Ram unveiled its turbo-six 1500 in November 2023, and the Hurricane-powered pickup has finally gone on sale in Australia, bringing not only a new and more potent engine but also new equipment.
Initially launching in two grades, prices start from $141,950 before on-road costs for the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport, and $159,950 before on-roads for the 1500 Limited.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
-
1500 Limited
While that means the price of entry has risen by $22,000 over the previous base 1500 Big Horn, the Laramie Sport is no more expensive than it was with Hemi V8 power, despite scoring more features and a more powerful engine.
With 313kW and 635Nm, the twin-turbo 3.0-litre ‘Standard Output’ Hurricane engine under the 1500 Laramie Sport’s bonnet is 22kW and 79Nm up on the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 from the pre-update model.
The 1500 Limited is now $3000 dearer, however it’s now powered by the ‘High Output’ version of the Hurricane engine, which produces 403kW and 707Nm.
Six-cylinder engines aren’t all that’s new in the 1500, with refreshed looks for the pickup, coming with it a power tailgate that can be closed with a touch of a button.
Inside, the cabin has received a significant update, with the digital instrument cluster growing from 12 to 12.3 inches, the infotainment touchscreen now measuring 14.4 inches (up from 12 inches), and the passenger now getting their own 10.25-inch screen.
This screen can allow passengers to connect their smartphones to it via a HDMI port and display videos, or they can use it to program destinations into the navigation system that can be shown on the infotainment screen.
Of course, it’s covered in a privacy film so the driver can’t look at it.
Also new inside the cabin are massaging front seats for the Limited.
Deliveries of the Ram 1500 are due to begin mid-year.
Previously published government approval documents show Big Horn and Laramie versions have been approved for sale in Australia, which indicates these could arrive later.
Pricing
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport | $141,950 (up $22,000 over Big Horn, no change vs V8 Laramie Sport) |
| 2025 Ram 1500 Limited | $159,950 (up $3000 over V8 Limited) |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
The new twin-turbocharged inline six is available in two different tunes.
| Specifications | Ram 1500 Laramie Sport | Ram 1500 Limited |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | ‘Standard Output’ 3.0L twin-turbo straight-6cyl | ‘High Output’ 3.0L twin-turbo straight-6cyl |
| Power | 313kW | 403kW |
| Torque | 635Nm | 707Nm |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque-converter automatic | Eight-speed torque-converter automatic |
| Drive type | Switchable four-wheel drive | Switchable four-wheel drive |
| Fuel type | Petrol (Octane TBC) | Petrol (Octane TBC) |
| Fuel consumption | TBC | TBC |
| Fuel tank capacity | 98L | 125L |
Dimensions
Just one wheelbase length is available, at least at first.
| Ram 1500 | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5916mm |
| Width | 2057mm |
| Height | 1971mm |
| Wheelbase | 3672mm |
| Braked towing capacity | 3500kg (50mm tow ball) 4500kg (70mm tow ball) |
| Payload capacity | 863kg (Laramie Sport, up 113kg) 782kg (Limited, up 81kg) |
Servicing and Warranty
All Ram vehicles sold in Australia are backed by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Ram Australia is yet to announce service intervals and pricing for the 1500.
Safety
The Ram 1500 hasn’t been tested by ANCAP.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Junction assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Evasive steering assistance
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing camera
The 1500 Limited adds:
- Traffic sign recognition
- Surround-view camera
- Front parking sensors
Standard Equipment
Ram Trucks Australia has released a partial specifications list for the updated 1500.
The Ram 1500 Laramie Sport is fitted with:
- Standard Output Hurricane engine
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- 275/55R20 tyres
- LED headlights
- Panoramic sunroof
- Power tailgate with one-touch close function
- RamBox storage system
- Spray-in bedliner
- Automatic lowering and retracting side steps
- Five drive modes (Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow, Off-Road)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.4-inch infotainment screen
- 10.25-inch front passenger infotainment touchscreen
- Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Dual wireless smartphone charger
- 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
-
Laramie Sport
The 1500 Limited adds:
- High Output Hurricane engine
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- 285/45R22 tyres
- Air suspension with three modes (Normal, Aero and Off-Road)
- LED headlights and tail-lights with unlock animation
- Proximity lighting with Ram logo projection
- Massaging seats
- Digital rear-view mirror
Colours
A choice of four colours are available for the Ram 1500:
- Bright White
- Billet Silver
- Delmonico Red
- Diamond Black
Ram is yet to confirm how much extra the optional finishes cost.
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
