Twin-turbo inline-six versions of the Ram 1500 have been approved for sale in Australia ahead of the launch of the facelifted model.
The facelifted 2025 Ram 1500 has been approved for sale in Australia with a new twin-turbo inline-six.
Government approval documents reveal the Ram 1500 will offer a standard-output tune for its new 3.0-litre ‘Hurricane’ inline-six in Big Horn and Laramie trims, while the top-of-the-range Limited has the high-output tune.
Announced in the United States 12 months ago, the twin-turbo inline-six replaces Hemi 5.7-litre naturally-aspirated V8 versions of the big ute which have now entered run-out in Australia.
The six-cylinder offers more power than the Hemi V8 in standard and high-output tunes, along with promising improved fuel consumption and emissions.
Ateco Group, the distributor of Ram Trucks in Australia, told Drive earlier this month the company has “nothing to officially confirm at this stage” with further news about the updated model to be confirmed in due course.
Big Horn and Laramie variants with the standard-output ‘S.O.’ tune have 313kW and 636Nm – up from 291kW/556Nm in the Hemi V8 – while the Limited offers 403kW/736Nm with its high-output ‘H.O.’ tune.
A new rear axle is fitted to models with the turbo engines for improved comfort over bumps.
The Ram 1500 line-up will continue to be offered in Australia with a short-wheelbase Big Horn trim with a 1.7-metre tub, a long-wheelbase Big Horn with a 1.9-metre tub, and long-wheelbase Laramie.
It will also be offered in Laramie form with an optional RamBox cargo management system, and the top-of-the-range Limited with the RamBox as standard.
A new ‘RHO’ model has launched in the United States with similar off-road capability to the now-discontinued TRX super ute – which offered a 523kW/881Nm 6.2-litre supercharged ‘Hellcat’ V8 – but sharing its far less powerful 403kW twin-turbo V6 with the Limited.
The Ram 1500 RHO has not been approved for sale in Australia, however it is likely to join the line-up at a later date.
Design revisions for the 2025 model include a restyled front fascia – with slimmer headlights, a new grille design and a larger Ram badge – revised LED tail-light signatures, and a power-operated tailgate which can be activated from the key.
Inside, the 2025 Ram 1500 features larger infotainment touchscreens – 12- and 14.5-inch replacing 8.4 and 12-inch previously – with the latest Uconnect 5 software and more processing power said to be five times quicker than before.
A new 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger is also fitted as standard to the Limited variant in the United States – but it is unclear if it will be offered in Australia.
Other updates in the cabin include new seat trim and dashboard insert materials, a dual wireless phone charger, and – in the United States – a digital key function for the driver’s phone.
The new inline-six makes the Ram 1500 the second full-size US pick-up to ditch V8 power, following the Toyota Tundra’s switch to a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with or without hybrid technology in its latest generation.
While the Ford F-150 remains available with a naturally-aspirated V8 in the United States, it is exclusively offered through its official Ford Australia channel with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6.
The Ram 1500’s switch to a twin-turbo six-cylinder in Australia will leave the Chevrolet Silverado as the only full-size US pick-up to offer a petrol engine with eight cylinders.
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