What’s this new car all about then?
The biggest, burliest Ram pick up you can buy in this part of the world has had a significant update, with the launch of the third iteration of the 2500 Heavy Duty model, marking the biggest change to the vehicle since 2021.
The 2500 was the first of the factory-supported 'remanufactured' big American pick ups to go on sale in the part of the world way back in 2016, before the 1500 was added in 2018, and rivals such as General Motors (Chevrolet Silverado), Ford (F-150) and even Toyota (Tundra) got into the whole RHD remanufacturing game in Australia.
Of course we here in New Zealand don't have quite the appetite (or space) for the enormous trucks as our Aussie cousins, so only the GM and Ram products have made it across the Tasman to our roads.
And it is that growing Aussie appetite for the big American trucks that has seen Ram take a new angle with the refreshed 2500, one that may not resonate quite as well over our side of the ditch, but certainly still holds value.
Described by Ram Trucks Australia and New Zealand as a major model overhaul rather than "just" a facelift, the new heavy duty range has been repositioned to prioritise both towing capability and luxury features in order to appeal more to the burgeoning 'Grey Nomad' market of retirees who like to caravan.
The ever-growing demand for massive off-road caravans in Australia has led to more and more people pushing the limits of what the likes of a Ford Ranger or Toyota Prado can safely pull, so the idea of aiming the 2500 directly at a lot of buyers who are not short of coin (those caravans can easily break the $200k mark after all...) and need to drag big things around makes a lot of sense.
Except, not so much here, where the 2500 was pretty much a workhorse for boat builders and the like, so an added layer of luxury could actually put some potential buyers off. However, there is also an additional wrinkle to that equation, as the more luxurious refreshed 2500 is actually cheaper than the old workhorse it replaces. But more on that later.
Central to the 2500's overhaul is the massively updated inline six-cylinder 6.7-litre Cummins turbo diesel engine, that now delivers 313kW of power, representing a 13 percent increase, and an absolutely massive 1458Nm of torque, which is a staggering 26 percent higher than the previous generation’s 1152 Nm.
The 2500 can carry a payload of 785kg in its tray, but if this isn't enough for you, there is the 3500 that swaps out the rear coils for a leaf spring set up that can lug a massive 1652kg.
The enhanced performance results from extensive component redesigns, including a new turbocharger, higher pressure fuel system, heavy-duty pistons, and a redesigned engine block and head. These changes provide better durability, improved suppression of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), and better acceleration - for the record, the 2500 will hammer to 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds.
The previous six-speed transmission has been swapped out for a new 8-speed automatic built in conjunction with ZF. This gearbox, combined with a new 3.42 to 1 final drive ratio, is designed to allow the engine to run at lower rpm during open road speeds, enhancing efficiency.
For heavy hauling, the 2500 HD includes standard engine braking and trailer sway control, and can haul up to 3.5 tonnes on a 50mm ball, 4.5 tonnes on a 70mm ball, and up to 6.9 tonnes when using a pintle.
With a coil-spring set up all round, the 2500 can carry a payload of 785kg in its tray, but if this isn't enough for you, there is the 3500 that swaps out the rear coils for a leaf spring set up that can lug a massive 1652kg, while also retaining the enormous towing abilities of the 2500.
More than anywhere else, the interior reflects the shift to a more luxurious focus, with the updated 2500 offering the most luxurious specification yet introduced on the heavy duty model in this part of the world.
The 2500 will easily get wheel-spin in the first three gears even while towing the massive 4000kg caravan that was on hand the launch. Again, that's what 1458Nm of torque will do for you...
Following customer demand, the vehicle has moved from a six-seater configuration (which utilised a bench seat) to a five-seater setup that now allows for a full-size centre console, while a new 12-inch dual instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment screen now stretch across the dash.
The 2500 is equipped with dual wireless smartphone charging, a feature currently unique within its class, and there are a total of eight USB ports (four USB-A and four USB-C) scattered around the enormously roomy cabin that is unique from the 1500 model, and also incorporates underseat storage and an option for a flat floor in the rear.
Both models also include a comprehensive set of safety features, including an updated lane keeping system and an improved forward collision warning system that now includes pedestrian and cyclist detection. New features include speed recognition and driver fatigue monitoring.
How much is it?
As mentioned earlier, despite the substantial overhaul and increases in power, torque, and features, the New Zealand RRP for the new model is actually less than the superseded model, with the 2500 landing for $189,990 and the 3500 for $194,990 - both represent a $10,000 reduction over the old model.
Ram Trucks Australia and New Zealand is importing a higher-specification vehicle than models commonly available off the showroom floor in the US, making many optional items standard, like the Black pack - which includes black wheels, side steps, and black badging - which is now a standard feature.
The biggest issue with towing anything with the 2500 would be how genuinely easy it is to forget that you have anything hooked up at all, as it really does make it that effortless.
As such, the only options available on the 2500 are the heavy duty towing pack (for those times you really need to haul more than 3500kg) for $5,000 and the brilliant RamBox tray that adds extra lockable storage to the tray, again for $5,000. The 3500 can have the HD towing pack, but not the RamBox.
What’s it like to drive?
Unsurprisingly, it's like a massive truck to drive. The 2500 automatically starts off in second gear unless it senses a couple of starts with a heavy load on the back, when it will start using first. But that doesn't stop it from belting to 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds. That's what 1458Nm of torque will do for you...
A judicious right foot is necessary though, as the 2500 will easily get wheel-spin in the first three gears even while towing the massive 4000kg caravan that was on hand the launch. Again, that's what 1458Nm of torque will do for you...
Speaking of that massive caravan, the 2500 simply didn't care that it was back there, effortlessly accelerating at any speed while also remaining remarkably unflustered under braking, even rather heavy breaking.
In fact, the biggest issue with towing anything with the 2500 would be how genuinely easy it is to forget that you have anything hooked up at all, as it really does make it that effortless.
The standard 2500 is easily going to do what the majority of people would ever dream of doing with a heavy duty pick up, with its absolutely colossal tow capacity and more than adequate tray payload.
In terms of ride and handling, the 2500 is very much more comfortable with a big load than without one, but it is still an impressively comfortable and composed truck. The rear suspension is noticeably firmer than a 1500, with a more brittle ride over coarse surfaces, but this smooths out nicely with a load on.
The steering is extremely light, with literally no feel or feedback, but again, is wonderfully well suited to towing, with and absolute feather-light touch and excellent accuracy.
What’s the pick of the range?
The standard 2500 is easily going to do what the majority of people would ever dream of doing with a heavy duty pick up, with its absolutely colossal tow capacity and more than adequate tray payload, leaving the 3500 to a far more niche market of buyers who need to haul the really big stuff and carry a massive amount in the tray.
What other cars should I consider?
There's not much else, to be honest. Really the only direct competition the 2500 currently has is the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty that is fractionally down on raw numbers (it packs a 6.6-litre turbo diesel V8 with 1322Nm of torque and has a 733kg payload with the option of upping that to 1386kg), but also slightly cheaper at $180,000.
But then there is the Ford Ranger Super Duty, while it is considerably down on power output (it uses the standard Ranger's 187kW 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, but recalibrated for heavy towing) it will haul an impressive 4500kg on a trailer and has an equally impressive 8000kg GCM, meaning it could well out-do the big American's in terms of tray payload. While Ford is yet to reveal the Super Duty's pricing for New Zealand yet, it is certainly going to be cheaper, with the heavy duty ranger starting at AU$97,900 in Australia.
