RAM 2500

Overview

The 2026 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty is a full-size American heavy-duty pickup that New Zealand receives as a single, fully-specified build: the Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 running the High-Output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel inline-six paired with the Heavy Duty TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic — the first time this High-Output/8-speed combination has been offered in New Zealand, per Ram Trucks New Zealand's own launch material. The truck is remanufactured to factory-standard right-hand drive by Walkinshaw Automotive Technologies, built on a dedicated RHD production line supplying the Ram Trucks programme for both Australia and New Zealand.

Unlike Australia — which splits its 2500 range into a standard-output Laramie, a RamBox-equipped Laramie, and a separate High-Output Laramie — New Zealand's 2500 lineup consolidates to this one High-Output Laramie Crew Cab specification. RamBox integrated bed storage and the Heavy Duty Tow Pack are available as factory-fitted options on top of the single New Zealand build, rather than as separate model lines. IPAS sources this vehicle ex-works New Zealand for export.

Variants

New Zealand's 2026 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty range is a single specification, with two factory options layered on top of it.

Factory options available on the New Zealand build

• RamBox® Cargo Management System — lockable, drainable, illuminated bed-side storage bins built into the tub rails. IPAS carries this as a separate RamBox-equipped variant record for catalog purposes, but on the New Zealand line it is a factory option on the one Laramie Crew Cab spec, not a distinct model.
• Heavy Duty Tow Pack® — uprated towing hardware that lifts braked towing capacity toward the top of the truck's rated range.

Note: Australia additionally offers a standard-output (non-High-Output) Laramie Crew Cab tune; New Zealand's single retail spec is the High-Output engine only.

Engine & Performance

Engine: High-Output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel inline-six Power: 313 kW Torque: 1,458 Nm Transmission: Heavy Duty TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic (replaces the 6-speed 68RFE unit used on lower-output Ram HD models) Drivetrain: Part-time 4x4 with 2H/4H/4L low-range transfer case, shift-on-the-fly 4H Axles & suspension: Heavy-duty solid front and rear axles with tow-tuned leaf-spring rear suspension Braking aid: "Smart" diesel exhaust brake with selectable on/off/auto settings for controlled descents under load Drive modes: Tow/Haul mode adjusts shift patterns and engine braking for towing

This is the first model year the High-Output Cummins/8-speed combination has been offered in New Zealand, per Ram Trucks New Zealand's own marketing material — prior New Zealand Ram 2500 stock ran the lower-output Cummins tune with the 6-speed 68RFE automatic.

Dimensions & Capacities

Ram Trucks New Zealand's retail site does not publish a standalone compliance-plate dimension sheet for this model. The figures below are drawn from the mechanically identical Walkinshaw-built 2500 Heavy Duty Crew Cab as documented across the shared Australia/New Zealand right-hand-drive programme, and should be treated as indicative pending confirmation against the New Zealand compliance plate.

Exact compliance-plate figures for the New Zealand-delivered truck may vary slightly by tow-pack and options fitment; treat these as best-available figures pending direct confirmation from Ram Trucks New Zealand.

Exterior Colours

Ram Trucks New Zealand's official site and current dealer stock (Andrew Simms Ram, Farmer Auto Village) confirm at least Diamond Black as an available/in-stock colour on the New Zealand Laramie Crew Cab. The wider Laramie colour palette — shared across the Walkinshaw-built Australia/New Zealand right-hand-drive programme and referenced on Australian retail listings for the mechanically identical High-Output truck — includes:

Colour-by-spec availability for the New Zealand build should be confirmed against the live Ram Trucks New Zealand configurator or current dealer stock, since the local range carries only the single Laramie High Output specification.

Features & Technology

Safety & ADAS

• Trailer Brake Control with integrated Trailer Sway Control
• "Smart" diesel exhaust brake
• Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path and trailer detection
• Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking
• 360-degree Surround View camera system
• Active Lane Management
• Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Drowsy Driver Detection

Infotainment & Connectivity

• Uconnect 5 NAV with 12-inch touchscreen and split-screen functionality
• Dual wireless charging pads

Comfort & Interior

• Five-seat Crew Cab layout
• Heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats
• Full-length floor console with storage
• 60/40 stadium-folding rear bench
• Power sunroof
• Ambient interior lighting
• Active noise cancellation

Exterior

• Mopar Sport Performance Hood
• Black accents on badging, grille and wheels
• 18-inch black alloy wheels
• LED headlamps and front fog lamps
• Deployable bed step
• Spray-in bed liner with LED bed lighting

All features listed are standard on the single New Zealand Laramie High Output specification unless noted as part of the optional RamBox or Heavy Duty Tow Pack packages described in the Variants section.

Towing & Hauling

Braked towing capacity: ranges from approximately 4,500 kg to 6,900 kg depending on configuration, per Ram Trucks New Zealand's own published figures — the top end of that range is reached with the Heavy Duty Tow Pack factory option fitted. Unbraked towing: approximately 750 kg (typical for this class; confirm against the compliance plate). Gross Combination Mass (GCM): approximately 12,750 kg — sourced from the mechanically identical Australia/New Zealand High-Output build; treat as indicative pending New Zealand-specific confirmation. Fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing: the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty platform is globally rated up to approximately 9,070 kg (20,000 lb) in specific configurations; New Zealand compliance figures for gooseneck/fifth-wheel setups should be confirmed with Ram Trucks New Zealand before ordering towing hardware. Towing aids: integrated trailer brake controller with dashboard-mounted control, 12-pin trailer wiring harness, Trailer Sway Control, "Smart" diesel exhaust brake for controlled descents, and Tow/Haul drive mode.

The High-Output Cummins/8-speed combination is the New Zealand range's sole (and top-rated) towing specification — there is no lower-output alternative on sale locally.

Warranty & Service

IPAS sources this Ram 2500 ex-works from New Zealand, with export shipments departing Port of Tauranga.

As sold new in New Zealand, Ram Trucks New Zealand backs the Laramie Crew Cab High Output with a 3-year / 100,000 km warranty. Recommended service intervals mirror the wider Walkinshaw-built Australia/New Zealand right-hand-drive programme at every 12,000 km or 6 months, whichever comes first — New Zealand-specific service-interval documentation should be confirmed directly with Ram Trucks New Zealand or an authorised dealer (e.g. Andrew Simms Ram, Farmer Auto Village).

Warranty coverage applies to the vehicle as registered in its market of retail sale. IPAS does not represent, extend, or transfer manufacturer warranty coverage to export buyers — buyers should confirm applicable warranty and service arrangements for their destination market separately as part of the import process.