Ram 2500 Power Wagon: Hardcore off-road hauler on the cards for Oz

Australia could soon be home to yet another hardcore hauler, with Ram here putting "its hand in the air" for the all-new 2500 Power Wagon.

Ateco (the company responsible for bringing the Ram range to Australia, where they're re-manufactured for our market by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group) has actually always had its eye on the Power Wagon, but says its popularity in the USA restricted its access to the vehicle for Australia.

But with a new Heavy Duty (the vehicle on which the Power Wagon is based) launched in the USA and confirmed for an Australian launch in 2020, Ram Trucks here will again push for the Power Wagon to round out its range.

And while it is yet to be confirmed, it's understood the brand is looking to launch the off-road-focused Power Wagon after the Heavy Duty's local launch, given the engineering work required will largely mirror what will have already been done.

Based on the Heavy duty, the Power Wagon is a 4WD beast, with unique off-road suspension, locking differentials at the front and rear, standard sway-bar disconnect and a 5443kg-rated winch. It is offered internationally with a choice of 6.4-litre Hemi V8 or a 6.7-litre Cummins diesel, the latter of which Ram claims "out-powers, out-tows and out-hauls every other pickup available". 

And the numbers are impressive, with Ram claiming some 15,921kg of towing capacity and 3484kg in payload (acccording to US ratings). The V8 petrol is good for 306kW and 582Nm, while the whopping Cummins diesel punches out 298kW and a whopping 1356Nm. A lower-tune version of the diesel produces 276kW and 1152Nm of torque.

It is understood Australia is most interested in the high-output diesel, which arrives with a Aisin six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

"The Power Wagon is clearly an outstanding vehicle in its class, and we would love to see it in Australia," say spokesperson Edward Rowe. "But it's all dependent on the factory being able to supply it, due to its amazing success in North America. Of course we have our hand up for it."

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