Written byKey Points:
- Warlock returns, 50 years later, with factory lifted off-road features
- Black Express adds blacked-out street appearance to Ram 2500 lineup
- The available 6.7L Cummins diesel boasts up to 1,075 lb-ft of torque
- Warlock is more focused on off-road, while Black Express is a harder-edged performance machine on the street
- Orders are open now with deliveries beginning Q3 2025 under $54K
Ram revives the legendary Warlock badge for its heavy-duty lineup for 2026—exactly 595 moons after its original introduction in the 1970s—delivering best-in-class torque, diesel power & bold looks across the Ram 2500 HD lineup. Along with a new Black Express model, these two models serve as segment leaders in both image and particular price sub-categories.
A Legacy Reborn
Debuting as a high-style performance package in 1976, Warlock was an instant classic that resonated with consumers who bought more than 10,000 packaged trucks in both of its years in production. For 2026, Ram introduces the Warlock philosophy to its heavy-duty Ram 2500 platform for the first time, more than half a century after the original Warlock was born.
Just as Ram revisits history, other brands like Chrysler with its upcoming 300 are also reviving heritage while pushing forward with modern tech.
New Ram 2500 HD Trims: Black Express vs Warlock
Black Express: Stealthy Street Presence
Available on the entry-level Tradesman, the Black Express package adds $2,495 for a base MSRP of $53,735 including destination. Power is delivered to either 4×2 or 4×4 drive layouts, and long bed or short bed configurations are offered, and it is available only in crew cab form.
Some main points of the Black Express:
- Sport performance hood, body-color bumpers, and grille surround.
- Blanked-out 20″ wheels, cab-length black tube side steps, ParkSense front/rear sensors
- Cloth bench, carpeted floor (Tradesman vinyl)
- Class-exclusive Power Convex Trailer Tow Mirrors from Ram
- Comes in eight paint schemes, including Diamond Black, Flame Red, Forged Blue, Silver Zenith, and more.
Warlock: Rugged Off-Road Attitude
The Warlock is priced at $2,995 on top of Tradesman, resulting in $57,165 with destination charge. It’s sold exclusively as a Crew Cab 4×4 with a short bed (no long-bed or 4×2 option).
Warlock standard features:
- Signature Warlock bedside decal; Black bumpers, grille surround, and fender flares
- 20″ diamond-cut wheels mounted with 34″ Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires
- Trail-tuned Bilstein shocks and transfer case skid plate
- Available with Anti-spin (limited-slip) rear differential, Hill Descent Control, all-weather floor mats
- Heavy-duty floor mats and 40/20/40 bench seating
It cranks the off-road and machismo factors derived from its lineage.
Need more options for off-road adventure and space? Our roundup of SUVs with 3rd row and captain seats has some great choices for families who explore.
Read More:
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- 2025 Ford Expedition Outsells Chevy Tahoe by Surprise Margin in Best Quarter in 20 Years
Diesel Muscle & Towing Dominance
Both new trims provide two powertrain choices:
- Standard: 6.4-litre HEMI V8 producing 405hp and 429 lb-ft of torque
- Optional: 6.7-litre High-Output Cummins inline-6 turbo diesel, rated at 430 hp and a massive 1,075 lb-ft of torque
Towing up to 20,000lb when properly equipped, the diesel engine and payload potential max out in the neighborhood of 4,420lb, depending on configuration. The big torque and strong transmission options carry a lot of heft and might for hauling and performance.
All versions employ Ram’s class-exclusive five-link coil rear suspension, which provides a level of ride comfort unmatched by leaf-spring configurations when fully loaded or empty.
Warlock Towing Capacity: Diesel Power in an Off-Road Package
The optional diesel even makes a lot of sense for Warlock-trim buyers. The 20,000lb towing rating and capabilities of 1,075 lb-ft of torque are as menacingly good-looking on the road as the truck appears from its chin”. With its full-load 4×4 hardware — limited‐slip differential, skid plate, hill descent control — it’s designed to take heavy trailers into rough country with confidence.
Orders Open Now, Arrive Q3 2025
Ram started taking orders in late June 2025, and deliveries are slated to occur in Q3 2025. Both engine configurations are put together at Ram’s Saltillo, Mexico, facility.
Looking to time your new car purchase? Here’s when 2026 cars come out in the U.S. so you can plan it right.
Final Take
Back after 50 years, the 2026 Ram 2500 Warlock is a statement: Diesel grunt and off-road swagger now come at a price, without breaking the bank. And, in a similar vein, the Black Express is a street-styled, brawny-looking tarmac-hard-hitter that has the hauling credentials to match, all wrapped up in a solid black heavy-duty truck.
Both trims extend Ram’s sport truck philosophy into the ¾-ton space, with massive engines and badass aesthetics. Whether you want diesel towing, off-road cred, or blacked-out style, Ram’s new trims serve it up.
