The Ram 1500 Rebel is officially landing in New Zealand, injecting a serious dose of off-road prowess and twin-turbo power into its local line-up. Arriving in showrooms at the end of August, this isn’t a limited special edition; the Rebel is here to stay as a permanent, and very welcome, part of the range. For years, the Rebel has been the unobtainable, off-road-focused model Kiwis have admired from afar. Now, as Ram Trucks prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in New Zealand, it’s finally here, and it’s bringing a storm with it, a ‘Hurricane’.
The biggest news sits under the aggressive ‘power bulge’ bonnet. The MY25 Rebel is powered by the new-generation 3.0-litre twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder ‘Hurricane’ engine. While some may mourn the departure of the 5.7-litre Hemi V8, the numbers don’t lie. The Hurricane puts out a formidable 313kW and 635Nm of torque, that’s a 7.6% jump in power and a hefty 14.2% increase in torque over the old V8. The result? A truck that’s not only more powerful but faster, with independent tests showing 0-100km/h in 6 seconds or less.
The Rebel name isn’t just for show; this truck is kitted out for serious adventure right from the factory. The foundation is a set of high-riding Bilstein off-road shock absorbers, which provide a one-inch suspension lift over the standard 1500. This increased clearance works in tandem with aggressive 32-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tyres wrapped around unique 18-inch wheels.
To protect its vital organs, the Rebel is fitted with underbody skid plates for the front cross-member, transfer case, and fuel tank.An E-locker rear differential provides maximum traction when the going gets tough, while five selectable driving modes (Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow, Off-Road) and a ‘Selec-Speed’ off-road cruise control function allow the driver to tailor the truck’s response to any terrain.
“We know Kiwi Ute buyers don’t just want tough; they want uncompromising capability,” said Todd Groves, Ram Trucks New Zealand General Manager. “The Ram 1500 Rebel delivers with black-accented tough-truck styling, a heavy-duty payload, increased ground clearance, off-road suspension and tyres, and a 4.5-tonne towing capacity.”
Proving you don’t have to rough it when you’re off the grid, Ram Trucks NZ has loaded the Rebel with features that are often costly options in the US market. The cabin is a tech-lover’s dream, dominated by a massive 14.4-inch central infotainment screen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. But the real party trick is the class-exclusive 10.25-inch front passenger screen. Covered by a privacy film to avoid distracting the driver, this screen allows the co-pilot to manage music, watch movies via an HDMI connection, or even act as a navigator by searching for destinations and sending them to the main screen. The luxury continues with a huge panoramic sunroof, a thunderous 19-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, heated front and outer-rear seats, and a distinctive red-and-black interior trim with Rebel-specific stitching.
“You shouldn’t have to choose between capability and luxury,” Groves added.
Groves added.
Priced at $159,990 plus on-road costs, the MY25 Ram 1500 Rebel is locked and loaded. It comes standard with a full-size rear tub (no RamBox, meaning a larger cargo area), a spray-in bed liner, and a 4.5-tonne tow bar, making it ready to haul gear straight off the showroom floor. With its menacing looks, potent new engine, and a feature list as long as its wheelbase, the Rebel is set to be a formidable new force in the premium ute segment.
New Zealand motoring editor/journalist and published author. Besotted with cars and the experiences they give. I'm a family guy with a bark that's bigger than my bite and prefer football over rugby any day of any week.
