The Ram brand of Auburn Hills’ Stellantis Thursday unveiled the new 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
This new model expands the brand’s heavy-duty lineup and offers what the automaker calls “a unique and exceptional combination of off-road performance without sacrificing towing and payload capabilities.”
The new 2023 Ram Heavy Duty Rebel is positioned between Laramie and Power Wagon.
“Ram Heavy Duty Rebel buyers will enjoy that the newest addition to our versatile lineup offers a combination of off-road performance without having to sacrifice capability,” says Mike Koval Jr., CEO of the Ram brand for Stellantis. “Ram has a deep, rich, and strong history of the most capable off-road trucks, and the new 2023 Ram Heavy Duty Rebel adds to that history while delivering the segment’s benchmarks in comfort, luxury materials, innovation, and technology.”
According to Ram, its 2023 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel offers off-road truck buyers a wider selection with increased off-road performance and towing and payload capability. Ram Heavy Duty Rebel features “a combination of technology, performance, and a distinctive exterior appearance straight from the factory.”
Ram Heavy Duty Rebel models offer a choice between a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 with cylinder deactivation and variable-cam timing (VCT) and 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 engines.
The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel uses Power Wagon’s structure and off-road prowess as a base while offering an available 6.7-liter Cummins Standard-Output Turbo Diesel I-6 engine that produces 370 horsepower and 850 lb.-ft. of torque with a powerband that provides ample torque starting at 1,700 rpm. The 68RFE six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the turbo diesel option. The standard 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 with cylinder deactivation and VCT provides 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque and is paired with the 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission.
Exterior styling cues are shared with Power Wagon, but Rebel features unique badging and a sport performance hood from Mopar. Ram Heavy Duty Rebel also features a unique off-road suspension, a rear limited-slip differential and rear electronic locker, 20-inch wheels (optional 18-inch wheels – late availability), 33-inch off-road tires and skid plates that protect the fuel tank and transfer case. Cargo tie-downs are standard while a spray-in bedliner, LED bed lighting, and bed step are available.
An integrated front-mounted WARN Zeon-12 winch, rated at 12,000 pounds, is available on 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel models equipped with the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The winch is installed at the factory and features a fairlead and fairlead retainer that utilizes a synthetic line that is maneuverable and won’t kink or fray.
All Ram Heavy Duty trucks feature a suspension system with what the manufacturer describes as “the best ride and handling, loaded or unloaded.” The new 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel uses this exclusive five-link coil design that provides enhanced load-carrying characteristics and articulation. An available rear air suspension system also is available and further enhances best-in-class ride and handling qualities. Maximum towing for the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel is 16,870 pounds and maximum payload is 3,140 pounds.
Inside, the new 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel offers three different seating options, including a cloth bench or bucket seat, a Bristol leather bench or bucket seat and a full Natura Plus leather bucket seat. Rebel also features a 360-degree Surround View camera, which includes forward-view camera gridlines to help navigate obstacles. This system provides a single display-screen view of both sides of a trailer to assist drivers in maneuvering towing setups. An available 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster features nearly two dozen different menus. The full-color cluster features five reconfigurable tiles for at-a-glance data, or quick and easy access to the most used information. Drivers may choose between analog or digital instrumentation. All cluster settings can be saved to a user profile.
Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, full-speed forward-collision warning plus, Lane Keep Assist, Blind-spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Path detection, automatic headlamps, digital rearview mirror with tow mode and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel is available in a crew cab configuration with a six-foot, four-inch box.
The new 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starts at $67,045 plus $1,895 destination and goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2022.
