Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis knows that he has a massive mountain to climb at Ram. After coming out of a brief period of retirement, the brand CEO is preparing to lead Ram into a new era with the exec recently confirming the brand will launch 25 new products over the next 18 months. Some of the morenotaboe early names include the return of the Hemi V8 to the Ram 1500 as well as the launch of the Ramcharger extended-range hybrid which wil be the first in its segment (albeit at the cost of the heavily delayed Ram REV 1500.)

However, some of these other products will also follow the classic Stellantis method of creating special editions with the brand confirming the Black Express and Warlock packages are finally moving to the HD models as the truck brand attempts to expand the demand of their heavy duty trucks to a wider dragnet of consumers.

Ram following consumer trends

“Everyone likes a good-looking truck, but the challenge is making it affordable while adding value to the entire lineup,” said Kuniskis in a statement that accompanied Ram’s release.

This focus on looks is the driving force behind the Black Express and Warlock models which were once relegated to the lighter 1500 models. Like those versions of the two, the transition to HD duty maintains some ofthe core essentials with Black Express models getting a sport performance hood with built-in scoop and side mounted plastic louvers with plenty of black trim splashed in to make the truck look more sinister.

Meanwhile, the Warlock is targeting the trail warriors of the world and while it gets the same splashes of black trim as the Black Express models and a spiffy Warlock graphic on the bed sides, all Warlocks get 20-inch wheels shod in 34-inch-tall Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires. A limited slip rear differential is part of the package too and the suspension is beefed up with Bilstein sourced shocks that are tuned for better off-road handling. A skid plate and hill descent control are standard as well but since the Warlock starts life as a base Tradesman model, it gets cloth bench seats and carpet.

Read the fine print

With all of the things both of these special editions bring to the table, it can be easy to forget about the fine print. Both models are crew cabs only with the main difference being in the length of the beds and drive selection. Black Express models can be equipped either as a 4×2 or a 4×4 with the short or long bed. Warlocks on the other hand are 4×4 only and get the short bed exclusively.

In exchange for some of these caveats, buyers get access to both of the HD’s engines with the 405 hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 being the standard engine while the 430 hp 6.7 liter Cummins turbodiesel being the optional engine. Both of these power plants come with an eight-speed automatic. Dealers are taking orders for the duo now with the trucks expected to arrive in dealer showrooms later this year. They will also be built in limited numbers but Ram stopped short of revealing a cut off number for production.