Meet The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX – The Ultimate Raptor Killer:

The long wait is over and the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is here. We have been drooling over details of the Hellcat-powered performance off-roader for some time now and now we are getting to see and hear about the final details about RAM’s ultimate “Raptor Killer”.

RAM has made it clear, that the brand’s mission is now to go after Ford’s title as the best-selling trucks in America and the TRX (also called the T-Rex) is a big piece of the missing puzzle that Ram has lacked from taking on Ford directly.

Let’s start with the obvious, the powertrain. Under the hood, we have a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® HELLCAT V8 engine delivering an amazing 702 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque. The supercharged HEMI is mated to a ZF-based 8HP95 8-speed automatic transmission, which is the same unit found in the current 2020 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Shifting gears has never been easier with the help of massive aluminum paddle shifters located behind the performance-inspired steering wheel or the all-new center console-mounted shifter. A 3.55 rear gear ratio comes standard on the TRX.

“The all-new 2021 Ram TRX sets the benchmark for extreme performance pickup trucks and solidifies Ram Truck’s position as the off-road truck leader,” said Mike Koval, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – North America. “Ram has a strong history of high-performance trucks and TRX adds to that while expanding the light-duty lineup with the segment’s best combination of performance, capability, luxury, and technology.”

When it comes to performance, the TRX lays down some very impressive numbers. With a top speed of 118 mph, a 0 to 60 mph of 4.5-seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 12.9-seconds at 108 mph, might not sound as fast as the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, it is blistering fast for a full-size pickup. The 2021 Ram TRX can also do up to 32-inches of water fording, towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, and a maximum payload capacity of 1,310 pounds, the Ram TRX shows it doesn’t give up capability for performance.

The TRX features an all-new aggressive look thanks to its new “hourglass” body design that is made up of composite flares and fender wells. The new-look blends the look from the Rebel TRX Concept with the sculpted looks of the fifth-generation Ram 1500. The TRX is 8-inches wider compared to the Ram 1500 Rebel and its composite flares help to compensate for a 6-inch increase in track width. On a typical Ram 1500, a wheel is around 8-inches wide, while the TRX features massive 9-inches wheels.

The front axle was shifted 20-millimeters forwards to help accommodate the new 18-inch x 9-inch Beadlock-ready wheels with color-matched rings wrapped aggressive 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain tires.

Because of regulations requiring vehicles of over 80-inches in width, RAM has equipped the TRX with LED clearance marker lights that are located in the front bumper, while an all-new aluminum hood with a functional hood scoop has LED featured inside the scoop. ll-black premium LED headlamps, including twin bi-functional projector headlamps, are standard. This gives the TRX an all-new menacing light signature that further sets TRX apart from the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup.
 
The new hood scoop helps up to 50% of intake air to the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI, while the other 50% comes from the grille. The new grille also a new unique R-A-M logo which is bigger and allows air to flow through it. This design element was first shown on the Rebel OTG Concept which was shown at the SEMA last year.

TRX customers can trick out their pickup with an optional full-length rock rail for added body/sill protection or traditional off-road powder-coated aluminum running boards. Optional body-side and hood graphics are available as a pair or separately and can be applied at the factory.

The Ram TRX features a new box outer panels made of steel and are much wider than the traditional Ram 1500. A bed-mounted spare tire carrier is available through Mopar, in addition to the traditional full-size spare tire that sits underneath the bed, between the rear axle and trailer hitch. Premium LED taillamps are standard on TRX and the bezels allow for the Blind-spot Monitoring function to see around the extended box outers.

Going to the rear of the truck, the Rebel’s R-A-M badge features across the tailgate. The center identification marker lights required for regulations, like what comes on Ram Heavy Duty models, is tucked between the tailgate and rear bumper. New oversized tow hooks are found at the front and rear of the truck, and integrated 5-inch dual exhaust ports driving the functional performance objective home.

We will be digging deeper into the Ram TRX’s interior and technology features later today, so stay tuned. 
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