2026 RAM 1500 TRX comeback announced

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has announced the 2026 RAM 1500 TRX will be back on sale as soon as early next year, with the full-size ute hotly tipped to return with even more power and performance in its bid to overtake the Ford Raptor R.

Announcing RAM would revive its Hellcat-powered super-ute during the US brand’s second quarter earnings call, resurrecting the RAM 1500 TRX is said to be a sign of Stellantis making North America its number one priority, with Filosa promising more new products to boost sales within the region.

The Stellantis boss didn’t reveal any more intel on the RAM 1500 TRX, but it’s thought the supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 will pack more performance than the old truck that pumped out a ludicrous 523kW and 882Nm of torque.

Reports suggest on its relaunch next year the 1500 TRX will produce at least 537kW, matching the current 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor R, although some suggest it will produce even more than that as the super-ute arms race is reignited.

To help keep it fresh, RAM is expected to carry over some of the exterior updates introduced by the 1500 RHO to freshen up its V8-powered flagship.

Both the unhinged TRX version and the less powerful 5.7-litre HEMI V8s were originally pensioned off for a family of lighter and more efficient inline six-cylinder Hurricane engines.

Many RAM owners were not impressed, especially when the substantially less powerful 1500 RHO ‘only’ mustered 403kW/736Nm.

Helping build the business case for its return Stateside has also been the Trump Administration’s decision to abandon mandates for EVs and attempting to loosen any emission regulations.

Despite publicly admitting it was a mistake to drop the V8, both the return of the RAM 1500 with the HEMI and the reboot of the much wilder 1500 TRX still might never make it back to Australia.

Even if both the HEMI and Hellcat V8-powered 1500 are greenlit, it might take as long as 12 to 18 months before it is redeveloped for right-hand drive. That would see it land in 2027, just as more stringent Australian emissions targets are expected.

The delay is thought to be caused by RAM’s decision to introduce its next-generation electrical architecture with the facelifted 1500 truck, which might need to be reengineered as part of the right-hand drive conversion and could prove uneconomical without full factory support and backing.

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