RAM 1500 TRX odds-on for Oz

The fire-breathing, supercharged RAM 1500 TRX super-ute has been confirmed for production and it's on a collision course with the iconic Ford F-150 Raptor.

Confirmed as part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ new five-year business plan, in which a deluge of new products including a Alfa Romeo GTV coupe and a Toyota HiLux-rivalling RAM one-tonne ute were also confirmed, the new full-size RAM 1500 TRX was teased in cheeky style via a Jurassic Park reference.

There's a scene from the movie where the T-Rex destroys a Raptor. See what they did there?

Yep, the RAM TRX destroying the Ford F-150 Raptor is a good way to get a message across, but beyond the dinosaur references, RAM is super keen to get the 1500 TRX to market, according to global brand boss Mike Manley.

The straight-talking FCA executive, who is also the boss of the Jeep brand, said Ford’s F-150 Raptor desert dueller was overdue for some proper competition and that's exactly what the new model will provide.

RAM’s Raptor fighter will draw inspiration from the 2016 RAM Rebel TRX concept, which was powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 – with sidepipes! – worth around 430kW.

However, there's been talk that RAM’s new pick-up hero could get a version of Dodge’s Hellcat V8.

If that turns out to be the case, the 522kW/868Nm tyre-tearing blown V8 would flummox the 336kW/691Nm outputs of the Ford F-150 Raptor's twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6.

Like the F-150 Raptor and RAM Rebel TRX concept, the production version will get tougher, jacked-up suspension, nitrogen gas shock absorbers, chunky off-road tyres, a specialised 4x4 system, high-performance brakes and loads of bash plates, underbody protection and pumped wheel-arches.

Expect one or two oversized TRX logos too.

With its striking design and intense output, the RAM 1500 TRX will become the flagship pick-up truck in the RAM range when it launches.

However, it’s a long way away from Australian showrooms, given that local RAM distributor American Special Vehicles is yet to release the existing MY18 RAM 1500 here.

That will happen next week ahead of first deliveries later this month, following this week’s release of upgraded MY18 heavy-duty RAM 2500 and 3500 models.

But the TRX is based on the all-new MY19 RAM 1500 revealed earlier this year in the US, where the superseded RAM 1500 continues on sale and new RAM 2500 and 3500 models will be released in January 2019.

And given the fire-breathing RAM 1500 TRX isn’t due in US showrooms until after 2020, it could be years before Aussies will have access to it.

Nonetheless, ASV spokesman Edward Rowe indicated that RAM’s new range-topper will be offered here eventually.

“We’re still in the launch phase of the [MY18] RAM 1500,” he said. “So we’ll make the decision when we see it but, yes, the RAM 1500 TRX is very much in the nature of what we want to sell.”

But given some local converters are charging upwards of $180,000 for the F-150 Raptor, expect to pay similar for the RAM TRX when it eventually arrives here.