Raptor-baiting RAM 1500 TRX leaked

Close-up images of the upcoming 2021 RAM 1500 TRX have surfaced this week, including interior shots that confirm the range-topping variant’s name and under-bonnet pictures showing it will indeed be powered by Fist Chrysler’s ferocious Hellcat blown V8.

The new RAM range-topper is yet to be officially unveiled but will be based on the redesigned 2020 RAM 1500 due on sale in Australia soon and has been confirmed for production following a previous-generation concept preview way back in 2016.

Now, as you can see from these screen-shots from a video posted by TFL Offroad, the 2021 RAM TRX will be equipped with an SRT supercharger, confirming it will be powered by FCA’s ballistic Hellcat V8.

The force-fed 6.2-litre bent eight produces 522kW/868Nm in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, 594kW/959Nm in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and a dizzying 626kW/1044Nm in the limited-edition Dodge Demon drag car.

Any of those outputs would make the 2021 RAM 1500 TRX a serious threat to the Ford F-150 Raptor. Indeed, in line with FCA’s tradition of hiding ‘easter eggs’ in its vehicles, RAM makes it clear the TRX aims to eat the Raptor for breakfast.

As you can seen in this screen grab from the bottom of the centre console, there’s an image depicting a Velociraptor dinosaur being chased down by a Tyrannosaurus Rex (TRX, geddit?).

The unattributed images in TFL Offroad’s video also show more of the truck’s interior, including sports seats with heavy side bolstering, black leather seat trim with red stitching and bold red TRX logos.

Apart from a new trailer steering system activated from the dash, another feature of the TRX will be a conventional automatic gear shifter instead of the controversial dash-mounted rotary dial featured on other RAM models.

Like other RAM Trucks Australia products, the new RAM 1500 will be imported and converted to right-hand drive at the Walkinshaw Group facility in Melbourne.

As we’ve reported, RAM Trucks Australia says it’s keen to add products like the TRX to the range, but that’s unlikely to happen until next year.

TFL Offroad’s sources say the 2021 RAM 1500 TRX’s official reveal is only around a month away, which is entirely possible given the production readiness of the vehicle in these images, but production won’t commence in the US until September.

Stand by for more details as they emerge…