SPY PICS: RAM Rebel TRX Hellcat spotted

As the all-American V8-powered RAM 1500 ute continues to find favour in Australia, a new hero model has emerged.

Powered by the same tyre-shredding 6.2-litre supercharged V8 (527kW/880Nm) as the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, the beefy new RAM 1500 Rebel TRX was originally shown as a concept in 2016 but these new spy pics and video suggest it's almost ready to rumble.

Tipped to be the most powerful RAM 1500 pick-up ever made, the Ford F-150 Raptor-rivalling beast can be seen cruising away from the traffic lights with a hearty V8 gurgle in the video.

Although the RAM Rebel TRX is unlikely to match the Dodge Hellcat's 3.6 second 0-100km/h acceleration time (no or its 320km/h top speed), it should be at least as fast as its Ford rival.

Like the Hellcat, the Rebel TRX will probably be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

As well as blistering on-road performance the RAM 1500 Rebel TRX is also expected to be a bona fide sand dune jumper, with a more capable suspension setup likely to feature heavy-duty shock absorbers (dampers).

Look closely at some of the spy photos and you'll notice suspension has been covered up in the rear wheel arches, above the wheels. This is to presumably hide the upgraded suspension rig.

The RAM Rebel TRX concept car from 2016 was equipped with a five link live rear axle, bypass dampers and beefed-up coil springs with more suspension travel at the front end, which would theoretically allow it to cope with serious terrain undulations at speed.

Big 380mm front disc brakes and 355mm rear discs with Baer six-piston monoblock callipers were also part of concept and although the rear brakes look big in the spy pics, it's tricky to tell from the photos how big the front brakes are.

Production models will almost certainly benefit from interior upgrades, such as more heavily bolstered sports seats and various colour and trim changes throughout. Extra off-road modes could also be part of the package, designed to facilitate high-speed mud-slinging.

It's not the first time RAM has commissioned a crazy-fast ute either. The RAM SRT-10 from 2004 was powered by the Dodge Viper's V10 engine, a whopping 8.3-litre petrol powerplant that cranked out 373kW.

While American Special Vehicles (ASV) converts RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 utes to right-hand drive for sale in Australia, it's not clear whether the company will offer the RAM Rebel TRX here.

The ludicrously powerful pick-up truck is tipped to go on sale in the USA in 2020.