Ram Rebel TRX

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Ram Rebel TRX
Ram-rebel-trx-concept-cars-coffee-fca-2017.jpg
Ram Rebel TRX
Overview
ManufacturerFCA US LLC (2014-present)
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size pickup truck
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Powertrain
EngineSupercharged 6.2 L (378 cu in)
702 horsepower
TransmissionTorqueFlite 8HP70

The Ram Rebel TRX is a 4x4 truck designed and produced by the FCA US LLC design studio for the 2016 Texas State Fair, introduced on September 29th of that year as an engineering, design and consumer-interest study.[1] On June 1, 2018, Mike Manley, then head of Ram and Jeep, announced a production truck based on the TRX will be produced as a 2021 model year according to the five year plan.[2][3] On August 17th 2020, the Ram TRX Launch Edition was unveiled for the 2021 model year.[4]

Development History[]

The non-production modifications of the concept prototype include 37" tires mounted on Mopar 18" bead-lock wheels featuring body color matched rings, two full size spare wheels and tires in a bed mount configuration also featuring a lockable unit housing a jack, tow strap, and room for more tools. Other production departures include a six inch wider track with extended fenders to cover the wider wheel base, giving the truck an hourglass look when viewed from above, LED clearance lights, a tire rack mounted LED light bar, five inch side exhaust integrated into protective rock rails, skid plates, a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI engine based on the popular Hellcat featured in Dodge Chargers, Challengers, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, but detuned for the truck application to 575 horsepower mated to a TorqueFlite 8HP70 transmission and a BorgWarner 44-45 transfer case. The drive train features four modes from which to choose: Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-road and Baja. The rear axle is a Dynatrac Pro 60 and the vehicle also features an electronic axle locker available in all modes. The modified suspension is built onto a stock "DS" Series Ram platform 1500 frame. The link coil based suspension is upgraded with performance springs, 2.5" King Racing Shocks and feature a 40% increase in travel to 13" front and rear from the standard 9".

The interior also features multiple deviations from the stock Ram Rebel 1500 including suede inserts in the seats, "sport-sanctioned lateral support upper bolsters with embroidered logos", six point harnesses, cloth door pulls, a console shifter, a rotary selector for the various drive modes, an anodized steering wheel with accent stitching, paddle shifters, a tool bag featuring TRX labeling, carbon fiber and red metal inlays, a camera mount near the rearview mirror, and a sport bar to which the six point harnesses mount. The concept also features a non-production shade of "Header Red" that was applied in thirty different coats.[5][6]

Ram announced the production model TRX Launch Edition on August 17th 2020, to be released as a 2021 model. Differences include a new body based on the 5th generation RAM Pickup, a more powerful non-detuned engine making 702 horsepower, a functional hood scoop with integrated clearance lights, and a new interior based around the UConnect 12 infotainment system. Launch edition models were limited to 702 units and available in an exclusive Anvil Gray colorway.[7]

Reception[]

After the unveiling of the concept at the 2016 Texas State Fair, multiple online media published positive reactions:

"For now, all we can do is dream about owning one of these beasts as it is still just a concept vehicle."[8]

"Ram should use this golden opportunity to put an insane, over-powered off-roading truck into production, because it will surely sell quickly, is relatively easy to build, and would be in a segment that only has one other competitor . . . It's time for Ram to build the TRX."[9]

"Back in the day, Dodge put a Viper engine in a Ram pickup truck . . . since those glory days, there hasn’t been a true high performance truck from the car company with horns. That needs to change, and now is the time."[10]

Production Rumors[]

In February 2018, Jared Belfour, citing unnamed sources, reported that two Ram Rebel models based on the Ram Rebel TRX concept will be produced. A base version featuring a new version of the naturally aspirated 426 cubic inch (7.0L) HEMI engine and the optional Supercharged 6.2L HEMI engine as well as a 2021 release date.[11]

Later that same year in April, also citing unnamed sources, 5thGenRams reported that the two engine options will be associated with different names where the "Ram Rebel TR" features the naturally aspirated 426 c.i.d HEMI engine and the "Ram Rebel TRX" features the supercharged 6.2L HEMI engine. Unlike the concept, the supercharged 6.2L HEMI will not be detuned to 575 horsepower, but is reported to put out the same 707 horsepower as the engines used in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats, Charger SRT Hellcats, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.[12]

However, the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye was announced in August that same year which featured essentially the same engine from the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon with variations on the air intake dropping the Redeye's horsepower rating to 797 from the Demon's 808 (also, the 2019 non-Redeye Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat features airflow improvements raising its horsepower rating to 717 over the prior year's 707).[13]

The "Hellephant" Mopar crate engine scheduled for 2019 release unveiled at the 2018 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association) Show, a 426 cubic inch (7.0L) supercharged 1,000 horsepower, 950 lb. ft. torque power plant[14] exceeds the characteristics of the Redeye engine, but is also not expected to be part of the production Ram Rebel TRX configuration (when asked, "members of the Mopar team" responded "absolutely not" regarding whether or not the Hellephant engine was being considered for any street applications, which would necessarily rule out inclusion of the production Ram rebel TRX).[15] As of 2021, the Ram TRX is available with a single engine option, the supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8.

Ram announced the TRX on August 17th 2020.[16] It will be powered by a supercharged Hellcat engine producing 702-hp and will debut as a 2021 model.[17]

In Media[]

The Forza Horizon 4 – Fortune Island expansion pack developed by Playground Games launched on Thursday, December 13th for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC (and is included for players who own the Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Edition, Ultimate Add-Ons Bundle, or Expansion Bundle), features the Ram Rebel TRX in concept configuration, including side exhaust, dual full sized truck bed spare tires and wheels, bed rails, hood scoop and vents, "Supercharged" badging, bead lock wheels, pistol grip transmission control, "TRX" labeled tool pouch, flat bottom red stripe steering wheel, auxiliary switches, rack lights, and more.[18]

References[]

  1. ^ Weiss, C.C. (October 4, 2016). "Ram kicks the dirt up with 575-hp Rebel TRX concept pickup". newatlas. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  2. ^ Priddle, Alisa (July 21, 2018). "BREAKING: Mike Manley Named New FCA CEO Amid Marchionne Health Crisis". motortrend. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  3. ^ Butler, Zach (June 1, 2018). "The Ram TRX Is a Go: FCA Confirms 575+ HP Ram and a New Mid-Size Truck Are Coming (News)". tfltruck. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  4. ^ FCA. "Ram Announces 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  5. ^ Miller, Robert Scott (August 15, 2018). "Inside Design: 2016 Ram Rebel TRX Concept: The Ultimate Performance Offroad Ram..." 5thgenrams.
  6. ^ Mcearchen, Sam (October 4, 2016). "The Ram Rebel TRX Concept Has 30 Coats Of Paint On It". fcauthority.
  7. ^ "2021 Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition is a $92,010 truck limited to 702 units". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  8. ^ Feigen, Martin (2016). "Ram Rebel TRX Stuns But Will They Build It". artofgears.
  9. ^ Patel, Joel (October 8, 2016). "A plea for Ram to build the Hellcat-powered Rebel TRX concept Is there anything better than a high-performance off-roader?". autoblog.
  10. ^ Kirchner, Chad (2017). "Now is the time to announce a production Ram Rebel TRX". futuremotoring.
  11. ^ Belfour, Jared (February 24, 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: Ram Rebel TRX will have a choice of 2 engine options! 5thGenRams has inside information about the engine lineup for the 2021 Ram Rebel TRX". 5thgenrams.
  12. ^ Belfour, Jared (April 5, 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: 7.0L V8 Rebel and 6.2 SC Rebel will have different names 5thGenRams learns a few more details on the upcoming Rebel variants". 5thgenrams.
  13. ^ Miller, Robert Scott (August 14, 2018). "Challenger SRT HELLCAT - More Tech, More Horsepower, Lower Price: The Original Top Cat Gets A Makeover For 2019..." moparinsiders.
  14. ^ Miller, Robert (October 30, 2018). "'Hellephant' in the Room: Mopar Stampedes Into SEMA With 1,000-Horsepower: Supercharged Mopar Crate Motor Makes 1,000-Horsepower..." moparinsiders.
  15. ^ Rall, Patrick (October 30, 2018). "426 Hellephant crate engine packs 1,000 horsepower". allpar.
  16. ^ "2021 Ram 1500 TRX first look: Ram's Hellcat-powered Ford Raptor fighter". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  17. ^ Hoffman, Connor (2020-06-25). "Hellcat-Powered 2021 Ram TRX Coming This Summer". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  18. ^ Miller, Robert (December 11, 2018). "UPDATED: Ram Rebel TRX Concept One Of The Stars Of New Forza Horizon 4 Expansion Bundle: HELLCAT-Powered Off-roader Will Make It Into The Forza Series..." moparinsiders.
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