Home / Motoring / SUVs & Trucks

The World’s Most Powerful Production Pickup Makes the Grandest of Returns

And as promised, there’s even more power.

Red and black RAM truck kicking up sand while driving off-road on a sandy terrain.Ram
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google
A black and white portrait of a smiling man with short, dark hair. He is wearing a light-colored blazer over a collared shirt. The background is plain and unobtrusive.

By Chris Chin

Published

·

Updated

It’s official, the Ram 1500 TRX is back. After what is likely one of the most tumultuous automotive turnarounds as of late, Stellantis’ SRT division revived a beloved high-performance model.

And it returns with a vengeance. Or, more power, to be exact. But more power isn’t the only part of the equation.

For the first time, the Ram 1500 TRX’s revival comes thanks to Mopar’s performance division, SRT, which recently underwent a rebrand and relaunch.

As a result, the latest TRX is now called the Ram 1500 SRT TRX, making it the first SRT-modified production Ram-based pickup truck in over two decades.

Back from the dead

Two Ram pickup trucks, one red and black and one green and black, parked on sandy desert terrain with mountains in the background.
After a brief hiatus, the most powerful production pickup is back.
Ram

It was just a couple of years ago when the Ram 1500 TRX originally left the market. Ram discontinued the model in 2024 after Stellantis cancelled the HEMI V8’s production.

With no production V8 available, the Ram 1500 TRX was essentially without a future.

Green RAM TRX pickup truck kicking up dust while driving off-road on a dirt trail under clear blue sky.
Now with an extra 72 horses and 30 pound-feet of torque, the Ram 1500 SRT TRX is even faster than the old one.
Ram

The controversial decision happened under the reign of former CEO, Carlos Tavares. However, after tons of backlash, which forced Stellantis to unseat Tavares, the company worked overtime to resuscitate the HEMI.

And the TRX’s return is a result of those efforts.

Close-up of a black car hood with a red and silver "6.2L SUPERCHARGED" emblem.
The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI returns, with a few tweaks.
Ram

Speaking of which, the Ram 1500 SRT TRX now boasts a whopping 777 horsepower and 680 pound-feet of torque. That’s quite a bit more than the previous model’s 702 horses and 650 torques.

The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI remains largely the same, aside from a few tweaks.

Engine compartment of a vehicle with a large black plastic engine cover labeled "TRX" and visible battery and fluid reservoirs.
It’s all about the smiles per gallon.
Ram

But even with the TRX’s leviathan weight, the extra 57 horses and 30 torques knock a whole second off its 0-60 mph time. It now slays the acceleration sprint in 3.5 seconds versus 4.5. Top speed is still limited to 118 mph, but top-end sprinting isn’t really what the TRX is all about.

An impromptu refresh

Red and black Ram TRX pickup truck kicking up sand while driving uphill on a sandy terrain.
The Ram 1500 SRT TRX gets new suspension upgrades too.
Ram

Given the fact that it’s been a couple of years since the last TRX, Ram and SRT couldn’t just revive the old model without making a few improvements. As such, the new TRX benefits from updates both inside and out.

Silver RAM Active Terrain Dynamics shock absorber with Bilstein branding near a black off-road tire.
Second-generation Bilstein Black Hawk e2 dampers improve the new TRX’s handling and capabilities.
Ram

It may look familiar. But underneath, the new TRX now gets upgraded second-generation Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive heavy-duty dampers. SRT also revised the truck’s Active Terrain Dynamics system.

Red and black RAM pickup truck kicking up sand while driving on a desert terrain under a clear blue sky.
A new Bloodshot Night Edition helps commemorate the TRX’s return.
Ram

And those new dampers? Well, they also enable up to 14 inches of maximum suspension travel all around. Previously, the front-end was limited to 13 inches with the rear being capable of 14.

Interior of a black and red-trimmed Ram TRX truck showing a digital dashboard, large touchscreen, and steering wheel with Ram logo.
The TRX now comes with Mopar’s latest 14.5-inch center Uconnect-based touchscreen.
Ram

A new Bloodshot Night Edition, which features a long list of bespoke appointments, also provides buyers an opportunity to essentially opt for a “relaunch” edition.

Green RAM TRX pickup truck kicking up sand while driving on a sandy terrain under a clear blue sky.
The new Ram TRX sprints to 60 mph a whole second faster than the old model.
Ram

As one would expect from the most powerful, fastest and most capable Ram to roam the land, it isn’t cheap. Pricing starts at $99,995 without the mandatory $2,595 shipping and handling fee.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google