RAM Trucks has announced the arrival in Australia of what it is describing as the ‘apex predator’ of pick-up trucks bringing the new flagship to market with a price just a breath under the $200,000 mark.
The TRX is the most extreme version of the popular RAM 1500 platform powered by Chrysler’s legendary 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi producing 523kW of power and maximum torque of ; 882NM. That ernables the TRX to gallop from 0 to 00 km/h in just 4.5 seconds and gives the big pick up a maximum speed of 190km/h.
Neville Crichton, the chair of Ateco, the owner of RAM Trucks Australia said the new TRX sets new benchmarks for extreme performance trucks and confirms the Australian market as a true success story for RAM Trucks.
“From nothing seven years ago to more than 13,000 happy owners now and the largest, most diverse full-size pick-up truck range on offer, what RAM Trucks Australia has achieved is impressive,” said Crichton.
Ram Trucks Australia is the only Ram-authorised manufacturer of right-hand drive versions of Ram trucks, with the relationship commencing back in 2013. It continues to produce right hand drive versions at its plant in Melbourne, where it converts the left hand drive international-spec Ram models from the USA The trucks come of the line in the USA and are shipped to Australia as uniquely coded for the Australian market and the local build process.
The 6.2 litre supercharged Hemi is mated to a high-torque-capacity of the 8HP95 eight-speed automatic and Ram says this ‘delivers quick, crisp gear changes during both normal and performance driving conditions’.
Keeping all that power in a pick up like the Ram TRX is a totally revised ride and handling package including, a new, suspension system with active damping, with forged aluminium front upper and lower control arms, and special attention on caster and camber angles during suspension cycling
The TRX uses a Dana 60 solid rear axle with a 3.55 final drive ratio, and featuring full-floating hubs with an axle-hop damper for improved traction and axle control on rough surfaces. There is also an electronic locking rear differential is standard for increased performance off-road
It also is fitted with, new front and rear 2.6-inch Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks, which Ram claims provide fast reaction time, better damping and improved heat dissipation in harsh terrain at high speeds
Ram says the five-link coil suspension is tuned to deliver the best combination of ride, handling and comfort no matter the road surface
Under the bonnet the TRX gets a new dual-path air induction system which Ram says delivers maximum output and feeds a steady supply of cool air to the engine through the front grille and functional hood scoop. To filter that air Ram says the TRX uses the largest air filter in the segment with dual filter elements designed for extreme, dusty environments claiming it has four times the dust trapping capacity of its closest competitor.
Ram says that the ‘functional’ hood scoop is responsible for 50 per cent of air entering the 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi while the other 50 percent enters through the grille
The TRX has a full-time active transfer case with upgraded internals for improved strength, durability, while the truck’s body uses new integrated composite fender flares with steel box outers, which add body width and create a striking “hourglass” body, according to RAM
Given that it is a half-size bigger than the big selling one tonne pickups like the HiLux, Ranger and Triton, it is not surprising that Ram claims the TRX (and for that matter its other 1500 models as well) has the most spacious interior in the segment. The TRX interior also features new premium materials, colours and textures, including hand-wrapped leather instrument panels,
There is a new flat-bottom steering wheel, probably a concession to the many girth challenged buyers in the Ram’s home territory in the USA, although we can’t really throw stones in Australia in that regard these days. The new TRX steering wheel offers enhanced tactility and new aluminium paddle shifters above and below the steering wheel spokes
The centre console has been redesigned with more storage and incorporating a new gear shifter as well as a wireless charging dock and five USBs, with both Type A and C ports. Transfer case switches are now integrated into the dashboard along with Drive Mode selector and Launch Control
RAM has equipped the TRX with its latest Uconnect 5C NAV displayed on the 12-inch touchscreen with an audio system mated to a 900-watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
The TRX is also equipped with numerous active and passive safety and security features, including a rear backing camera, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and six air bags, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Ready Alert Braking and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, available
The headlining Ram is shod with Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain 35-inch tires, which it says have been developed exclusively for the TRX.
None of this comes cheap with TRX arriving with a hefty price tag of $199,950 RRP, the only option available will be a full-length panoramic sunroof, at an additional $10,000 RRP
“When we first started this brand in Australia people said it couldn’t be done,” said RAM Trucks Australia’s national manager, Jeff Barber.
“Our robust planning, development, remanufacturing, and testing programme in conjunction with our local and global partners at Stellantis’ RAM Trucks International has produced a range of vehicles which have successfully built-up strong demand for full-size pick-up trucks in Australia and New Zealand,” Barber said.
The RAM range in Australia starts with the 1500 Express Crew and Warlock models in the original DS variant, as well as the 1500 Laramie and 1500 Limited in the recently launched DT model range, and the Heavy Duty 2500 Laramie and Heavy Duty 3500 Laramie.
Even with an astronomical price for a ‘big ute’ theTRX is sure to find a market Down Under and T&B News is keen to sample the super truck.
