Going head-to-head with the F-150 Raptor, the RAM 1500 TRX is now officially on the table for Australia, according to the local importer.
A dedicated page calling for expressions of interest in the RAM 1500 TRX has appeared on the RAM Australia website, saying: “As the only Fiat Chrysler Automobiles authorised importer and remanufacturer of right-hand drive RAM Trucks in Australia we’re working closely with our colleagues in the US to bring the TRX to Australia in 2021. Express your interest now so we can keep you in the loop when more information becomes available. Exciting times!”
It’s believed that two test vehicles arrived in Australia earlier this year for validation and engineering work, with the call for expressions of interest the next stage in the program.
The 1500 TRX is ridiculous and in the US goes head-to-head with the updated F-150 Raptor. It runs a Hellcat-borrowed 6.2L V8 making 523kW and 880Nm of torque and will get to 100km/h in less than five seconds.
The 1500 TRX is eight inches wider (in the body) than a regular Ram 1500 and six inches wider in the track. The wheels themselves are wider too, up from eight inches wide to nine inches and the front axle needed to be moved 20mm further forward to fit them in; stretched fender wells and composite flares cover the wider 18-inch beadlock ready wheels and 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain tyres.
There’s a performance oriented interior with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, of course, paddles shifters and more. Like the Raptor(s), the Drive Mode selector includes: Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-road and Baja.
And, also like the Raptors, the 1500 TRX gets a thicker chassis with sections of the frame hydroformed for increased strength and accuracy, and the side rails are fully boxed. The front rails use high-strength steel and hydroformed sections to better handle the front suspension load. Five skid plates have been fitted underneath to protect vital components from being bashed off-road.
The 1500 TRX runs a different front suspension system with active dampers (Bilstein Black Hawk e2) while, out the back, five-link coil system (also featuring active dampers) was chosen because of its ride and durability. The frame’s hard points for the five-link suspension system differ when compared to a standard-issue Ram 1500 and allow the Dana 60 rear axle to travel up to 330mm. Overall, rear-wheel travel is increased to more than 330mm from the standard 228mm.
The Ram TRX boasts a claimed ground clearance of 300mm due in part to a 50mm ride height increase, along with 35-inch tyres. Water fording is 800mm. The Ram TRX is equipped with a new BorgWarner 48-13 full-time active transfer case. Ram TRX features a low range of 2.64:1 for rock crawling and can be flat-towed while in neutral.
This is an epic machine, there’s no doubt, but bringing it to Australia won’t be cheap at all, and while no pricing has been hinted at, you’d be looking at well over $200k. Stay tuned for more information.
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