Ram 1500 TRX: $200,000 performance truck arrives in Australia

The Ram 1500 TRX, the ultimate version of the renowned US truck series, has been priced from $199,950 by its official Australian distributor.

A circa-$200,000 price tag had been anticipated for what Ram labels the world’s fastest mass-produced truck, with a claimed 0-60mph (0-97km/h) time of 4.5 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 12.9 seconds, and a top speed of 190km/h.

Although some specialist Australian conversion companies have imported TRX models privately for sale, this marks its debut via Ram Trucks Australia - the importer backed officially by Ram US.

The TRX is being converted from left-hand to right-hand drive by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Melbourne, as with other Ram vehicles.

The DT-series TRX is powered by a supercharged version of its world-famous Hemi V8, borrowed from vehicles such as the Dodge Charger Hellcat and here producing 523kW and 882Nm.

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Those outputs are huge increases over the 291kW/556Nm offered by the regular 1500’s 5.7-litre normally-aspirated Hemi V8. They also dwarf those of the new Ford Ranger Raptor, though the 292kW/583kW 3.0L twin-turbo V6 Raptor is significantly cheaper at $85,490.

The rest of the drivetrain includes a TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic gearbox and a Borg Warner full-time active transfer case to distribute all that power between the axles.

The TRX features a large, 29-litre airbox that gulps more than 30 litres of air per minute. Fed by dual intakes – a bonnet scoop and through the upper grille including an enlarged Ram badge sharing the effort – the company says the airbox filters dirt, sand, debris and water to ensure performance isn’t hindered.

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As with the Ranger Raptor and F-150 Raptor, the Ram 1500 TRX has been engineered to be super-quick both on road and off.

The centrepiece of an all-new suspension is a set of big-piston, quick-response Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive dampers with electronically controlled valving and remote reservoirs.

Upper and lower control arms for the independent front suspension are constructed from forged aluminium, while at the rear there’s a TRX-exclusive multi-link set-up combining with a Dana M250 full-floating solid axle with 3.55:1 gears and an electronic locking differential.

Ram says the Dana axle allow for 330 millimetres of wheel travel – 40 per cent more than a regular 1500.

Each corner of the TRX is shod with exclusive 325/65/R19 all-terrain 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tyres.

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The front axle was moved forward 20mm to help accommodate the big wheels. Most of the TRX’s extra 203mm width over a regular 1500 is accounted for by its composite flared guards.

Ram's desert racer has been designed to cope with big jumps and large obstacles while delivering good on-road handling.

The TRX frame – 75 per cent new compared with other 1500 variants – is beefed up with thicker, high-strength steel for increased rigidity and durability.

There’s an extra 50mm of ground clearance – 295mm – compared with the rest of the 1500 range, and the TRX features no less than five skid plates to protect crucial components.

Maximum wading depth is 812mm.

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As with the Ranger Raptor, the Ram 1500 TRX features a Baja driving mode (among eight selections) to give it “ultimate desert performance”. The TRX’s driving modes allow the driver to adjust parameters including drivetrain response, stability control, all-wheel-drive system, and the adaptive dampers.

Jump Detection is an additional feature that Ram says can detect when the TRX is airborne and adjust damping rates, transfer case torque split, gear selection and other components to deliver an optimum landing.

For slower, trickier terrain, a 2.64:1 low range brings respectable crawling ability.

The TRX’s rear suspension design is said to offer better articulation than a leaf-spring arrangement without compromising carrying and towing capabilities.

The 1500 TRX has a braked towing capacity of 3500 kilograms and a maximum payload of 767kg.

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Inside, the TRX’s interior is based on the luxury-focused 1500 Limited, but with its own distinctive elements. The all-black interior mixes leather and suede, while also incorporating carbon fibre inserts in areas such as the dash.

An SRT steering wheel comes complete with long aluminium paddle-shift levers.

A dedicated console to the left of the steering wheel groups the driving mode selector, transfer case switches, and Launch Control button.

Leather and suede upholstery is applied to the front and rear seats that come with heating and ventilation functions.

The only option offered on the TRX is a $10,000 full-length panoramic roof.

The TRX’s 4.5-second 0-60mph time eclipses the circa-5.0-second claim of its 2004 predecessor, the Dodge Ram SRT-10. However, the two-door, rear-drive SRT-10, which was powered by a 8.3-litre V10 from the Dodge Viper and left-hand-drive only, had a higher top speed of 241km/h.

2022 RAM 1500 RANGE

1500 Express Quad Cab – $82,950 (4th-generation DS)

1500 Express Crew Cab – $95,950 (4th-generation DS)

1500 Express Crew Cab RamBox – $100,450 (4th-generation DS)

1500 Warlock Crew Cab – $106,950 (4th-generation DS)

1500 Warlock Crew Cab RamBox – $111,950 (4th-generation D

1500 Laramie Crew Cab – $123,900 (5th-generation DT)

1500 Laramie Crew Cab RamBox – $128,850 (5th-generation DT)

1500 Limited Crew Cab – $138,950 (5th-generation DT)

1500 Limited Crew Cab RamBox – $148,950 (5th-generation DT)

1500 TRX – $199,950 (5th-generation DT)

* Prices don't include on-road costs