Ram Is Bringing Back America’s Craziest Pickup Truck, And It’s Going To Have 777 Horsepower

I think the entire car world was sad to see the Ram 1500 TRX retired after 2024. The idea of a half-ton pickup powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 making over 700 horsepower seems like something a custom shop would have to build, rather than a full-on car manufacturer. Yet, it was a real, actual truck you could buy from a dealer with a warranty (and for under six figures!).

Under the last years of its previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, Ram and the rest of the Stellantis brands turned towards downsizing and electrification. Naturally, the EPA-estimated 12 mpg combined TRX was among the first victims of that initiative, having been replaced by the inline-six-powered 1500 RHO after the 2024 model year.

Now, after just two years, a new CEO for Stellantis, and some significant federal policy shifts, the TRX and its big, fat V8 are making a return for the 2027 model year, following the naturally aspirated Hemi V8 in the standard 1500 earlier this year. And to no one’s surprise, it’s quicker and more powerful than ever.

The Same, But Even More

The TRX’s comical formula is largely unchanged from that 2024 model-year truck. It’s still based on the 1500 Crew Cab, which means four doors and a full-size rear bench, for a total of five seats. The V8 displaces the same 6.2 liters, while the supercharger on top displaces the same 2.4 liters. But power is up over 10%, from 702 horsepower to 777 horsepower. Ram says the extra ponies are courtesy of “updated engine management and new hardware,” but doesn’t get any more specific in the press release.

The nudge in power, combined with the launch control system, is enough for a claimed 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, which is a full second quicker than the last TRX (and 1.1 seconds quicker than the RHO).

The rest of the drivetrain is pretty much unchanged from 2024, with an eight-speed torque converter automatic sending power to a BorgWarner transfer case that delivers full-time all-wheel drive. How much torque is distributed front to rear depends on the drive mode you’re in. In Auto mode, that ratio is 40:60. Switch to Wet/Snow or Tow, and the numbers shift to 45:55. Go into Baja mode, and the ratio becomes 25:75, which seems most ideal if you want to do endless donuts in a parking lot. Drop the transfer case into 4-Low, and the split goes to a pure 50:50.

As far as suspension and off-roading equipment goes, much of the gear is carried over from the RHO. The second-gen version of Bilstein’s Black Hawk e2 adaptive shocks is present and accounted for, allowing for the 11.8 inches of ground clearance. The 35-inch off-road tires help, too. Out back you’ll find Ram’s five-link coil system attached to a Dana 60 rear axle and a locking rear differential. In all, there’s 13 inches of suspension travel up front and 14 inches of travel in the rear (nearly as good as the Ford F-150 Raptor R, which manages 13 inches in the front and 14.1 inches in the rear).

It’s The Little Things

While the overall concept of the TRX has remained largely the same, there are still a few notable differences that’ll be easy to spot at a glance. The most important is the return of the legendary SRT badge. SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology, the recently revived subdivision within Stellantis that was responsible for your favorite Dodges of the ’90s and 2000s, including the original Viper.

The last (and only) time a Ram pickup truck wore an SRT badge was the Ram SRT-10, a 1500 pickup that used the 8.3-liter V10 from the Viper. That truck went out of production in 2006, which means the 1500 SRT TRX (yes, that’s the truck’s full name) will be breaking a 20-year drought.

While I deeply respect the iconic status of the SRT sub-brand, the name “1500 SRT TRX” feels pretty clumsy to me. I always prefer real names over numbers and acronyms, and this has the latter two bunched into one. SRT TRX feels like the type of license plate a TRX owner would get if all of the good, shorter custom plates were already taken. At the same time, I know Stellantis wants to push this SRT relaunch, and using the TRX as its starting point is a strong move.

There are a few other badging changes. The most obvious is the bright red-outline “RAM” badge in the front grille, which feels very love-it or hate-it (I kinda love it). Then there’s the mascot badge on the tailgate next to the TRX badge, which is the shape of a Tyrannosaurus’s head (get it, T-Rex?) I kinda love this badge, too.

If Cool Badges Just Aren’t Flashy Enough For You

Those who want to make sure they stand out amongst a crowd of TRXs will be happy to learn of a new package for the TRX called the Bloodshot Night Edition. It looks as ridiculous as it sounds (and it sounds pretty ridiculous):

Customers can choose to equip their TRX as a Bloodshot Night Edition that celebrates the return of the apex pickup. Equipment includes a first-ever two-tone design for TRX, featuring a painted Blacktop upper and a bold, painted Flame Red center hood stripe. Additional exterior elements include distinctive splash body graphics and beadlock-capable wheels. Inside, red-accented carbon fiber interior trim, a glass encased center console badge and red-outline TRX badging finish off the aggressive look.

The 2027 TRX will begin deliveries this year, but unlike the previous version, it won’t be a sub-six-figure super truck. The 2024 1500 TRX started at $98,335, including destination. This new SRT model, meanwhile, comes in at $102,590. That’s not a huge jump when you factor in inflation, the extra power, and the extra standard tech, like standard level-two hands-free driving assist. I have no doubt Ram will have no trouble selling every single example it builds.

Top graphic image: Ram