The world’s most powerful production pickup truck is now on sale in Australia. And it’s available in right-hand drive.
Described as the ‘apex predator of the truck world’, the Ram 1500 TRX is designed to offer huge performance both on and off the road.
Launching the 1500 TRX Down Under marks the culmination of a seven-year project. This has seen 13,000 Ram trucks remanufactured in right-hand drive for Australian customers.
Muscled-up pickup truck
Powering the TRX is a 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8, as found in the tyre-shredding Dodge Hellcat muscle car range. It generates a huge 702hp and 651lb ft of torque, pushing this truck into supercar territory.
Even in a vehicle as large and heavy as the Ram 1500, this results in a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds. Top speed is, perhaps sensibly, limited to 118mph.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, along with all-wheel drive that incorporates launch control. The TRX is also equipped with ‘Jump Detection’, which realises when the pickup is in the air. It then modifies engine torque and suspension settings for an optimal landing.
Bilstein Blackhawk e2 adaptive suspension dampers help create the 295mm ground clearance, as do huge 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory All-Terrain tyres.
Wanted Down Under
Each TRX comes fitted with leather sports seats, a 12-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital dashboard. Special displays can show off-road mode data, along with recording 0-62mph runs and G-force levels.
Turning the TRX into a right-hand-drive machine requires some 600 new parts, all locally sourced in Australia.
“When we first started this brand in Australia, people said it couldn’t be done,” said Jeff Barber, national manager of Ram Trucks Australia.
“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 that have successfully built-up strong demand for full-size pick-up trucks in Australia and New Zealand.”
Australian apex predator
Opting for such a hugely powerful pickup, with an official conversion to right-hand drive, does not come cheap.
Prices for the Ram 1500 TRX start at $199,950 (£113,000), with the only option being a panoramic sunroof for $10,000 (£5,600).
We suspect the Outback and sand dunes of Australia will make the perfect playground for such a capable performance truck.
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