FCA Confirms 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Debut for August 17th

by Matt Posky

August 12th, 2020 10:12 AM

fca confirms 2021 ram 1500 trx debut for august 17th

Ram has issued a succinct press release on the status of its answer to the Ford Raptor. The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is now officially set to debut next Monday, ready to dazzle you with the volume of dirt it can kick up when asked.

Sadly, that’s about all we can tell you. Despite the concept (pictured) coming equipped with a healthy 6.2-liter V8 belching out nearly 600 horsepower way back in 2016, everyone and their mother now claims the production TRX will come with a Hellcat motor to ensure Ford is shamed into submission. While that’s hardly the only metric one could use to measure the total value of an off-road pickup, most seem to think it’s a good place to start.

Considering Fiat Chrysler’s track record with vehicles, its unfathomable to think Ram would install anything that doesn’t at least match the output of Ford’s 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6. But that sets a benchmark of 450 hp and 510 lb-ft — something the brand could easily accomplish without having to roust the Hellcat.

However, FCA seems to be celebrating the end of an era and is trying to slot its mightiest motors into as many products as it can before emissions regulations catch up to it (or its new partner says to stop being so damn brash). Dodge is throwing the Hellcat into the Durango for one year onl y and continues pushing the envelope for what’s sane with the Charger and Challenger. A 700-horsepower pickup would hardly be surprising.

[Image: FCA]

#Fca #FiatChryslerAutomobiles #FutureModels #Off-roadTrucks #Pickups #ProductPlanning #Ram #Ram1500TRXDebut #Trucks

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9 of 12 comments

PrincipalDan on Aug 12, 2020

I really hope Stellantis doesn't slap a lid on the fun. It will show a fundamental misunderstanding of the American market. Kind of like in the 80s when an American working for Toyota asked the Japanese executives about a V8. He was told: "What do you need a V8 for when we can build a 6 that will make the same power?" Eventually and before the LS400 was built, they came around.

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- Zerofoo on Aug 12, 2020
  
  We did work for some local Toyota dealers around the time of the T100. Toyota reps went around asking dealers what they wanted in the new Tundra. Every single dealer said something along the lines of "if you aren't bringing it with a V8 don't bother bringing it at all." I guess Toyota paid attention to that feedback. Hopefully FCA/Stellantis doesn't forget the lesson. Sure - Ford was able to convince a bunch of people to buy an F-150 with an EcoBoost - but I'm not sure anyone else will be able to pull that off.
  
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- PrincipalDan on Aug 12, 2020
  
  @zerofoo In pickup trucks, by sales - Ford is the 800 lb gorilla in the room. They had a little more freedom to try something outside the box.
  
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- Jack4x on Aug 12, 2020
  
  @zerofoo Ironically Toyota appears poised to make the next generation Tundra V6 turbo + hybrid only. At this point I guess they figure they have nothing to lose.
  
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- Ajla on Aug 12, 2020
  
  "Kind of like in the 80s when an American working for Toyota asked the Japanese executives about a V8. He was told: 'What do you need a V8 for when we can build a 6 that will make the same power?' " That's an interesting response from Toyota considering that they gave the Century a comparatively lowish output V8 and V12. So they obviously understood there was some value or prestige in different engine configurations.
  
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- Highdesertcat on Aug 12, 2020
  
  @jack4x Such a shame. I love the 5.7-liter V8. Owned total of three of them since 2011. Such talk depresses me.
  
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- PrincipalDan on Aug 12, 2020
  
  @ajla It may be apocryphal but that's supposedly the reason that the T100 from 1993 to 1998 didn't have a V8 available.
  
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- Highdesertcat on Aug 12, 2020
  
  @ajla The Japanese are all about efficiency and effectiveness. But for many American males the automotive psyche is "the biggest, brawniest V8." Or better yet, the V12 Packard. My dad's hobby was dragracing and he and my uncle doted on a rail powered by a MOPAR 426 HEMI on Nitromethane. He told me when I was 12 years old, "There's nothing like an American V8." Times have changed because today I sure favor that magnificent Toyota Tundra all-aluminum 32-valve DOHC 5.7-liter (348 cubic inch) V8. The finest V8s I have ever owned in three vehicles - bar none.
  
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DenverMike on Aug 12, 2020

There's no real reason to be 15 years behind Ford or anything pickup related and BOF trucks. They're platforms licensed print money. If they're so worried about CAFE/CARB, why all the V8 cars, certified gas guzzlers and Devil cars? CAFE/CARB has been laughable for decades anyway. With big-ticket autos, you sprinkle some coins on them and go away. Yes like panhandlers.

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