I'm still betting on a ~$60k TRX without the hellcat engine (think scatpack). It will complete against the base model Raptor that starts at $55k. Then you will the "TRX Supercharged" at ~$75k that would go against a fully loaded Raptor.
The TRX is full-time AWD so I'm also curious if the TRX will have a gear driven transfer case or a clutch based one. I've already found the limit of the clutch based TC on my Laramie while off-roading. I'm holding off on upgrading to the Power Wagon to see the full TRX specs.
As for the transmission discussion:
The outsourced ZF8 trans in our trucks can easily be made to handle the extra TQ and weight of the 6.4. I haven't looked, but I'm sure they already use it in the 800hp hellcat variants. It's probably the most used trans in the world right now. They do minor hardware and software changes to them depending on the application. In my last car I increased the TQ to +30% over stock and the zf8 handled it fine. Beat the crap out of it on the track too.
That makes sense, the talk is a 5.2L Coyote supercharged making over 700 hp in the new Raptor, though they may not get rid of the 3.5L Ecoboost with 450 hp. Maybe they will also do a base with 3.5L and V8 supercharged top model. If so, the non-HC engine would make sense. A 6.4 SRT in the 480 range would fit in nicely.
As for the transfer case, Ford's 4 auto setting, it uses wet multi-plate clutch, probably at a lot higher spec that what's on your Laramie. I think RAM will likely follow the Raptor route here.
Agreed on the tranny, I personally think they will go with the 8HP95 2nd gen as the likely transmission.
