While various import/export companies have been selling the Ram 1500 TRX throughout the world, Ram Truck’s Australia the official importer of Ram pickups to Australia and New Zealand has officially brought the premium off-roader to that part of the world with specific manufacturing requirements for right-hand-drive (RHD) conversion to Stellantis’ approval.
Built off of America’s most-awarded light-duty pickup (the Ram DT platform), the Ram 1500 TRX is designed to rule the road and dominate the desert. For the few that will be able to get behind the wheel of the TRX in the “land down under”, they’ll be stepping into segment-disrupting style, luxury, capability, technology – and performance that other trucks can only dream of.
As the halo vehicle for the Ram Truck brand, the TRX is designed to outperform the competition with its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® HELLCAT V8. The HELLCAT V8 has been tuned to 702 horsepower (523 kW) and 650 lb.-ft. (882 Nm) of torque and with launch control, can propel the TRX to 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 4.5-seconds. The HELLCAT V8 is mated to an 8HP95 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which features adaptive electronic control with full manual control via console-mounted gear shifter or paddle shifters with 6 TRX-unique selectable modes (Sport, Snow, Tow, Mud, Baja, & Auto) and offers performance shifting and gear holding features.
When it comes to four-wheel-drive (4×4), the TRX uses a full-time Borg Warner-built BW 48-13 transfer case. The electronic transfer case offers a two-speeds and a low range ratio of just 2.64. In the various selectable modes, the BW 48-13 transfer case offers the ability to adjust power to each axle (40/60 Auto, 45/55 Snow, 45/55 Tow, 30/70 Sport, 25/75 Baja, 45/55 Mud/Sand, and 50/50 Rock (in 4L).
With a Dana 60 rear axle that offers open, limited-slip, or electronic locking differential the Ram TRX offers a 3.55 rear gear ratio.
When it comes to suspension, TRX’s front suspension is made up of upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, and Bilstein® Blackhawk® e2 active performance shock absorbers. Out back there is a five-link with track bar, coil springs, and Bilstein Blackhawk e2 active damping twin-tube performance shock absorbers. Overall, rear-wheel travel is increased to more than 330mm (13-inches) from the standard 228mm (9-inches), or more than 40% when compared to the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup.
The robust coil springs are more than up to the task of handling a maximum payload of 767kg (1,691 lbs) and 3.5-tons (7,000 lbs) of max towing.
“The TRX sets new benchmarks for extreme performance trucks and confirms the Australian market as a true success story for Ram Trucks,” said Neville Crichton CNZM, Executive Chairman of the Ateco Group, owners of Ram Trucks Australia. “From nothing seven years ago to more than 13,000 happy owners now and the largest, most diverse full-size pickup truck range on offer, what Ram Trucks Australia has achieved is impressive.”
The TRX combines all-new features, technology, and authentic premium materials with extreme performance, class-leading quality, comfort, and durability. The interior design team chose premium textures, colors, and materials, including available hand-wrapped leather instrument panels for unexpected luxury throughout.
The high-performance off-roader features premium wrapped leather, suede, and carbon fiber accents. The TR2 Equipment Group provides an interior based on the luxurious Ram 1500 Limited and features an all-black color scheme with leather and suede to give TRX a unique feel. Heated and ventilated premium Natura Plus leather and suede accents cover the front bucket and rear bench seats. The TR2 Equipment Group comes standard with medium Greystone stitching, Graphite Metallic accents, and carbon fiber accents.
The truck also features new front seats with enhanced upper bolster support and embroidered logos. The TR2 Equipment Group features a Modular Lightweight Load-bearing Equipment / Pouch Attachment Ladder System (MOLLE/PALS) on the seatback that enables bags and other equipment to be weaved in place. A new SRT®-signature flat-bottom steering wheel, with enhanced hand grips wrapped in leather with optional suede and carbon fiber accents, enables performance driving. Aluminum paddle shifters stretch above and below the steering wheel spokes, allowing the driver to choose the proper gear with their fingertips.
A console-mounted performance floor shifter, which includes a cast metal main grip wrapped with semi-perforated leather, lends itself to the spirited performance driving that TRX was bred for.
Turning the TRX into an RHD machine requires some 600 new parts, all locally sourced in Australia.
Only available with the TR2 Equipment Group, the Ram 1500 TRX for the Australian market starts at a hefty $199,950 AUD (or about $135,270 USD). There are only two options available, color choice and an optional $10,000 AUD (or $6,765 USD) for the panoramic sunroof. Color choices are Granite Crystal, Diamond Black, Hydro Blue, Flame Red, or Bright White.
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