‘Powerful’ ute ready to rumble
A ute labelled by its manufacturer as the “fastest, most powerful mass-produced truck in the world” has officially arrived Down Under.
The RAM TRX is now available across the ditch and Neville Crichton, chairman of Ateco Group, which owns RAM Trucks Australia, says it sets new benchmarks for “extreme performance trucks”.
Crichton says the Australian market has been a success story for RAM Trucks with more than 13,000 units sold since it arrived in the country seven years ago.
“When we first started this brand in Australia people said it couldn’t be done,” adds national manager Jeff Barber.
“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 which have successfully built-up strong demand for full-size pick-up trucks in Australia and New Zealand.”
RAM Trucks Australia is the world’s only RAM-authorised manufacturer of its right-hand drive utes, which are international-spec vehicles, coded for the Australian market and the local build process.
The RAM TRX is priced from $199,950 RRP – with the only option being a full-length sunroof, at an additional $10,000 RRP.
RAM TRX highlights include a 6.2-litre supercharged HEMI V8 engine that produces 523kW at 6,100rpm, 882NM at 4,200rpm, had a maximum speed of 190kph and can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds.
Its extensive high-strength steel increases low-torsion attributes to amplify durability and stability.
A high-torque-capacity TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission delivers crisp gear changes during normal and performance driving conditions.
The new dual-path air induction system delivers clean air to the engine through the front grille and functional hood scoop, while the largest air filter in the segment uses dual filter elements and is designed for extreme, dusty environments with four times the dust trapping capacity of its closest competitor, RAM Trucks says.
The full-time active transfer case features upgraded internals for improved strength, durability.
New, suspension system with active damping, inspired by desert off-road racers, incorporates forged aluminium front upper and lower control arms with special attention to caster and camber angles during suspension cycling;
It has a new independent front suspension system with active damping using high-strength aluminium to maintain overall strength and durability;
TRX uses a Dana 60 solid rear axle with a 3.55 ratio featuring full-floating hubs and axle-hop damper for improved traction and axle control on rough surfaces. An electronic locking rear differential is standard for increased performance off-road.
Designed exclusively for the TRX are new front and rear 2.6-inch Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks which provide fast reaction time, damping and improved heat dissipation for traversing harsh terrain at high speeds.
Its five-link coil suspension is tuned to deliver the best combination of ride, handling and comfort no matter the road surface, while the hood scoop is also responsible for 50 per cent of air entering the engine while the other 50 per cent enters through the grille.
The spacious interior offers premium materials, colours and textures, including hand-wrapped leather instrument panels for luxury throughout. There is a new flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminium paddle shifters that stretch above and below the steering wheel spokes.
The centre console is reimaged with maximum storage and includes a new performance-oriented floor shifter, wireless charging dock and five USBs, including type A and C ports.
RAM TRX-specific transfer case switches are integrated into the dashboard along with drive mode selector and launch control.
Uconnect 5C NAV, with a class-exclusive portrait 12-inch reconfigurable touchscreen, is standard and has a 900-watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
The new Baja drive mode calibrates four-wheel-drive and steering systems, stability control, paddle shifters and suspension for ultimate desert performance, delivering maximum capability on undulating, loose surfaces.
Safety and security features include parkview rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and six air bags, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, ready alert braking and full-speed forward collision warning-plus, available.
It’s fitted with Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain 35-inch tires.
