In 2021, something historic happened in the truck world. For the first time ever, a mass-produced production truck with over 700 horsepower hit the market. That truck is the new 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, and for those of you who want to own a super-powerful supercharged off-road truck, the Ram TRX is the one you should definitely check out. With twice the power of the legendary Ford Raptor, the TRX is now the undisputed champion of the performance truck world. Be sure to ask your local Ram TRX dealer about this bad boy.
The Powerful Ram TRX Engine
Ram didn’t want any of its customers to feel like the TRX lacked in anything, and so they have given us the most amazing engine to ever hit the pickup truck world. This engine is the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 known as the Hellcat, an engine more commonly found under top-of-the-line muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger. In the TRX, it has 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. All this power can get the TRX from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds. Naturally, this gives the 2021 Ram TRX the best in class horsepower as well as torque. With the V8 engine, you also get all the great growling sounds that you would expect from a hard-core truck.
The 2021 Ram TRX has a massive airbox with a high-performance induction system that can filter 32.9 liters of air per minute. This will keep the dust and dirt from being sucked into your engine and gunking it up. All real off-roaders know this if your engine can’t breathe, you will be stuck in the middle of nowhere, and so Ram goes to great lengths to keep the dust and dirt out.
If you are familiar with HEMI engines, you know that this 6.2L is quite legendary. It has a beastly cast-iron block and a forged-steel crankshaft with induction-hardened bearing surfaces that can withstand the firing pressure of 1,595 psi. The supercharger is just as capable as the rest of the engine and can spin at 14,600 rpm to generate boost pressures of up to 11.6 psi.
Keeping Track of Your TRX Performance
Ram made sure to include a whole suite of customizable performance features, including off-road pages in the TRX’s massive 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This will include Launch Control, which gives the truck the ability to pre-rev the engine before you have it take off and burn some rubber down the road. Another feature is the dashboard, which can tell you your horsepower readings, steering angle measurements, and even monitor and record your best launch times.
Additionally, if tracking your horsepower output is important to you, then the integrated dynamometer will record and allow you to compare one take-off time to another. Of course, you will also have a vehicle dynamics page to tell you things like wheel articulation, whether your transfer case is in 4L, and if your rear axle locker is currently locked. Anybody who likes to keep track of tiny details regarding their vehicle’s performance so that they can work to improve their driving will absolutely love the features of the Ram TRX.
Off-Roading in Your Ram TRX
The 2021 Ram TRX is not just a powerhouse under the hood: it is also a powerhouse when it comes to its ability to go over rough terrain. The TRX has 11.8 inches of ground clearance, 13 inches of front suspension travel, and 14 inches of rear suspension travel. These impressive numbers are made possible partially due to the all-new Bilstein BlackHawk shock system that the TRX is riding on. These shocks are only available on the Ram TRX.
The Blistein shocks start with a computer algorithm that monitors sensors and continuously adapts the shocks to the speed, throttle position, braking torque, steering angle, and other variables to give you the best control no matter what you’re rolling over. The shocks are adjustable due to the dual-valve technology, which couples with high-pressure stainless steel braided horses attaching each shock to a remote reservoir. This remote reservoir has a nitrogen gas charge that the shock uses to ensure your ride stays smooth. If you happen to hit something extra large and hard, it also has a zone control jounce cutoff. This is a secondary piston that engages and prevents the TRX from bottoming out.
The 2021 Ram TRX has a flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated aluminum shift paddles to make steering comfortable and easy. There are available carbon fiber and Alcantara suede accents available if you desire a more customized look to your TRX. Ram knows that it’s the little things that count.
TRX Driving Modes
The 2021 Ram TRX has six specialty modes outside of the normal setting. One of these modes is the Sport Mode, which will give you quicker shift times, tighter suspension, a 30/70 torque split, as well as sport-tuned stability control. This is going to give you the ultra-quick pavement-peeling power that the Hellcat engine has to offer.
The Custom mode is going to be just that – custom. This means you can pick your preferred steering feel and torque split, as well as suspension firmness. This mode will allow you to find that personal sweet spot that lets the TRX perform all your favorite tasks perfectly.
There is also a Snow Mode for those times when the weather is slicking up the roads. This changes the TRX to do an initial 45/55 torque split and helps you manage the engine horsepower. The Mud/Sand Mode is going to serve you well when you hit deep sand and mud holes with your 2021 Ram TRX. Again, it uses a 45/55 torque split and mitigates wheel slip through throttle management and torque distribution.
The TRX has a Rock Mode that allows you to overcome rocks and boulders with ease. This mode keeps your truck in an extra-low gear ratio and uses a 50/50 torque split, which gives you maximum traction. If you’re going downhill, you can also turn your Selec-Speed control on to hold a set-by-you speed down that hill for a nice and controlled descent.
The final special mode that comes with the 2021 TRX is the Baja Mode, which is similar to the Sport Mode, only for off-roading adventures. This is the dune running mode for your TRX, and it will do things like reducing shift times by 68%. It also sets the suspension to full damping in order to give you as much impact absorption as the truck can possibly take as you fly through the dunes.
Find Your 2021 Ram TRX at Your Local Ram TRX Dealer
There is no question that the 2021 Ram TRX is in a league all its own. This truck is quite literally changing the future, and off-roading will never again be the same. Every aspect of the TRX was built to perform, from its incredible engine to its sophisticated terrain modes. If you are in the mood for an adventure like no other, contact your local Ram TRX dealer to get more information on this absolutely amazing pickup truck. Once you slip behind the wheel of this beast, you will learn what true V8 power feels like.