If you have been waiting for some new vehicles for sale, then we are happy to let you know that the 2021 Ram TRX is officially on its way! Designed to compete directly against the Ford F-150 Raptor, the new Ram TRX is a force to be reckoned with. In fact, the name isn’t pronounced “T-R-X.” It’s actually pronounced like “T-Rex.” That’s right. This Hellcat-powered pickup truck is a modern-day dinosaur that eats everything else in its path. Here’s what we know about the new Ram TRX.
Performance
As an off-road-oriented pickup truck, the 2021 Ram TRX is powered by a supercharged V8 Hellcat engine. This beast of a motor pumps out a staggering 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, leaving other competitors back in the Jurassic era. In track tests, this powertrain was able to accelerate from zero to mph in only 4.5 seconds. That’s unheard of for a pickup truck! Accelerating from zero to 100 mph only took 10.5 seconds, the TRX smoked a quarter-mile run in just 12.9 seconds. It even has a top speed of 118 mph.
Equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 2-speed transfer case, this smooth-shifting truck delivers quite an astonishing performance on the streets and off. It uses Dana 60 axles at the back of the vehicle, and it has an electronic locking differential for optimized off-roading. The axle-hop damper helps to enhance the traction, and the rear springs are 23.6-inches tall (the tallest ever equipped on any truck). If that wasn’t enough to convince you of this model’s abilities, it also comes with nitrogen-charged Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive dampers for optimized ride control.
For even better off-loading and water fording, the TRX features an innovative dual-path induction system located under the hood. The large hood scoop and upper portion of the grille both pull in air from the outside. The air then goes through a 29-liter airbox that filters out any dirt or water before the air reaches the filters. Heavy-duty filters have been installed to keep out dust, dirt, and other contaminants. Furthermore, the intake inlets have been positioned higher up on the body of the vehicle to ensure a water fording capacity of up to 32-inches.
Other performance enhancements included on the 2021 Ram TRX are a high-mounted alternator and a new oil pan. These were designed to provide a more reliable oil flow during off-roading. New exhaust tips with restyled manifolds are included as well, along with a 4WD drivetrain. If you want to go rock crawling, then you can engage the low range 2.64:1 ratio. The Ram TRX even excels when it comes to less adventurous work, thanks to its 8,100-pound towing capacity and 1,310-pound payload limit.
Frame and Suspension
If you thought the 2021 Ram TRX has the same frame as the average Ram 1500 truck, think again! The new TRX frame is 75% different from the frame on the Ram 1500. First, it is made of high-strength steel for optimized durability and stability. Second, a few sections of the frame are hydroformed, and the side rails are fully boxed. What this does is allow the truck to withstand jumping and other high-impact actions.
Moving on to the suspension, we do see some similarities between the TRX and the original Ram 1500 models here. Both vehicles use a 5-link coil rear suspension, but in the TRX this suspension system has been modified to accommodate the Dana 60 rear axle. Meanwhile, the independent front suspension for the TRX has been redesigned with forged aluminum lower control arms and front upper arms.
The tires on the new 2021 Ram TRX have been specially made by Goodyear to cater to the truck’s off-road design. Rolling on 35-inch all-terrain tires, the truck has excellent ground clearance at 11.8-inches. As for angles, the departure angle is 23.5°, the break-over angle is 21.9°, and the approach angle is 30.2°.
Exterior Style
As an entirely new model, the 2021 Ram TRX is 8-inches wider than the typically Ram 1500. This is mainly due to the composite fender flares that add 6-inches to the track. The larger wheels also play a small role in the size increase. Meanwhile, the aforementioned hood scoop and restyled black grille serve a cosmetic purpose as well as a practical one. While they do help intake more air, they are also just plain looks cool.
LED marker lights further accentuate the hood design, and functional air curtains have been built into the headlights for cooling purposes. You will also find more LED marker lights on the rear of the vehicle along with the RAM logo and TRX badge. Also included on the outside of the vehicle are protective skid plates and four tow hooks. You can even opt for full-length rock rails if you plan on traveling over jagged terrain. Simply put, this beast was built for the outdoors.
Interior Styling
The new 2021 Ram TRX is available in four different trim levels. First is the Base model, which is quite similar to the Ram 1500 Rebel. It comes with cloth/vinyl combination upholstery that features black and red accents for a bold, contrasting interior look. The mid-level TR1 and the premium TR2 trims both feature high-class interiors that are similar to the Ram 1500 Limited. Premium leather upholstery with suede inserts cover the cabin, and carbon fiber accents decorate the dash. Finally, there is the maxed-out Launch Edition – but only 702 of this trim will be built, so act fast if you want one.
If you compare the TRX to the Ram 1500 models, you will notice that the gear shifter has been moved to the console, and the twist dial on the dashboard has been removed. This is for performance purposes. Also, the flat-bottom steering wheel features paddle shifters for a race car vibe. Furthermore, there are selectable driving modes that you can choose according to the road conditions. You may select Normal, Custom, Tow, Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, Rock, and Baja (which is best for sand).
Also included in the TRX models is a head-up display. This projects vital vehicle information onto the windshield so that you never have to take your eyes off the road. The infotainment interface and rearview camera video feed are both displayed on a 12-inch touchscreen that also features Off-Road Pages and Performance Pages. Finally, to top things off, a trailer backup assist feature has been added to the list of cool tech features. To choose the direction you want to truck to go, you simply turn the dial located in the center stack.
How Much Is It?
With all of these new features, you’re probably wondering how much a new 2021 Ram TRX will cost. As with any vehicle, the price will depend on the trim, but the base model starts at $70,095. And even the top Launch Edition with all the options will have a sticker price in the $92,000 range. While the 2021 Ram TRX has not made it to the dealership lots yet, this powerful truck is sure to be popular. If you want one, then now is the time to get in touch with your local Ram dealer.
