BUCHANAN, MI – A new predator stalked the hills of southwest Michigan this summer: the 777-horsepower 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX high-performance pickup, a beast armed with suspension tuned for jumps, 3-5-second 0-60 mph time and more.
Ram’s new “apex predator” ruled in my test drive from the St. Joseph Valley’s woods and streams to the Red Bud MX motocross track, rumbling through sleepy villages and getting airborne on the renowned track, within sight of vineyards and hops fields.
Leading automakers are escalating the Truck Wars, $5-plus-per-gallon gasoline notwithstanding. In addition to the TRX “desert racer” off-roader, Ram is adding a line of “muscle trucks” tuned for on-road performance later this year.
The TRX is the first vehicle from the reconstituted SRT performance group and a gauntlet in the face of the previous desert-racing power meister, Ford’s 720-hp F-150 Raptor R pickup.
Every TRX comes with a roomy four-door crew cab, full-time four-wheel drive from a BorgWarner transfer case, electronic locking rear differential, eight-speed automatic transmission and supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 producing 777-hp and 680 pound-feet of torque. There are few options.
The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX is available now. Prices start at $99,995, plus $2,795 destination charge.
Ram builds the TRX in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Ram’s family of off-road pickups
Source: Ram, Edmunds
All prices exclude destination charge
There are four things to love about the TRX:
1. A whole new way to see the desert
The words “desert racer” may call to mind bone-jarring impacts and checking your boots for scorpions and getting your teeth rattled loose driving home. The reality of the TRX is quite another thing.
Yes, it soared off dirt ramps at the motorcross site, but safe landings demand shocks and suspension that cushion impact. The Ram’s electronically controlled Bilsteins and sophisticated chassis tuning do just that.
Combined with a five link coil rear suspension, the result is comfort and stability on roads ranging from narrow country lanes to a divided highway.
The brakes are powerful and easy to modulate.
The TRX’s nine drive modes delivered responsive steering on back roads, plenty of boost in parking lots and stability on divided highway.
The supercharged 6.2L roars to life, but isn’t obtrusive in normal driving, making it easy to appreciate the standard 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
Welcome interior features include a console-mounted shifter, 14.5-inch touch screen, heated and ventilated front and rear seats. The rear seats even recline, while the front seats also massage for those days you jump off one too many dunes. Appealing materials include a suede headliner, carbon fiber trim and red accent stitching on comfortable sport seats.
Ram developed the TRX in thousands of miles of driving on off-road race courses, deep sand and rugged desert.
2. Dramatic new special edition
The Bloodshot Night edition features a hand-painted Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat hood, pillars and roof; white sides; Flame Red hand-applied hood stripe; carbon fiber trim with red anodized thread; standard beadlock wheels; black and red splash graphics, and red interior detailing.
3. Creative design touches
The TRX is loaded with unique flourishes:
4. Performance upgrades
2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT at a glance
Four-wheel drive crew cab full-size pickup
Seats 4
On sale now
Base price: $99,995 All prices exclude $2,795 destination charge
Power: 777 hp at 6,500 rpm, 680 pound-feet of torque @ 4,500 rpm
Engine: Supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 118 mph
Wheelbase: 145.1 inches
Length: 233.7 inches
Width: 88 inches
Height: 81.9 inches
Box: 5 feet, 7 inches
Ground clearance: 9.4 inches
Approach/departure angles: 31/25.2 degrees
Breakover: 20.6 degrees
Curb weight: 6,750 pounds (estimated)
Payload: 1,220 pounds
Towing capacity: 8,100 pounds
Assembled in Sterling Heights, Michigan
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 4 things owners will love about the 777-hp 2027 Ram 1500 SRT TRX
Reporting by Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
