Ram 1500 TRX, world’s most powerful V8 pick-up, to switch six-cylinder

Hold on to your V8s a little closer tonight. One of the automotive world’s most iconic V8s is heading for the end of the production line.

The Ram 1500 TRX – the world’s most powerful V8 pick-up – will be replaced next year by a twin-turbo six-cylinder model as another nail is hammered into the V8 coffin globally.

Spy photos – and video – out of the US show an updated version of the Ram 1500 TRX undergoing testing.

While camouflage aims to disguise some of the styling updates with the facelited model due next year, audio in at least one video clip reveals the distinctive whir of a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine – rather than the whine and rumble of the supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8.

Ram Trucks USA has still not yet confirmed the end of the road for the current Ram 1500 TRX – or plans for a six-cylinder replacement – but the company has already provided a rather large clue by releasing details of the “Final Edition” of the current V8 model.

Ram Trucks USA has previously said in a media statement: “This current chapter in Ram’s high-performance trucks is coming to a close, but it’s not the end of the TRX’s story.  While we’ll have more new to come at a later date, we’re proud to offer our loyal performance enthusiasts the very special TRX 6.2L Supercharged V8—Final Edition.”

It is now becoming increasingly evident this is management-speak for the end of the V8, with a six-cylinder around the corner.

Industry sales data shows approximately 200 examples of the Ram 1500 TRX have been sold locally by Ram Trucks Australia – the official factory-backed distributor for Ram here and in New Zealand, and which remanufactures the vehicles from left- to right-hand-drive in the former Holden Special Vehicles factory in Melbourne.

However, dealer sources have told Drive approximately 400 more examples of the Ram 1500 TRX are on the way, including about 100 “Final Edition” models which are due to go into production in the US next year, pending final negotiations with the factory.

Ram Trucks Australia declined to comment on any future model plans but says more information will be forthcoming next year.

While the capacity and power outputs for the twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder destined for the Ram 1500 TRX (and other Dodge performance vehicles) are yet to confirmed, there is widespread speculation in the US the “Hurricane” in-line six-cylinder will have a 3.0-litre capacity and outputs up to or in excess of 550 horsepower and 500 ft-lb of torque (410kW and 678Nm), backed by a mild-hybrid system.

This compares to the 523kW/882Nm outputs of the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in today’s Ram 1500 TRX (which testing by Drive has shown can deliver the 0 to 100km/h sprint in a repeatable 4.5 seconds, almost as quick as a Porsche 911 sports car).

While Ram Trucks USA insiders promise there won’t be a step backwards in performance, there’s no doubt it won’t sound as good as the supercharged V8.

Next year’s impending demise of the Ram 1500 TRX V8 means the value of the factory-backed examples sold in Australia are likely to skyrocket, as it marks the end of an era.

Car-makers around the world are being forced to downsize from V8 to six-cylinder or four-cylinder power amid stricter emissions regulations globally – even though demand for V8s remains off the charts.

Sales of V8-powered US pick-ups have set sales record every year for the past six years in Australia, driven largely by the popularity of Ram models, ahead of Chevrolet which has been outsold by more than two-to-one over the same period.

Ford and Toyota will soon join the US pick-up market locally, however they will have twin-turbo V6 petrol power (also backed by hybrid tech in the case of the Toyota).

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