The Ram 1500 TRX debuted not that long ago, packing an ass-kicking supercharged 6.2-liter V8 pumping out 702 horsepower and a not-so-subtle graphic of a Tyrannosaurus rex chomping on a raptor. But while the V8-powered Ford F-150 Raptor R lives on into the future, Ram is killing the present iteration of the TRX. The brand announced a final edition for the 2024 model year.
Here's what we know about what the future holds for Ram's king of the tyrant pickups.
Ram is not killing off the 1500 TRX entirely after 2024
Ram explicitly said that the 2024 model year is "not the end of the TRX's story." The brand has promised "more news to come at a later date." Ram distinguishing that it was ending production of the 1500 TRX "powered by the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI® V-8 engine" still leaves room for Ram to bring that truck back powered by something else.
The Ram 1500 TRX could return very soon — perhaps for 2025
Ram has not confirmed when the "later date" for the future news will be. But Road & Track spotted a prototype for what appears to be a future Ram 1500 TRX. It bears a strong relationship to the current TRX and may be the same generation truck with a different powertrain.
What engine will the new 1500 TRX get to replace the V8?
The most probable engine replacement for the TRX is Stellantis's 3.0-liter "Hurricane" turbocharged inline-six engine seen in the Grand Wagoneer models. The High Output version in the Grand Wagoneer brings an impressive 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque to the table (competitive numbers with the standard Ford F-150 Raptor). And the Hurricane may be able to put out more.
Per Automotive News, the High Output Hurricane can put out at least 520 horsepower. And Stellantis's head of global propulsion Micky Bly — while discussing the Hurricane — noted to Automotive News that "we have more power. We just haven't released it yet." The power number may not approach the 702 horsepower from the supercharged "Hellcat" V8 in the outgoing vehicle, but it could still be quite formidable. And given market conditions and Stellantis's existing record of adding plug-in hybrid technology to make its trucks and SUVs more powerful — see the Jeep Wrangler 4xe — it's possible a PHEV Hurricane could combine the turbo six, electric motors and a battery pack to exceed the current Ram 1500 TRX's mighty output.
Why the Ram 1500 TRX has to ditch the V8
Fleet emissions standards, basically. The Ram 1500 TRX earns 10 mpg in city driving and requires burning through 8.3 gallons of gas on average to travel 100 miles. Call it the jewel of the pre-Stellantis all-red-meat sales strategy: Ram Trucks, Jeep SUVs and Dodge Muscle Cars with an ample supply of Hemi V8s across the board — no fuel-efficient vegetables.
That's an excellent strategy for profits. It's not so excellent for meeting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. According to Reuters, Stellantis is looking at paying a potential $3 billion in CAFE fines under the proposed fuel economy standards through 2032. That's three times as much as Ford will be shelling out and why — as the legislation intends — we are seeing Stellantis abruptly kill Hemi V8s in many areas and pivot hard toward electric vehicles.
And there is an electric 1500 TRX coming
Ram revealed its Ram 1500 REV electric truck, which is far closer to the conventional Ram 1500 than the concept. Ram CEO Mike Koval confirmed the 1500 REV will have a trim lineup that tracks with the combustion pickup, including an "off-road king of the hill" TRX version.
The eventual replacement for the extreme gas-guzzling TRX could be an extreme electricity-consuming truck to battle the likes of the GMC Hummer EV SUT. And there's theoretically nothing stopping Ram from making that electric TRX sound like the old V8.
