Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 Is Every Savage’s Dream Truck

Hellcat Rebel TRX render looks a whole lot like the 2016 concept, except with modern design aspects.

We don’t know when the Ram 1500 with the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat Hemi is coming but we know that it is—soon. In addition to comments by FCA executives, a press release celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Ram Truck brand back in October of 2019 stated that the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX Rebel was approved for production. Since then, plenty of spy shots showing what are believed to be Ram TRX test trucks on the road, but the company hasn’t offered any official information.

The most recent hint to Ram 1500 Rebel TRX production was the artwork for the 2020 FCA Drive for Design contest, which shows a bright yellow pickup with the modern front end styling paired with obvious design cues of the 2016 concept truck. Having seen that poster artwork, we asked our amazing automotive artist, Pouria Savadkouei, to essentially combine the key features of the 2016 concept with the styling of the modern generation.

As you see here, the finished product is breathtaking.

Hellcat Ram Front End

Up front, we have a face that is similar to that of the current production Ram 1500 Rebel (non-TRX). However, there are several key changes. The front bumper is shorter, allowing for more ground clearance and approach angle while still incorporating driving lights and tow hooks. The grille is also similar to the current models, but our artist accentuated the “RAM” logo while extending the lower portion of the grille out more to accept more air. Unnamed individuals involved with the project have assured us that while the concept truck had “only” 575 horsepower, the production version will have a 700-plus rating similar to the Dodge and Jeep models with the same power plant.

The headlights are unique from the current production trucks, as the Ram 1500 TRX with the Hellcat Hemi is expected to have bulging, flared fenders. Those fenders should effectively widen the front end, leading to extra space for package-specific headlights. Hovering over those headlights is a unique hood with a large, raised center section flanked by air vents and at the leading edge of this muscular hood is an integrated hood scoop.

Along the sides, integrated side-exit exhaust is tucked between the bulging wheel flares and from the side view, we get the best look at the off-road ready wheels and tires.

High-performance Rear View

From the rear view, we get a better look at the front flares of our Ram 1500 Rebel TRX, with rear-facing vents to help pull heat from the engine bay. We also get a better look at the integrated exhaust system that we really hope finds its way to production, along with a unique rear bumper that also has integrated tow hooks.

The key features in our rear end image begin with the big, fat off-road tires tucked under the flared bedsides and the sport bar in the bed, featuring dual spare tire holders. Like the concept, our rendering also has the handles mounted along the top of the bed and an off-road light bar mounted over the rear of the cab. Of course, the TRX logo is proudly displayed in the trailing edge of the bedsides.

While we would like to see features like the sport bar with the off-road lights and the tire rack, those items may not come as standard. We believe that they will be offered as an option, but for those folks who want to use the bed of their 700-plus horsepower Ram 1500, the extra items in the bed are likely to be optional.

However, we were told that the production truck will stay true to the concept and if that is the case, the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX should look a great deal like the artwork shown here.

Finally, while we stuck to the exterior design with our renderings, we can expect that the interior of the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX will be just as impressive as the other Hellcat-powered vehicles. Our sources have told us that the brand will showcase all of its premium interior technology features, including the 12-inch UConnect screen, their elaborate camera systems and the booming Harman Kardon sound system.

Again, while these are strictly renderings done by a skilled artist, the production version of the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX should look a great deal like the truck shown here when it is all optioned-out.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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