Ram TRX: Quickest, Fastest & Most Powerful Truck in the World

Unique Exterior Look

Some of the Ram 1500 TRX test trucks captured by spy photographers have a standard body, leading many to believe that the production version of this performance truck would lack the unique body design of the 2016 concept. That is not true at all, as the 2021 TRX is unique from front to back.

Up front, the Ram TRX has wheel flares and out back, it has unique steel bedsides that work together to create a body that is 8-inches wider than the other 1500 models. The front fenders also have a vent system with an inlet at the outer edge of the headlights that improves high speed aerodynamics. The Ram Full LED Adaptive Front-lighting System is standard on the TRX, featuring twin bi-functional projector headlamps that angle with the steering wheel, along with LED fog lights.

These headlights flank a huge grille that carries the bigger RAM font logo in the lineup, with the letters being hollowed-out to allow as much air flow as possible. Below the grille is a set of large tow hooks and above the grille is the unique TRX hood. The hood has a large scoop to feed the engine and a raised center section that sits between a pair of heat-extracting vents. The hood is fully functional, but it looks great, too.

Out back, LED taillights are standard, as are two more large tow hooks and the dual 5-inch exhaust tips. The back end can be dressed up with slick options like a rollover bar with LED fog lights, a bed-mounted spare tire carrier and graphics on the bedsides. Buyers can also add rock rails or running boards, and a huge panoramic sunroof.

High Tech Interior

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is a high performance pickup, but it is also a high tech marvel with the most space in the segment. The 12-inch UConnect infotainment system is standard, as is the 7-inch reconfigurable driver information center. This infotainment system is the first to incorporate the Drive Mode system and the Off-Road Pages performance screens with gauges, timing systems and other readouts. Interior technology options include the new heads-up display system, the new trailer backup control system, the new digital rearview mirror system and the 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Next, to bring in the sporty feel, the TRX comes with an SRT-style flat-bottom steering wheel and front bucket seats with the deepest bolsters in the segment. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and equipped with large, aluminum shift paddles and a variety of infotainment control buttons. In standard TR trim, the seats are cloth, but when the buyers steps up to the TR1 trim level, the seats are heated leather, as is the steering wheel. TR2 adds ventilation to the seats and reclining rear seats, while both TR1 and TR2 include the Modular Lightweight Load-bearing Equipment / Pouch Attachment Ladder System (MOLLE/PALS) storage system.

While the Drive Modes can be changed and adjusted via the huge touchscreen, there is also a dedicated switch panel that allows the driver to easily toggle between modes. There is also a button for the launch control system and the four-wheel-drive system. There is also a small panel for the integrated trailer braking system and auxiliary switches.

Finally, the center console of the Ram 1500 TRX is unique, as it has a shift handle rather than a shift knob. Many people hate the knob, so enthusiasts will be happy to see the shift handle. Just beyond that new shifter is the TRX information plate, with all of the details of this incredible pickup on the leather console lid.

Price and Availability

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX goes on sale on August 18 and as mentioned above, this high performance beast starts at $69,995 plus $1,695 destination. Production will begin early in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the company plans to begin delivering these trucks before the end of the year. FCA has not offered prices for all of the options, but we can expect those numbers to surface soon, with the truck going on sale a day after the debut.

We do know that there will be 702 examples of the Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition built and they will have an MSRP of $88,570 plus destination. Those limited edition trucks come heavily loaded with all of the key options.

This includes the components of the TR2 trim level, carbon fiber interior trim, the panoramic sunroof, the beadlock wheels, the 19-speaker Harman sound system, the bedside and hood graphics and package-specific Anvil Gray paint. With just 702 units being planned for production, paying homage to the supercharged Hemi’s horsepower output, these trucks are going to sell out in a hurry. As for the “regular” Ram TRX, production is not limited to a set number, so everyone who has the means and desire to get one will be able to get one.

Photos: RAM

Join the Dodge Forums now!

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

Facebook   Twitter