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Ram's TRX Revival: V8 Roar Returns to the Spotlight
Ram appears poised to bring its halo truck back into the spotlight. Under new Stellantis leadership, whispers that the Ram 1500 TRX will return—this time with a Hellcat-derived V8—have moved from speculation to strong industry rumor. With competitors sharpening their teeth, Ram's performance flagship could re-emerge as a bruising, analog counterpoint to the electric and turbocharged alternatives reshaping the high-performance pickup segment.
Leadership change and what it means
When Antonio Filosa took over as Stellantis CEO and Tim Kuniskis returned to guide the American brands, strategy shifted quickly. Ram already added a 5.7-liter eTorque Hemi V8 to the 2026 1500 lineup and confirmed the TRX is coming back. That endorsement matters: it signals a renewed appetite for high-horsepower, V8-powered trucks at a time when many manufacturers are pivoting to electrification.
What to expect: powertrain and performance
The original TRX stunned the pickup world with 702 horsepower. Early reports and creative renderings from digital artist Andrei Avarvarii suggest the new TRX could return in a Redeye-like tune pushing toward 797 hp. If true, Ram would position the TRX above the 540-hp Ram RHO and well into rivalry territory with Ford's enhanced Raptor R and its 720-hp tune.
Highlights:
- Possible Hellcat-derived V8 or high-output Hemi variant
- Redeye-level output rumored near 797 hp
- Complement to the 540-hp Ram RHO, forming a two-model performance lineup
These figures would aim to restore Ram's halo status against the 450-hp Ford F-150 Raptor and the boosted 720-hp Raptor R, while offering the visceral appeal only a thunderous V8 can provide.
Design and digital previews
Virtual artist Avarvarii Automotive Artworks (Andrei Avarvarii) collaborated with Car and Driver to visualize the 2026/2027 TRX. The digital concept foregrounds wider fenders, a more aggressive front fascia, and functional aero that signals both desert speed and on-road menace. While CGI isn't confirmation, it reflects credible expectations about Ram's design direction for a true performance pickup.
Market context: V8 vs. turbo and EV rivals
The performance pickup market is broadening. Electric trucks like the GMC Hummer EV SUT bring instant torque and headline-grabbing specs, but they can't reproduce the sensory drama of a V8's sound and character. Ram's strategy appears to be balancing both worlds: keeping the emotional, combustion-engine halo alive while expanding its mainstream 1500 range with modern drivetrains.
Price and timing
Ram hasn't released official specs or prices, but sources point to an on-sale reveal by year-end and deliveries starting next spring. Expected pricing sits in the $110,000 to $120,000 range, roughly comparable to the 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor R's destination-inclusive starting price of about $114,000.
"The return of the TRX could be less about raw numbers and more about a statement: the V8 still matters to a core group of enthusiasts," says a market analyst familiar with Ram's planning.
Quick comparison
- Ram TRX (rumored): Hellcat V8, up to ~797 hp, launch late 2026/early 2027
- Ram 1500 RHO: 540 hp, positioned beneath the TRX
- Ford F-150 Raptor / Raptor R: 450 hp base Raptor, 720 hp Raptor R
- GMC Hummer EV SUT: electric alternative with instant torque, different appeal
Whether the TRX returns as a pure combustion-engine icon or eventually spawns hybridized variants, its comeback would be a clear sign that performance trucks still sell on sound, spectacle, and capability—not just numbers on a spec sheet. For now, enthusiasts should watch for official confirmation before the end of the year and expect deliveries the following spring.
Source: autoevolution
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