FEATURE – 2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition
Credits
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: RAM Trucks Australia
The automotive landscape is changing and most carmakers are changing with it. If you want evidence of that, look no further than Toyota, who are ditching the V8 in the evergreen LandCruiser 70 Series and committing to an all-hybrid future. Others are abandoning petrol power entirely to go all-electric. RAM Trucks aren’t quite on board with electrification, but they are making changes, with the RAM 1500 TRX ‘Final Edition’ to mark the end of an era.
As is apparent by the name, the TRX Final Edition will be the last TRX, but it’ll also be the last RAM pickup to be offered with the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8. After the 2025 model year, the naturally-aspirated 5.7-litre HEMI will join it on the retirement list, replaced by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six in future RAM models.
A Short History
The 6.2 supercharged HEMI is a relatively recent addition for RAM, but the HEMI has history with RAM/Dodge pickups going back more than two decades. Non-HEMI V8s in these pickups have an even longer history, dating back to the 1950s. Many big V8s from the muscle car era of the 1960s found their way into Dodge pickups, too. Thanks to a loophole in US regulations, these engines could still be factory fitted to trucks when they had essentially been banned in cars, leading to high-performance pickups, like the Li’l Red Express Truck and Warlock.
While the V8 history with Dodge pickups is long, the RAM name is more recent. A charging ram mascot had adorned the bonnets of Dodge cars and trucks from the 1930s to the 1950s, but wouldn’t become a model name until 1981. The first-generation Dodge RAM from that year was offered with a variety of body styles and engine options, as well as a choice of two- or four-wheel drive.
The second-generation RAM that arrived in 1994 set a styling template that’s still seen in some of the latest models, like the big grille with ‘Dodge Cross’ bars. The third-generation RAM from 2002 had similar looks, but boasted a new frame, improved suspension, greater payload and towing capacity, plus more interior space. Along with the 5.9-litre HEMI V8 producing 182kW and 454Nm (245hp and 335lb/ft), an 8.0-litre V10 was also available with this generation.
The fourth-generation RAM that launched in 2009 is more familiar to Australians as it was the basis for the first units locally re-engineered to RHD by RAM Trucks Australia. Also known as the DS Series, the Gen 4 RAM brought new drivetrains and revised styling, along with innovations like the ‘RamBox’ lockable storage system in the sides of the load bed.
In 2010, RAM was separated from Dodge to become its own brand, with the current, fifth-generation RAM (aka the DT Series) arriving in 2018. The off-road, high-performance TRX made its debut in 2021 as a step up from the RAM Rebel and a more direct rival to the Ford F-150 Raptor that’s been around in the US since 2010. The RAM TRX reached Australia in 2022.
Final Flourish
The 1500 TRX Final Edition, which launched in the US in August, 2023, is largely unchanged from the standard TRX mechanically, with the 6.2 HEMI producing the same 523kW and 882Nm, along with supercar-like acceleration of 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds. For comparison, the twin-turbo six that will replace the brawny V8 in future RAMs produces 313kW and 638Nm. Reining this power in is an all-disc braking package (378mm front and 375mm rear) that’s claimed to be the largest in its class.
The HEMI is hooked up to a Torqueflite eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) and full-time four-wheel drive with an active two-speed transfer case. To minimise the risk of swamping the engine in water crossings, half of the air that feeds the engine is drawn through the bonnet scoop, which has its own system to channel water away. The TRX’s dual-element air filter is designed for dry and dusty environments, like Australia, and claims four times the dust-trapping capacity of its closest competitor.
To prevent body flexing on rough and challenging trails, high-strength steel is used for the TRX’s frame, with forged aluminium for many of the suspension components.
Other off-road specifics include 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler tyres (with wider wheelarch flares to suit the wider track), tow hooks, a front skidplate, active suspension (with adaptive Bilstein shocks) in the independent front and five-link rear set-up, with 330mm of front and 355mm of rear suspension travel. Ground clearance is 295mm and thanks to that clever bonnet scoop, wading depth is 812mm. Approach, departure and breakover angles are 30.2, 23.5 and 21.9 degrees, respectively.
At the rear, a Dana 60 axle with anti-hop damper and an electronic locking diff are standard. Diff ratio is 3.55:1.
Multiple driving modes – Auto, Sport, Custom, Snow, Tow, Rock, Mud/Sand – are enhanced by ‘Baja’ on the TRX that calibrates the throttle response, drive allocation and steering, along with the transmission shifting, stability control and suspension for “ultimate desert performance”.
While much has been made of RAM’s superior towing capacity of 4500kg, that impacts the GCM limit once passengers and gear are on board. As such, the TRX Final Edition’s braked towing capacity is capped at the Australian standard of 3500kg. This allows the payload capacity of 743kg to be utilised. The load bed is 1,711mm long and 1,687mm wide (1,295mm between the wheelarches).
Premium Inside, Exclusive Out
Inside the 5-seat cabin of the TRX Final Edition, the latest Uconnect 5C infotainment system is operated off a 12-inch touchscreen, with specific “TRX Performance Content” for this and the 12-inch instrument display.
A 19-speaker, 900-watt Harmon Kardon audio system adds a premium sound experience, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all standard, along with remote entry, push-button starting, 12V outlets, USB multiple ports and a wireless charging pad.
There are multiple identifiers for the ‘Final Edition’ inside, including on the centre console (with build number) and passenger side dash.
Interior trim is based on the premium RAM 1500 Limited and includes TRX logos embroidered into the uprights of the leather and suede front seats, with both front and outer rear seats heated and ventilated. Front seats feature eight-way power adjustment and extra bolstering, too. There’s also Triaxle-suede door panel inserts and “4x4 weave” matte carbonfibre on the instrument panel, doors, console and flat-bottom steering wheel. The latter, a TRX exclusive, is also heated.
Adjustable pedals, power windows, power mirrors, a power sunroof, dual zone climate control, multiple storage options and cup holders are part of the interior spec, too.
Externally, beadlock-capable 18-inch wheels are finished in an exclusive Satin Titanium colour that’s repeated on the ‘6.2-litre’ bonnet badge and large ‘RAM’ tailgate decal. The Final Edition is available in three new and unique paint choices – Delmonico Red, Night Edge Blue and Harvest Sunrise.
Safety and security features include the ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist, Traction Control, Trailer Sway Control, Ready Alert Braking, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, ABS, ESC with electronic roll mitigation, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus, TPMS, LED lighting (including auto projector headlamps) and six airbags.
Aus Allocation
When they announced the TRX Final Edition last year, RAM Trucks committed to producing only 4,000 units. Most of those are going to the North American market, but the strength of RAM in Australia means that 130 have been secured for local release.
“The first TRX was engineered to handle the most punishing conditions with extreme capability and durability,” said Jeff Barber, General Manager RAM Trucks Australia.
“These TRX Final Editions round out that legacy and we’re delighted to secure 130 of them from our colleagues at RAM Trucks International and send off the legendary 6.2-litre supercharged HEMI V8 in the style it deserves.”
Local pricing for the TRX Final Edition starts at $249,950, plus on-road costs. That’s a $20K premium over the regular TRX, but given its “last of the line” status, this farewell to the HEMI V8 is expected to be a sellout locally. Local rollout started in Q2, so very few units are expected to still be available at time of writing.
See your RAM Trucks Australia dealer for availability and further details.
