This seems like one of those products that was dreamt up by a bunch of enthusiasts in a mancave somewhere after a few cold ones. It is the most outrageous dual-cab vehicle to ever hit Australia, and, therefor (judging by the popularity of utes), one of the most desirable vehicles on the market.
Yes it’s the RAM 1500 TRX. Sadly, the days are numbered for the T-Rex of pickup trucks, as RAM, like all carmakers, has to lower its average emissions output and that means downsizing combustion engines, cutting cylinders, and/or adding electrification technologies.
As recently reported, RAM is ending production of the regular HEMI V8 to make way for a new family of inline-six petrol engines. These are set to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2025. So the fate of the TRX is murky. Whether or not the nameplate returns is yet to be confirmed. And if it does, the chance of it featuring a V8 is very slim.
We thought we’d take the TRX for one last spin to say goodbye. And as a bonus, we’re sampling the TRX Final Edition.
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: Specifications
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Output: 523kW@6100rpm / 882Nm@4800rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×9.0, 325/65
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2973kg
Power-to-weight: 5.68:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 19.6L/100km
Our consumption: 20.7L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 125L/91 RONPower efficiency: 26.68kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.34 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.69 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.17 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.12 seconds at 159.6km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.100g*
100-0km/h braking: 44.76m in 3.62 seconds*
Max deceleration: -0.982g*
Decibel at idle: 56*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 88*
Starting price: $249,950
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: How much does it cost?
With 4000 units produced globally, and just 130 examples for Australia, this is a very exclusive edition. Adding to that, total sales figures for the regular TRX are not clearly understood but it is thought to be somewhere in the region of 850 units, since it arrived here a couple of years ago. So the TRX alone is already very rare.
As you might expect, the Final Edition is not cheap. Prices start from $249,950, or about $25,000 more than the regular TRX (excluding on-road costs).
It is stupendously expensive. But think of it this way, if you want a pickup truck that can race in one of those crazy desert challenges in America, straight out of the box, there are only two vehicles that can do it; this and the Ford Ranger Raptor. However, the TRX features more serious, heavy-duty components and a 700hp muscle car engine. This is in a completely different league.
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: Interior & packaging
With a total width of 2235mm and total length of 5929mm, and a load bed length making up 1711mm of that latter figure, it’s no surprise the cabin is massive. Like, probably one of the biggest passenger vehicle cabins around.
It’s not possible to reach across to the passenger-side door handle from the driver’s seat, for example, without fully unbuckling and getting up out of your seat. That’s how big it is in here. A small child could probably fit in the centre console storage box, and the armrest is easily big enough to fit an adult bum on it.
The concept of spaciousness is not really applicable here. It’s more about how much space will be left over once everything and everyone is inside. You’d need to be a really fat family to fill it up. The sheer room available makes it a really comfortable place to be. Kind of like sitting in your living room at home.
RAM has done a fantastic job of applying lots of practical measures in here as well. For example, you’ve got USB-A and -C ports in the front, a wireless phone charging ‘clipboard’ that holds your phone in place while charging, and lots of little and large pockets and pads to put your things.
Up on the dash is a 12-inch vertical-oriented touch-screen running the excellent Uconnect interface, presenting clear graphics, intuitive menus and lots of functionality. But, gratefully, there are plenty of physically buttons around the screen as well, so you can easily make quick adjustments to the climate control and so on without the distraction of swiping and prodding about on the screen. It’s a good blend.
The Final Edition comes comprehensively-equipped with features, as it should for $250k, including a 19-speaker, 900W Harman Kardon sound system, heated/cooled seats in the front and outer rear, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a full sunroof with tilt opening, and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.
Specific to the Final Edition are some TRX logos embroidered on the seats, Patina stitching for the seats and parts of the dash, a special badge and build number plaque on the centre arm rest, Triaxle-suede door trimmings, and some carbon fibre weave scattered around.
For the exterior, there’s a set of 18-inch Satin Titanium bead-lock capable wheels wearing chunky-as 325/65 (35-inch) Goodyear Wrangler Territory tyres, with a Satin Titanium bonnet badge. Buyers have three exterior colour options: Delmonico Red, Harvest Sunrise, and Night Edge Blue as featured here.
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: Powertrain & handling
At the heart of the TRX Final Edition lies the epic 6.2-litre supercharged HEMI V8 engine, churning out a jaw-dropping 523kW and 882Nm. That’s 702hp, in a pickup truck. Sure, it does weigh 3057kg (kerb), but the power-to-weight ratio of 171kW:1000kg is better than the current VW Golf R (155kW:1000kg). And that’s one of the quickest super hatches on sale.
Push that through those mud-ripping tyres all at once, in the angriest mode and using the on-board launch control, and you’ll see 0-100km/h done in a claimed 4.5 seconds. I tested this example on the usual private road with the Vbox and it recorded 0-100km/h in 4.69 seconds, and the quarter mile in 13.12 seconds at the limited top speed of 160km/h – max velocity is electronically limited due to the off-road tyres. About two years ago I tested the regular TRX in 4.50 seconds and 13.18 seconds, in cooler conditions compared with this test.
But anyway, this isn’t a drag racing machine despite the Hellcat engine and relationship with some of Dodge’s meanest muscle cars. This is an off-road machine. Starting with a regular RAM 1500 as a base, the TRX goes through an extensive re-engineering program, with extra chassis bracing, reinforcement fixtures and components, and a heap of big and small tweaks to ensure this thing can launch off big jumps and land smoothly, and do it again and again.
To highlight some of the specifics, the chassis and construction elements features more high-strength steel. The dual-intake system breathes through the biggest air filter ever seen in this class. The brakes are bigger, the 8HP95 ZF eight-speed auto is beefed up as is the transfer case, and Dana 60 rear axles and axle-hop damper are added. And then the suspension… well that deserves its own paragraph.
Front and rear 2.6-inch Bilstein Black Hawk adaptive dampers with special springs – including coils at the back for the live axle – provide not just hard-hitting absorption and adjustable settings, but surprisingly good comfort and ride when you’re not doing jumps. It is one of the most comfortable dual-cab vehicles around.
Despite its off-road DNA, the TRX handles with decent composure on tarmac. There is a bit of flex and squeal from the tyres when pushed, but the tracking remains focused and the steering is communicative enough for this style of vehicle.
The size is the main concern if you’re in the city. This is too long for regular car park spaces unless you have room to over-hang the rear bumper. And the width can be challenging in tight inner-city streets. However, the TRX is not designed for city driving. This is designed for out in the country. And it’s fine in such conditions.
Visibility is obviously good – it feels like you’re driving a monster truck half the time – and the steering is light, with a surround-view camera providing that extra assurance if you’re not completely sure. And even though the engine produces 700hp, the throttle is not super-sensitive; your grandmother could drive this around, no worries.
As for the off-road credentials? Well, although RAM asked me not to test this example off road, I have tested a TRX previously on the old site and, yeah, whatever track you have in mind, this will probably do it without an issue. Unless the 4×4 track you’re thinking of is really narrow or technical, this is simply too big for that kind of thing.
To run you through some of the main figures, the TRX offers 252mm of ground clearance (with bash plates for anything you manage to snag), with a 30.2-degree approach angle, 23.5-degree departure angle, and 21.9-degree break-over. Low range and a diff lock add further backup. It’ll do it, don’t worry.
And just lastly, fuel economy. It’s not good, at 19.6L/100km on the official cycle. In the real world, with some highway driving and performance testing, I managed 20.7L/100km. Considering the engine belts out all of that power, the consumption rate make sense. The 125L fuel tank provides a theoretical average range of 638km.
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Power: 702hp from the supercharged HEMI V8 delivers unparalleled performance for a pickup; this is the most powerful ‘ute’ ever offered in Australia.
- Exclusivity: The Final Edition is limited to 4000 units globally, and just 130 in Australia, ensuring high collectible status.
- Practical and well-built cabin: Carbon fibre accents, suede materials, and bespoke stitching, paired with loads of space and convenient-minded measures.
- In-car tech: The Uconnect touch-screen is awesome, with lots of physical buttons to help reduce distraction, along with 19-speaker audio, surround-view camera and lots of driving mode settings.
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: Key considerations before you buy
- Price tag: Exclusive features and performance come at a premium. A big premium.
- Limited availability: In Australia only around 850 TRXs have ever been officially introduced, making it quite a difficult vehicle to get ahold of.
- Urban usability: The TRX’s length and width can be cumbersome in tight city environments. So best keep this one for the bush or out in the country.
2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
Final word
The 2024 RAM 1500 TRX Final Edition is more than just a truck; it’s a farewell to one of the most legendary vehicles in off-road history. It represents the pinnacle of performance and exclusivity in this segment. Let’s hope RAM can introduce a next-gen model that retains all of the brute character of this original.