SPOTTED: Ram 1500 TRX roams Clayton, local launch?

AN EAGLE-eyed GoAutoreader has snapped a Ram TRX wearing Victorian Trader plates roaming the streets of Clayton in Melbourne, close to the Walkinshaw facility where Australian-delivered Ram pick-up trucks are converted to right-hand drive.

Given the TRX has been on sale in the US for almost a year and the fact the vehicle spotted in Clayton was completely undisguised, it would seem Ram Trucks Australia’s quest to secure the Hellcat-powered monster is close to success.

What exactly the big rig is doing on Aussie soil remains to be seen, however given it was spotted so close to the Walkinshaw headquarters, it is more than likely the TRX was being put through some basic local testing in the lead-up to a local introduction given the famed tuning brand is responsible for officially converting all locally delivered Ram vehicles from left-hook to right-hand drive.

But Ram Trucks Australia’s public relations department is remaining tight-lipped for the time being, telling GoAuto there was “nothing specific to confirm at this stage” despite its previous and ongoing interest in the model.

“Ram Trucks Australia has just launched the all-new 2500, following the well-received launch of the new 1500 DT earlier in the year,” a spokesperson said.

“Alongside the existing 1500 DS, and soon-to-be-launched 3500, we look forward to sharing further exciting developments in due course.”

The local arm has been keen to secure the TRX for an Aussie introduction ever since it debuted Stateside in mid-August 2020, the headline act being its supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, good for a supercar-baiting 523kW/880Nm.

Despite its immense size and 35-inch off-road tyres, Ram says the TRX will launch from 0-97km/h in 4.5 seconds, hit 160km/h in 10.5s and top out at 190km/h.

Sacrifices have had to be made in terms of the 1500’s utilitarian platform to achieve this insane level of performance in a ute as well as enhanced off-road capability, primarily in regard to a diminished payload rating of just 594kg – while the maximum braked towing capacity is 3674kg.

Compared to the standard 1500, the TRX’s body is dripping with extra menace. It is 203mm wider with an enlarged bonnet scoop to help feed that monstrous supercharger, a bigger, flow-through Ram grille badge, functional air curtains, bulky fender flares and five-inch dual exhaust tips.

Under the skin is a thicker steel chassis frame, five separate skid plates, a 50mm suspension lift, new independent front suspension with active damping (controlled by three drive modes), beefier control arms and other upgraded components, along with a revised five-link rear coil suspension layout and Dana 60 back axle.

A low-range transfer case with a 2.64:1 drive ratio and a rear locking differential further aid off-road performance.

To suit the wider body and heavily upgraded chassis package, the front and rear tracks have been widened by 152mm while the front axle itself has been shifted 20mm further forward in the name of weight distribution.