Ram Rebel TRX concept is a Hellcat-powered Raptor-fighter
Thu, Sep 29 2016
As you may have guessed from the intro, the Rebel TRX uses a supercharged V8. A version of the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the Hellcat twins (and, we suspect, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk). Because of some new calibrations to make the engine more suited for off-road driving, it doesn't make the full 707 horsepower of the Charger and Challenger. But the TRX engine still cranks out 575 horsepower, which is a full 125 more than the new SVT Raptor. That's enough to propel the mega-sized truck to 100 mph in its off road terrain mode.
Power is transferred through an 8-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. At the back, the Rebel TRX has an electronic locking differential. The TRX also gets an updated version of the Ram's 4x4 Performance Control System featuring Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-road and - best of all - Baja modes. The latter mode is the one that will do triple digits through the desert.
Of course a sweet powertrain needs chassis and tire upgrades to round out the package, and the Rebel TRX has plenty of improvements. The standard Ram 1500 frame is unchanged, but bolted to it are custom front control arms, internal bypass shocks at each corner and new springs. The changes bring suspension travel to a full 13 inches all around. It also provides enough space to fit massive 37 x 13.5-inch tires. Ram also added six-piston calipers with 15-inch discs at the front and 14-inch discs at the back.
Finally, Ram gave all this heavy duty equipment a big, burly wrapper. The body is a full six-inches wider than the standard 1500 with large composite fenders to cover the aforementioned tires. The truck also has a vented and scooped hood based on the Ram HD. This was necessary to help cool the engine and provide vertical clearance for the supercharger. A large sport bar was added to the back and has provisions for carrying a pair of spare tires, plus an LED light bar on top. The truck also has a big steel skid plate up front, and a sweet integrated side-exit exhaust behind the doors.
Inside, the truck gets plenty of leather, suede and carbon fiber. The front seats also have racing harnesses attached to a harness bar that spans the B-pillars. And Rebel TRX takes a page out of the Porsche playbook with Nylon-door pulls instead of handles.
Now of course this isn't a true Raptor rival yet because it's just a one-off concept. But Ram did say that the company is looking at the market to see if a truck like this would be a good idea, as well as the intention to offer more off-road friendly vehicles. So Ram fans, if you really want this truck, you'd better make sure Chrysler hears you. We would certainly love to see it reach production, and we already like the swagger of the TRX name. You know T-Rex, as in bigger and badder than a Raptor.
This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.
Related Video:
This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.
Featured Gallery Ram Rebel TRX concept
View 21 Photos
- Image Credit: Ram
- RAM
- Truck
- Concept Cars
- Off-Road Vehicles
- Performance
- ford raptor
- texas state fair
- ram rebel
- rebel
By Joel Stocksdale
See also: Here's why automakers roll out those Texas-themed pickup trucks, Ram Recall for some 2016 Heavy-Duty Pickups | Autoblog Minute, Ram issues recall on heavy-duty pickup transfer cases.