It seems like only yesterday that Stellantis was keen to kill off V8 engines altogether, replacing them with either turbocharged inline-six cylinder powerplants or all-electric forms of motivation. However, a lot has changed over the past few months, and amid falling sales, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stepped down this past December. Since then, we’ve seen a major shift in strategy at that Ford rival, with V8s seemingly set to make a comeback. As such, the previously-discontinued Ram 1500 TRX – the only true Ford F-150 Raptor R rival – may be returning soon, too.
According to Mopar Insiders, the Ram 1500 TRX will reportedly come back in 2026, once again packing a Hemi V8 under its hood. It’s unclear what iteration of that powerplant might be used in the reborn TRX, but Stellantis is still moving through its current stockpile with the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, which would seemingly make such a move rather simple. Rumors do indicate that the new Ram 1500 TRX will arrive packing more power than the old model, too, which generated 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque from its supercharged 6.2L V8.
As Ford Authority reported back in October 2023, it was previously expected that Stellantis would bring the TRX back at some point, albeit, with a more powerful version of its twin-turbocharged 3.0L I-6 Hurricane engine. Now, it seems as if those plans might be out the window, at least, if this report winds up becoming a reality. Presumably, the new Ram 1500 TRX would target the current Raptor R’s 720 horsepower supercharged 5.2L V8, which received a 20 hp bump compared to the 2023 model.
In the meantime, the Ram RHO is available with that same powerplant touting an output of 540 horsepower and and 521 pound-feet of torque, making it a direct rival for the EcoBoost-powered F-150 Raptor. It otherwise features many of the same upgrades as the old TRX, such as 35-inch tires, special shocks, a lifted suspension, and beefier styling than the regular Ram 1500.
Comments
Competition for R though TRX is still not match
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Awesome! Would love to see a V8 (any decent V8) in a mid sized truck now, too.
Just what Jim didn’t need to hear. Now there’ll be a Raptor R JF. More absurdity to waste time on. As if the new Mustang variants a month weren’t bad enough.
The resident whiner/basher will always find something to whine about. Let’s try this, name 3 positive things you like about Ford.