Ram Rebel TRX Stuns But Will They Build It

When the Ram Rebel was first introduced, it turned a lot of heads. Now Ram has gone a step farther with the Rebel TRX and we need it!

When Ram decided to show off its new Raptor killer, the Rebel XRT, they could not have picked a better place than the Texas State Fair. Drawing crowds, this pickup is fierce in its look and stance. What is under the hood is what really has people talking.

A 6.2L supercharged Hemi V8. Before you go using the name Hellcat, the Ram version is only tuned to put out 574hp. That is well under the 707hp that the 2017 Charger is putting out with the same configuration. The 574hp is 100 more than the newly released numbers for the 2017 Raptor.

For now, all we can do is dream about owning one of these beasts as it is still just a concept vehicle. If consumers do not react well to Ford putting the 3.5L Ecoboost in the raptor, Ram has the Rebel TRX waiting in the wings. I would not be surprised to see a limited production announcement this winter.

The transmission choice in the Ram Rebel TRX does raise some eyebrows. An eight-speed paddle shift transmission is mated to the supercharged Hemi. Paddle shift would be a new development in off-road truck design.

Truth is, even though the Raptor is built for off-road, the vast majority rarely every get off the asphalt. The TRX concept does have 40% more suspension travel than the standard ram Rebel. The 37-inch tires catch the eye right away on this bruting truck.

The Ram Rebel TRX is another example of what Dodge has been doing successfully now for years. Instead of subtle refinement, they go with brute force and power. With the Ford Raptor getting the Ecoboost, the Ram Rebel TRX goes big with the supercharged Hemi. It provides consumers an option that is completely different in its concept.

The interior in the concept at the Texas State Fair is just as aggressive as the exterior. The dual vertical mounted spare tires and “bed sport bar” punctuate the bed of this beast. I really like the six tie mount, handles lining the top of the bed. The Ram Rebel TRX definitely looks like it belongs off road tearing through the mud.

Related Story: Ford Raptor Gets Power Bump and Better Mileage in 2017

The big three automakers have all stunned us with their trucks this fall. The Raptor with the Ecoboost, the Chevy 2500HD with its 900+ torque numbers and now Ram with the Rebel TRX. The only problem is, I can buy the first two in 2017. Ram needs to follow through with the Rebel TRX and let us have it ASAP!