We don’t usually cover bakkies on this site, but we thought we’d make an exception this time. The Dodge Ram TRX is the most extreme version of a bakkie ever made for public use. And the very first example just touched down in SA a matter of days ago.

Follow Double Apex on Facebook and Instagram, where we share more car content.

Order from our online store and take advantage of free delivery in South Africa on orders over R349.

Background

Most bakkie fans will know about the Ford Raptor, a pick-up built to jump dunes and tackle the most harsh off-road conditions. We’d also bet you’ve seen one of the countless Raptor wannabe recreations based on the local Ranger roaming the streets of SA. The Dodge Ram TRX was built to take on the Raptor in its home market of the US. The TRX is the latest in a line of high-performance bakkies that includes the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which was fitted with the same 8,0-litre V10 motor that was found in the original Viper. That pick-up made roughly 225 kW and was mated with a manual transmission.

Cat outta hell

Under the domed bonnet of the Dodge Ram TRX is the Stellantis Group’s 6,2-litre V8 known as the Hellcat. That same supercharged motor is fitted in several range-leading models in the company’s portfolio including the Charger, Challenger and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. In the Dodge Ram TRX the engine has been tuned to deliver 523 kW and 881 N.m of torque

The motor is mated with a high-performance ZF eight-speed transmission that is connected to all four wheels. The rear end features an electronic-locking rear differential for better traction on loose surfaces, though you just know it’s gonna be used for making donuts. Dodge enlisted the services of suspension specialists Bilstein to develop the Black Hawk e2 damper system especially for the TRX. With the massive tyres the TRX has 300 mm of ground clearance and a massive 330 mm of suspension travel

Dodge says the Ram TRX can sprint from rest to 100 km/h in a shade over 4,5 seconds with the aid of a launch control system. It’ll cover the quarter-mile in 12,9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 190 km/h thanks to those Goodyear Wrangler Territory tyres that were developed especially for this ‘super truck’. The performance figures make this the quickest and fastest pick-up on sale in the US today.

Locally converted

The Dodge Ram TRX pictured here was imported by Richard’s Bay outfit US Trucks. It is the first in the country with a few more units heading for SA. This TRX will be converted to right-hand-drive, as they don’t leave the factory that way, and homologated before being delivered to its new owner. US Trucks has converted over 350 US-sourced Ram trucks for local clients over the last 15 years.