RAM 1500 TRX To Return In 2026 With More V8 Power

Forbes

2 days ago

Two years ago, American truck manufacturer RAM announced that its celebrated high-performance 702-horsepower V8-powered TRX pickup truck was being discontinued and replaced with a turbocharged six-cylinder model due to ever-tightening state and federal emissions mandates. But much to the delight of driving enthusiasts who still crave the performance, sound, and raw power of a supercharged V8 engine, the company has reversed directions and announced that the V8-powered Ram 1500 TRX is set for a triumphant return for the 2026 model year.
The original RAM 1500 TRX was launched in 2020 as a direct competitor to the Ford F-150 Raptor. While Ford had introduced its high-performance F-150 Raptor with a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V8 (rated at 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque), it upgraded the pickup with a stronger naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 the following year (411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque). The V8-powered Raptor was the segment benchmark.
Then, in 2017, Ford released the second-generation F-150 Raptor with a turbocharged 3.5-liter 'EcoBoost' V6 (rated at 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque). The company cited the balance of improved power, efficiency, reliability, and lower emissions. While the truck offered better performance, enthusiasts bemoaned the loss of the V8.
RAM stepped up to the plate in late 2020 with the announcement of the 1500 TRX—a V8-powered shot over Ford's bow. The new TRX offered a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, lifted right from under the hood of the company's high-performance 'Hellcat' muscle car. Boasting 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque and a rowdy exhaust note, it was an instant hit.
While its lighter aluminum-alloy construction offered better handling than the steel and composite-paneled RAM, the V6-powered Ford Raptor was outgunned—the TRX launched from 0-60 mph in about 3.7 seconds, while the Raptor took a leisurely 5.2 seconds. The RAM was the only option for those seeking a V8-powered supertruck.
Ford didn't take it sitting down—they answered with the V8-powered F-150 Raptor R for the 2023 model year. Under its hood was a burly supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine producing 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. In acceleration tests, it was marginally quicker than the TRX. And it only improved when Ford bumped power to 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque for more recent model years. Ford had regained the crown.
RAM's reply—a hand forced by emissions mandates—was to drop the V8-powered TRX and fit the chassis with a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter 'Hurricane' inline-6 (rated at 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque). The six-cylinder truck was renamed the 1500 RHO. Performance was only marginally affected, but the lack of a V8 had altered the vehicle's character.
Now there is official confirmation that RAM is bringing back the 1500 TRX for 2026. And while the company hasn't released engine specifications, industry experts expect the return of the supercharged 6.2-liter 'HEMI' V8, but with more power. Best guesses say that RAM will drop the 'Redeye' variant of the engine under the hood of the TRX. With a larger supercharger (bumped from 2.4 liters to 2.7 liters), boost increases from 11.6 to 14.5 psi—the result is 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque (unique intakes and exhaust packaging for the TRX may reduce those numbers slightly). If that's the case, model year 2026 looks like another change of command—with RAM once again taking back the podium.
The return of the V8-powered RAM 1500 TRX is excellent news for driving enthusiasts, truck fans, and the dealers. 'After flirting with the idea of killing all of its HEMI-powered trucks, RAM has revived the famous V8-powered TRX,' said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. 'The return of the standard V8-powered pickups immediately filled customer order banks. Today, with the top-dog TRX performance model also set to return, I expect those order banks to continue brimming.'