Skip to main content

Ram is Going after Ford with a Dino-Truck of Its Own: Meet the Dodge Rebel TRX

dodge ram rebel trx 2016 concept
2016 Ram Rebel TRX Concept

The off-road vehicle scene is booming. Ford’s second-generation Raptor is flying off dealer lots, Jeep is basically bankrolling its parent company (FCA), and GM keeps adding off-road trims to its various pickup lines.

It comes as no surprise, then, that Ram wants in on the action. Though the truck-maker currently offers a light-duty off-road version of its Ram 1500 pickup, the Rebel, there’s plenty of room for improvement. During FCA’s five-year plan presentation this week, Ram boss Mike Manley confirmed a more aggressive pickup is coming soon.

The Rebel TRX (or “T-Rex”) will be based on the all-new Ram 1500 and will go head-to-head with Ford’s Raptor. Inspired by the Rebel TRX Concept that debuted in 2016, the production model will gain extra skid plates, massive knobby off-road tires, auxiliary lighting, and a beefier suspension setup. Specific details are light, but we anticipate the TRX will use a version of the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 found in the Hellcat and Trackhawk, which means upwards of 700 horsepower. The Raptor and its 450-hp twin-turbocharged V6 is starting to sound a little outclassed.

We’ve had a go in both the standard Ram Rebel and the Ford Raptor, taking each truck on its own adventure. While it was clear the Raptor was more capable, we loved the Rebel’s ride quality and creature comforts. As long as the new Rebel TRX retains its docile driving dynamics in its pursuit of off-road prowess, we’ll be happy.

Given the extensive modifications in store for the TRX, don’t expect it to be cheap. Based on other range-topping FCA products, the starting figure could be in the $60-70K range. The Ram Rebel, by comparison, starts at just $46,340 and Ford’s Raptor kicks off at $49,520. FCA hasn’t announced when the truck will go on sale, but 2019 seems like a good guess. After all, Ram doesn’t want to miss this off-road craze.

During the same five-year presentation, FCA’s top brass also confirmed a 600-horsepower hybrid Alfa Romeo sedan, all-electric Maserati sports car, and several three-row Jeeps. Notably absent was any future Chrysler product, suggesting FCA might be readying to dump the brand altogether.

If this bit of news doesn’t grease your gears, check out the top five revelations from this year’s Detroit Motor Show.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Buyer beware: The least reliable cars you can buy in 2024
Know the car reliability ratings of these bad buys
Front end angle of 2021 Ford F-150 parked on a dirt trail in front of a red barn and trees.

According to statistics, car sales grew by about 75.3 million globally in 2023, up from the estimated 67.3 million units sold in 2022. Evidently, buying a car is a big purchase, like buying a home, that many people want to achieve during their lifetime. 

Unfortunately, much like houses, cars have become increasingly more expensive in recent years. This is why people want to ensure they are buying a reliable car that isn't going to break down on them a few months to years down the line. The bottom line is drivers want reliability now more than ever. 

Read more
How many teams are there in Formula 1 in 2024?
!0 teams and 20 drivers compete for the World Championship,
Aston Martin Formula 1 race car driving directly toward the camera.

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix winner's stage Nate Swanner / DTMG

In the current FIA Formula 1 season, ten teams each field two drivers to vie for the highest Grand Prix World Championship points among all competitors. The 2024 F1 schedule has 24 Grand Prix racing events, including six that include a shorter F1 Sprint race.
Why F1 teams matter in the sport

Read more
What engines do Formula 1 cars use?
F1 engines will be carbon neutral starting in 2026
Lewis Hamilton (44) driving for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team during The Australian Formula One Grand Prix Race on April 02, 2023, at The Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Albert Park, Australia.

F1 race cars routinely exceed 200 miles per hour during Grand Prix races, which begs the question, "What engines do Formula 1 cars use?" If you expect to hear that F1 race cars use exotic V16 or V12 engines, you may be surprised to learn that they don't even run with V8s. All F1 race cars have a power unit comprising a 1.6-liter V6 hybrid internal combustion engine (ICE) with two on-board electrical energy recovery units. Like almost everything in Formula 1, the engines teams can use in their race cars are strictly defined by the FIA F1 Rules and Regulations.
Why Formula 1 car engines matter

Formula 1 is considered the pinnacle of elite motorsports, which puts the organization in a powerful position to influence other competitive automotive groups. Also, in 2019, F1 committed to being carbon-net-zero by 2030. F1 race cars currently have hybrid gas and electric power units, but starting in 2026, all F1 cars will run on biofuel, a renewable energy source with significantly lower carbon emissions than petroleum-based fuels.
What engines do Formula 1 cars use today?

Read more