Next year’s TRX performance version of a popular full-sized pickup seems set to be a last chance opportunity for the renowned supercharged 6.7-litre.

THE grand slam ‘super’ RAM en route to New Zealand next year seems likely to present the final chance to encounter the world’s most powerful mass-produced V8 engine – and perhaps not for too long.

The TRX version of the RAM 1500 which Kiwis are now already signing up for even though the price has to be set appears to the final new right-hand drive product in the Stellantis portfolio set to avail the make’s supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi ‘Hellcat’ V8.

Production of the engine ceases in 2023 according to Stellantis, the parent of the Dodge and Jeep brands that are best known for using a powerplant that creates an astonishing output of 523kW and 881Nm is this probable last-chance New Zealand-new application.

The mill has fitted to a Jeep product sold new here as well as in Dodge 'Hellcat' cars only officially sold in North America but brought in as private imports.

Ateco, which represents those brands as well as RAM, has so far not responded to questions about the engine’s current availability. 

Stellantis says it will be dropped as it prepares its wide family of brands for an all-electric future.

Independent channels here have said that supply of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk that has run the Hellcat in 522kW/868Nm tune for the past couple of years is now exhausted, this synching into preparation for an entirely new Grand Cherokee next year.

The Trackhawk has stood as the most powerful SUV sold in NZ.

The TRX, which will start delivery very soon and seems set to establish the same degree of credibility within production pick-up circles as the Jeep has within its own sphere, is set to be the final throw of the dice, that source believes.

Even though the TRX is bluff, massive and weighs 2.7 tonnes, Ram claims it’ll still hammer out the 0-100kmh dash in 4.5 seconds and the quarter mile (400m) run in 12.9 seconds at 174kmh. Top speed is rated at 189kmh.

 Talk of the TRX being in the mix cemented as the RAM’s NZ-market factory-sanctioned production process – which involves re-engineering of US-fresh vehocles from left to right hand-drive in Melbourne - transitioned from the DS generation model to the latest ‘DT series.

DS availability has continued, in a lower price slot than DT, which delivers significant technical advancements over its forebear.

TRX is not only the punchiest RAM ever offered here but is expected to be the priciest.

Presently the DT line kicks off at $132,990 for a Laramie Crewcab 1500 with the 5.7-litre petrol V8 and tops out at $184,990 (Crewcab 3500 running the 6.7 litre diesel).