Ram Trucks has been eyeing the success of the Ford Raptor, and with the Rebel TRX concept, they look to be reaching for a piece of the pie. The TRX gets beefed-up for serious desert running, but most important is what Ram calls a supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 making 575 hp. Or what others may call a slightly detuned Hellcat.
The truck is revised from the ground up to help it, as head of Ram Mike Manley put it, "devour the roughest terrain at more than 100 miles per hour." What does that entail? Well, for starters there are 37-inch tall tires on bead lock rims, 330 mm of wheel travel at all four corners (40-percent more than standard Ram 1500), and wheel wells that have been punched out to accommodate a 152 mm wider track width. There are custom front cv joints with relocated spindles, and an electric locking differential with thicker axle shafts in the rear. Twin exhausts exit from side-pipe finishers in the full-length rock rails.
Stopping those massive tires and wheels is no easy chore, so braking is handled by six-piston Baer brakes front and rear. Up front are massive 15-inch rotors, with 14-inch out back.
To keep the driver and passengers in place on rough terrain, the suede and mesh accented seats get six-point harnesses and massive bolsters. There are some other unique touches inside, like a special gear shifter. The door handles have been replaced with nylon straps bearing a "release" embroidery, and the floor is rubberized instead of carpeted to help make cleaning sand out easier.
Other touches include a tool pack on the dash, a pair of spare tires in the bed, and a massive sports bar with LED lights perched over the cab. Inside, the rear-view mirror is a camera to help record sand-dune adventures. The traction control has been updated with off-road and Baja modes.
Why 575 hp instead of the Hellcat's full 707? Ram hasn't said, but it's likely related to how much power the transfer case can handle. Is Ram planning to produce this Rebel TRX concept? They also haven't said. But it does look more production ready than many concepts, so here's hoping.
