The Ram 1500 TRX is dead, long live the RHO, a turbo-six successor with about 25 percent less power, but a lower weight and price.
The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO – the turbocharged six-cylinder indirect replacement for the supercharged Ram 1500 TRX V8 performance truck – has been unveiled in the US, but plans for Australia have yet to be revealed.
The movement of the V8 engine through the Ram 1500 The ‘DT’ range in the US has claimed the life of the TRX, one of the most powerful pick-ups in the world and one of the last production applications of the 6.2-litre, 523-litre supercharged ‘Hellcat’ V8. kW.
His successor is RAM 1500 RHO, which effectively offers the same off-road capability (and rugged looks) as the TRX but with a less powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine.
Australian details are yet to be announced, however the RHO name has been registered here. Only 30 examples of the regular TRX remain locally, and it is understood that a final edition is imminent.
Contrary to pre-launch suggestions, the RHO could receive a power boost, using the same 403 kW and 736 Nm of power from the six-cylinder engine as the premium variants in the 2025 Ram 1500 range.
It’s less than the 523kW and 881Nm of the TRX’s 6.2-litre supercharged V8, although still more than the 336kW/691Nm of a Ford F-150 Raptor, and drives all four wheels through the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the TRX.
Despite the significant power outage, Ram claims a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 4.6 seconds (just 0.1 second slower) and a drag strip time of 13. 1 second quarter mile (402 m) at 169 km/h, compared to claims. of 12.9 seconds and 174 km/h for the TRX.
However, the American magazine Car and driver has tested a TRX from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a quarter mile in 12.3 seconds, suggesting that Ram’s original claims for the V8 truck were conservative.
The RHO’s claimed top speed of 190 km/h is unchanged from that of the TRX, probably a restriction from the thick all-terrain tires.
Ram claims the RHO’s lighter engine shaves 82kg off the front axle, although the total weight savings is only 68kg as mass has been added elsewhere in the truck.
The American automaker hasn’t specified what RHO stands for, although the project’s internal codename is said to be “rhino,” and there’s an image of a rhino next to the truck’s VIN number on a plate affixed to the front. center console armrest.
It will take a Ram truck fan to spot the differences between the TRX and RHO, as they share most of their exterior design, suspension, tires and wheels.
The front grille is taller to match the wider facelifted Ram 1500 range, the headlights are slimmer, the taillight signatures are new, and the RHO badges and decals replace the TRX versions, but otherwise the two trucks look almost identical.
Under the skin, the TRX’s adaptive Bilstein shock absorbers remain, as do the aluminum front upper and lower suspension control arms and 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels.
Standard is a beefed-up BorgWarner 48-13 full-time 4WD transfer case with low-range gears, a Dana 60 rear axle, electronically controlled rear differential, and, new for the RHO, 25mm more rear axle travel thanks to points. revised chassis mounting brackets.
There is also a sports exhaust system with dual outlets and a high-flow induction system with cleanable filters to prevent the engine from sucking in unwanted debris and particles.
Ram claims an approach angle of 31 degrees, a ramp angle of 22 degrees, a departure angle of 25 degrees, a water fording depth of 813 mm, and ground clearance of up to 300 mm.
Inside, the RHO inherits the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12- or 14.5-inch central infotainment touchscreens, and optional 10.3-inch front passenger displays from the rest of the Ram lineup. 1500 2025.
Available features include heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, head-up display, and a suite of advanced safety technology that includes adaptive cruise control and lane centering assist.
The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO is now available to order in the US, where it’s priced at $71,990 (AU$110,500), around $26,000 (AU$40,000), or 26 per cent less than the TRX’s $98,335 (AU$151,000).
Applying the same savings in Australia, it would be priced at around $165,000 plus on-road costs locally, compared to $224,950 plus on-road costs for its V8 predecessor.
Images via Engine1.
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