Why not build a Ram 1500 Hellcat? This is a great question, and one that Harry V. recently sent to ask@tfltruck.com. Harry writes:
Will Ram revive the Ram SRT-10 (or Hellcat) for the next generation 2019 Ram 1500 Sport? Please let me know your thoughts.
It seems like a no-brainer for Ram to take the supercharged 6.2L HEMI Hellcat V8 and stick it into the upcoming new 2019 Ram 1500 chassis. Naturally, it’s not that simple.
First, Ram has a big task of launching the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 in the first place. The new truck is being unveiled during the media days on January 15th, 2018 at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). Any manufacturer does not want reveal all possibilities and versions of a new vehicle all at once. If Ram is preparing a high-dollar high-powered version of the new truck, they are unlikely to show it right off the bat. The mainstream trucks will come first.
Second, big horsepower sport trucks such as the SRT-10 and the Ford Lighting are not perceived as popular. Thanks to the Ford Raptor, high performance off-road trucks are the latest craze. This is why Ram showed the Rebel TRX Concept truck last year. The TRX off-road truck had a Hellcat-like HEMI V8, but it was tuned to 575 horsepower (not 707 hp), according to Ram.
Personally, my guess is that we will see another TRX-like concept in about 12 month, with a possible production version coming closer to 2020. There is no official confirmation of this.
This is also tied in to another thought. I am guessing that Ford will increase power, performance, and efficiency of the 2020 Ford Raptor with a gas-electric hybrid. This unrelated to the 2019 Ford Raptor 7.0L V8 rumors. In the case that a Ford Raptor offers over 500 hp with a 7.0L V8 or a hybrid, the Ram TRX would offer great competition.
I am guessing – we will have to wait at least another year for this to shake out.
