Ram Trucks is currently in a precarious position because one of its main rivals has quietly stripped the full-size high-performance pickup truck crown away from its mighty 1500 TRX model.
Interestingly, Ram probably had that coming a long way. After all, they played like landlords of the dominion with the 2023 Ram TRX starting at $85,700 with nine models to build and the 2024 model year costing more than $10k more at a starting MSRP of $95,735. To add insult to injury, this is also the final model year for the 702-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8-powered monster because the refreshed 2025 lineup no longer includes the TRX.
Speaking of the 1500 series, Ram brought out the complete overhaul of the family with the 3.6-liter V6 eTorque, the only one not getting the axe. Aside from that base powertrain, there are no more Hemi V8 options, and instead, Ram will premiere the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six turbo mill with standard and high output versions – 420 or 540 horsepower. Also, there's a new Ram 1500 Ramcharger in town with the 3.6-liter V6 giving juice to a power generator that refills a sizeable battery pack – this range-extender model has no less than 663 horsepower on tap.
So, what comes next for the Ram Trucks brand? Well, if you ask the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, then it's time to refresh the Ram 2500 and 3500 HD series, as well. At least that is according to the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube, who have imagined the CGI looks of the unannounced 2025 or 2026 Ram HD models with facelifts. Coming after a lengthy hiatus away from CGI duties, the resident pixel master now has a strong show with the Ram Heavy Duty trucks.
It's not hard, after all. Taking directions from the updated 1500 lineup, the 2500 and 3500 HD would feature mild upgrades like new headlight styling and slightly altered bumpers. More importantly, the host believes they will follow suit and adopt the Hurricane mills plus the 663-hp plug-in EV with range extender from the 1500 series. On the other hand, fans would love to see an upgraded transmission for the Cummings diesel and eventually make the high-output version the standard engine across the board.
As for the battle for supremacy in the full-size pickup truck segment, Ford is looking great, as always – they have the all-new fifth-generation Super Duty out and about from Kentucky Truck Assembly and Ohio Assembly, plus the 2024 F-150 is preparing to arrive at nationwide dealerships, including with that upgraded 720-hp Ford F-150 Raptor R. It seems that GM is playing the waiting game to see what Ford and Ram are doing for the 2024 and 2025 model years – or maybe they're just plagued with so many Silverado EV and Sierra EV problems they don't have time to think about the regular versions anymore.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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