2022 Ram 1500 TRX: ‘Real deal’ right-hand-drive gets Australian compliance – UPDATE

UPDATE 7 March 2021: The first US factory-backed right-hand-drive example of a 2022 Ram 1500 TRX – the world’s fastest and most powerful pick-up – has taken another significant step closer to Australian showrooms.

New documents filed on the Federal Government's vehicle regulations website show the Ram 1500 TRX has been certified for sale and granted Australian Design Rule compliance via the official factory-backed Ram-appointed distributor in Australia: Ateco and American Special Vehicles.

The distinction is made because a small number of examples of the Ram TRX were imported and converted by independent workshops without ties to – or the backing of – Ram Trucks USA or Ram Trucks Australia.

It means the examples that have just been certified will meet US factory standards after being converted locally by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, the former parent company of Holden Special Vehicles.

Drive understands the first examples of the official factory-backed TRX should be in Ram Trucks Australia showrooms within the next few months. Price is yet to be announced.

Original story from 10 November 2021 follows:

The first US factory-backed right-hand-drive example of a 2022 Ram 1500 TRX – the world’s fastest and most powerful pick-up – has been caught on camera on Australian roads.

As reported by Drive earlier this week, Ram Trucks Australia is full speed ahead with plans to introduce the 2022 Ram 1500 TRX in local showrooms in the first half of next year.

Powered by an epic supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 (523kW/881Nm) and matched to an eight-speed auto, Ram claims the TRX does the 0-60mph (97km/h) dash in 4.5 seconds and the quarter mile (402m) run in 12.9 seconds at 108mph (174km/h). 

Now we have proof local engineering work on the US factory-backed program has passed a major milestone.

The first right-hand-drive example by official importer Ram Trucks Australia is already on the road.

Photos taken this week near the Walkinshaw Automotive Group facility in Melbourne – where Ram Trucks Australia vehicles are remanufactured – show the steering wheel is already on the right side of the vehicle for our roads.

While independent converters shortcut key elements of the right-hand-drive process – and lack the financial resources to access original equipment suppliers – the Ram 1500 TRX sold by Ram Trucks Australia (the only local distributor endorsed by the US factory) must meet the manufacturer’s safety and quality standards, an engineering process which takes time.

Vehicles remanufactured to right-hand-drive by Ram Trucks Australia are equipped with more than 500 specially-engineered components.

Unlike independent converters, engineering work by Ram Trucks Australia is validated by local crash lab tests of a completed vehicle.

Drive understands Ram Trucks Australia has had a couple of examples of the TRX here since the start of this year for preliminary engineering work.

However, the right-hand-drive conversion to factory standards – which independent importers and converters are not obliged to meet – requires significant engineering resources.

As these exclusive photos show, Ram Trucks Australia has already completed the first right-hand-drive test vehicle.

Given the timeline, this likely means Ram Trucks Australia is preparing to ramp-up production in readiness for local showroom deliveries in the first half of next year.

Prices are yet to be set – and early estimates could be impacted by currency fluctuations – however dealer sources say the factory-backed TRX will cost somewhere in the region of $180,000 to $220,000, depending on options.

A number of Ram dealers contacted by Drive say they have already started accepting customer deposits, pending price and a test drive.

It is believed almost the entire first batch of 200 to 250 examples of the TRX being imported by Ram Trucks Australia are spoken for, or have “reserved” stickers on them.

Ram Trucks Australia declined to comment on timing, pricing, or exact plans for the arrival of the US factory-backed Ram 1500 TRX. However, judging by these photos, it is not far away from local showrooms.