As electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan render 0-60 and quarter-mile times for internal combustion cars something of a joke, Stellantis (née Fiat-Chrysler) seems intent on seeing out massively powerful gas burners in a big way. Though Dodge may inaugurate a new era of electrified muscle cars soon, for now, absurd projects like the Hellcat-powered Ram 1500 TRX continue to hit the market joining longtime supercharged V8 offerings like the Challenger and Charger (not to mention the Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk). But how does the TRX stand up to its coupe sibling, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat? Well, the YouTube channel Sam CarLegion recently staged a series of drag and rolling races to find out.
Supercharged V8 In A Truck And A Coupe
Both vehicles step up to the challenge in stock form, though the TRX may sport an aftermarket exhaust system. But the biggest question on the day comes in the form of weather woes, since a wet track will naturally benefit the TRX with its full-time four-wheel-drive system and knobby tires. Of course, putting 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque to the ground in a 6,350-pound pickup always remains a challenge, but in these races, the TRX fares well in terms of traction.
Transmission Settings And Traction Issues
The weather gets severe enough that the video resorts to mostly rolling races, in the hopes that the rear-wheel-drive Challenger Hellcat can stand a chance. With almost the same specs on paper, including power ratings and the eight-speed automatic, plus selecting the same drive modes for each vehicle in each race, the Challenger boasts almost a 2,000-pound weight advantage over the pickup truck. But traction remains key on a track with full-on puddles, so the competition definitely doesn't tilt in the coupe's favor too much.
The TRX Gets A Jump Off The Line
Turns out there's a reason most sports car, supercar, and hypercar manufacturers have increasingly turned to all-wheel-drive setups in the hopes of boosting their acceleration stats and earning headlines—in the first two races out of a dig, the TRX gets a massive jump and easily takes the win. Then, switching to a rolling race, side-angle footage from the TRX's perspective shows the Challenger's rear end fishtailing a fair amount on the slippery surfaces. If there was ever a reminder that tire choice and traction are more important than brute power, this video is it.
Sources: youtube.com and ramtrucks.com.