RAM’s Reign of Speed: A Look at the Fastest Trucks
While pickup truck shoppers often focus on payload and towing capacity, a different kind of performance has been gaining traction: speed. The early ’90s saw the emergence of trucks like the 1991 GMC Syclone, a track-focused machine that hinted at the potential for high-performance pickups. Since then, models like the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning and Raptor, as well as the Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged have further fueled this segment.
RAM, however, has arguably been at the forefront of the muscle-truck movement. Several of their recent models boast impressive 0 to 60 mph acceleration times, often under five seconds. RAM, which spun off from Dodge in 2009, initially seemed content to let Ford’s Raptor dominate the off-road performance market. However, RAM unleashed the TRX in 2020, briefly claiming the title of the most powerful production truck. Even as new models have exchanged the legendary HEMI V8 for the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-6, RAM remains at the forefront of performance and innovation. Here’s a look at some of the quickest RAM trucks in recent years:
2015 RAM 1500 R/T HEMI
In the early 2000s, Dodge made waves by dropping a Viper V-10 engine into a RAM truck, creating the SRT10. By 2015, RAM had nearly matched the SRT10’s acceleration with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, with improved control and handling. The RAM 1500 R/T HEMI produced 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and was offered exclusively in rear-wheel drive.
This model could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 5.4 seconds, completing a quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at almost 100 mph. Two minor drawbacks were the absence of a manual transmission, like that found in the SRT10, and a governor that limited the top speed to 106 mph. While not exactly fuel-efficient, the RAM 1500 R/T HEMI managed around 15 miles per gallon, which was respectable considering its weight of over 5,000 pounds.
2021 RAM 1500 TRX
RAM enthusiasts had long pondered the possibilities of putting the Dodge Hellcat engine in a truck. The answer arrived in the form of the 2021 RAM 1500 TRX, equipped with a monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged V8.
Despite its off-road focus, the TRX achieved a 0 to 60 mph time of just 4.1 seconds. Some tests, such as those by Car and Driver, even clocked faster times, as low as 3.7 seconds when using launch control on paved surfaces.
With 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, the TRX completed the quarter mile in a blistering 12.3 seconds at 110 mph. This truck, weighing over 6,800 pounds, offered better performance than some sports cars that are a fraction of its weight. Although it has since been discontinued, the RAM TRX remains a legend, and its influence can still be felt in the truck world.
2025 RAM 1500 4×4 Laramie
At the core of the new RAM’s trim selections is the Laramie. This model features a forced induction inline-6 powertrain. Stellantis’ twin-turbo I-6 engine, known as the Hurricane, lives up to its name, delivering impressive performance. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo in the 4×4 Laramie delivers 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, besting the output of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 from earlier models. While its sound lacks the distinctive rumble of a HEMI V8, its performance is notable.
The Laramie produces a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.0 seconds flat and completes the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds at just over 98 MPH, making it exceptionally quick for a truck. Some reviews did note that this truck didn’t handle as well as some other models, and might require tweaking for best track results.
2025 RAM 1500 RHO
For those who miss the TRX and want a return to its performance, RAM debuted the RHO, which has some optimistic fans hopeful. It comes equipped with a high-output version of the Hurricane engine. This means the 3.0-liter twin-turbo in RAM’s new backcountry truck produces 540 horsepower and 521 pound feet of torque, allowing the RHO to go from 0 to 60 MPH in an estimated 4.5 seconds, completing a quarter mile in an estimated 13.2 seconds.
These performance figures are impressive, especially since it is the successor to the brawny TRX. Even though the RHO may not quite match the raw power of its predecessor, it comes close and manages to weigh about 300 pounds less while also offering better fuel economy. The RHO, on the other hand, gets an estimated combined 15 miles to the gallon, a significant improvement over the supercharged Hellcat.
