Report: FCA to Launch 575-Horse Ram Pickup

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Ram truck unit plans to launch a production version of the concept Ram Rebel TRX off-road pickup truck later this year, Car & Driver reports.

Introduced last year at the Texas State Fair, the half-ton Ram Rebel was powered by a detuned version of FCA’s supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V-8 engine. The concept truck generated about 575 hp, down from the 707 hp the engine produces in the Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars, to accommodate the Rebel’s four-wheel-drive system.

If approved, the yet-to-be-named production Rebel would compete against Ford Motor Co.’s high-output F-150 Raptor. The current Raptor is powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 that that makes 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque. A more powerful 3.5-liter Ecoboost V-6 variant is due this year.

Based on the Ram 1500 platform, the Rebel features an array of suspension upgrades to provide additional ground clearance and greater wheel travel. Other goodies include thick skid plates, fender flares and protective cladding over the rocker panels and the wheel arches.