Tuned Ram 1500 TRX Races Bone-Stock Ford F-150 Lightning, Gives No Quarter

Ford, for example, produces the F-150 Lightning in relatively high numbers. In the first three quarters of 2023, the sole zero-emission truck in the F-Series line moved a respectable 12,260 units. The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is slowly but steadily ramping up F-150 Lightning production, resulting in more headaches for the long-awaited Cybertruck.

Although it cannot match the Tesla's 0-60 acceleration (2.6 seconds) and top speed (130 miles per hour or 209 kilometers per hour), the F-150 Lightning is no slouch. All trims – including the work-oriented Pro – feature a dual-motor setup with a stirring 775 pound-feet (1,051 Nm) of twist on tap. Upgrading to the larger of two battery choices results in slightly more power, namely 563 mechanical ponies compared to the standard 426 horsepower.

Pictured at the Pennzoil Proving Grounds, the F-150 Lightning in the video below is equipped with said battery. It's also completely stock, which cannot be said about the silver-painted Ram 1500 TRX right next to it. Hennessey Performance Engineering turned up the wick to a simply ridiculous 1,000 horsepower, which is a lot more than the factory-rated 702 ponies of the 6.2-liter supercharged V8.

Peak torque also improves by a tremendous margin, with the Texas-based tuner promising 969 pound-feet (1,314 Nm) at the crankshaft. Be that as it may, bear in mind that internal combustion engines develop maximum torque differently from electric motors.

Equipped with all-terrain rubber as opposed to street-oriented tires for the F-150 Lightning, the TRX is a bit lighter than the F-150 Lightning. Not but much, though. If you're curious which is quicker in a straight line, the answer is as obvious as can be. Hennessey raced these half-ton trucks from a dig and from a roll, with the TRX making easy work of the Lightning.

Without any mods whatsoever, the Lightning may have stood a chance against Chrysler's most powerful series-production ICE pickup truck. Unfortunately for internal combustion loyalists, both the TRX and the Hellcat engine that powers it will be gone after the 2024 model year. Their replacements are called RHO and Hurricane, and the inline-six turbo in question develops 540 horsepower at full chatter.

With 521 pound-feet (706 Nm) at its disposal, the 3.0-liter unit is most appropriate in a half-ton pickup. On the other hand, that fabulous V8 – and the 5.7-liter HEMI – will be dearly missed. Rather than blaming Chrysler for dropping the HEMI engine family in favor of a force-fed sixer, the pitchforks should be pointed at the legislators who called for more efficient vehicles under the CAFE program.

Similar to Tesla and the Ford Motor Company, FCA US LLC is readying an electric truck of its own. The Ram 1500 REV is due for the 2025 model year with 654 horsepower and 620 pound-feet (841 Nm) of torque. Those who can't shake off range anxiety are presented with the Ramcharger, whose high-voltage battery pack can be charged in two ways: by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 up front or at a charging station.