Subtle? Not in the least. The unveiling videos are a cross between the introduction of a Bond film and the fever dream of a desert rat. FCA’s pre-introduction video was a mashup of clips from the Jurassic Park movies, showing velociraptors being munched on by a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The only way to be any more brash would involve an act that is not worthy of being printed…you can use your imagination there. But in the world of über-macho pickup trucks, you have to be brash and aggressive to capture the imagination of the buyer, and for years, the Ford Raptor has been the de facto leader. The Raptor works. We rode in pre-production ones at SEMA back in 2010 as Ford drivers kicked them around. We saw one driver jump one into a concrete bastion, back up, and keep going like they had never crashed. Big power, brutal suspension, and looks that made brodozer-types go weak in the knees. Even when the Raptor dropped the V8 for the turbo V6, buyers snapped them up. What the hell is going to trump a decade of lead time and a strong fan base?

Two words: Hellcat truck.

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX has arrived. 702 horsepower, 650 ft/lbs of torque. 4.5 second 0-60 MPH time, 10.5 seconds to 110 miles per hour, a 12.9@108 MPH quarter-mile time, and a speed limited to 118 miles per hour. It isn’t just a Ram with a lift kit and a monster engine, though. Here’s the list of notes from the press release. Keep in mind…this isn’t the full release, just the notes:

• High-torque-capacity TorqueFlite 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission delivers quick, crisp gear changes during both normal and performance driving conditions
• New, innovative dual-path air induction system delivers maximum output and feeds a steady supply of cool, clean air to the engine through the front grille and functional hood scoop
• Largest air filter in the segment uses dual filter elements and is designed for extreme, dusty environments with four times the dust trapping capacity when compared to the closest competitor
• Full-time active transfer case features upgraded internals for improved strength, durability
• All-new, unique suspension system with active damping, inspired by desert off-road racers, incorporates forged aluminum front upper and lower control arms with special attention to caster and camber angles during suspension cycling
• New independent front suspension system with active damping uses high-strength aluminum to maintain overall strength and durability
• TRX uses a Dana 60 solid rear axle with a 3.55 ratio featuring full-floating hubs and axle-hop damper for improved traction and axle control on rough surfaces. An electronic locking rear differential is standard for increased performance off-road
• Designed exclusively for TRX, new front and rear 2.5-inch Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks provide fast reaction time, unbeatable damping and improved heat dissipation for traversing harsh terrain at speeds greater than 100 mph
• Five-link coil suspension is tuned to deliver the best combination of ride, handling and comfort no matter the road surface
• Wheel travel is greater than 13 inches at all four corners, an increase of more than 40 percent compared to the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup
• All-new face of Ram includes modern Ram’s head logo and “R-A-M” badge with flow-through lettering
• Functional hood scoop is responsible for 50 percent of air entering the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 engine while the other 50 percent enters through the grille
• New integrated composite fender flares add 8 inches of body width and feature all-new steel box outers, creating a striking “hourglass” body
• New LED clearance lamps are cleverly integrated into the hood scoop and front bumper flares, amplifying the new aesthetic of the truck
• Full LED Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) includes twin bi-functional projector headlamps, fog lamps and taillamps with up to 15 degrees of direction control with steering input
• Most spacious interior in the segment offers new, authentic premium materials, colors and textures, including hand-wrapped leather instrument panels for unexpected luxury throughout
• All-new 2021 Ram TRX features three interior options, including premium cloth and vinyl, premium wrapped leather and suede, or premium wrapped leather and suede with available red and carbon fiber accents
• New flat-bottom steering wheel offers enhanced hand grips wrapped in leather with optional suede and carbon fiber accents. New aluminum paddle shifters stretch above and below the steering wheel spokes
• Reimagined center console with maximum storage includes a new performance-oriented floor shifter, wireless charging dock and five USBs, including Type A and C ports
• Custom specifications plate on the console lid lists which engine is under the hood, the type of supercharger Ram TRX uses, boost output, horsepower and the vehicle-specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Ram TRX-specific transfer case switches are integrated into the dashboard along with Drive Mode selector and Launch Control
• Uconnect 4C NAV 12-inch touchscreen is standard equipment and includes SiriusXM 360L with Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora, which offers a custom listening experience through a 900-watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• All-new Head-up Display unit makes its FCA vehicle debut and can show up to five different content areas at once
• TRX touts the first FCA application of Drive Modes and Off-Road Pages with the Uconnect 4C NAV 12-inch touchscreen
• New Baja drive mode calibrates four-wheel-drive and steering systems, stability control, paddle shifters and suspension for ultimate desert performance, delivering maximum capability on undulating, loose surfaces
• Available digital rearview mirror replaces the traditional rearview mirror with a 9.2-inch-wide LCD monitor
• Trailer Reverse Steer Control is an available standalone option on Ram TRX and uses a dial to point the trailer in the desired direction while the system controls the steering wheel
• More than 100 active and passive safety and security features, including ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and six air bags. Available features include Blind-spot Monitoring, adaptive cruise control, Ready Alert Braking and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, available
• All-new 18-by-9-inch aluminum wheels are available in both standard and a beadlock-capable option
• Goodyear Wrangler Territory 325/65/R18 All-Terrain 35-inch tires, developed exclusively for Ram TRX, achieve unmatched levels of wear resistance, traction and reduced road noise
• Ram TRX offers the largest front brakes in the segment at 15 inches
• Ram TRX has a maximum payload of 1,310 pounds and maximum trailer tow of 8,100 pounds
• Ram TRX features a 2-inch ride height increase over Ram 1500, enabling 11.8 inches of ground clearance and capability of up to 32 inches of water fording
• All-new 2021 Ram TRX underwent rigorous testing in extreme environments across the continental United States to handle the most punishing conditions with extreme confidence, capability and durability

Damn. Well, we know that GM is pissed off at Ram, thanks to their “convert an owner” payout setup promotion. I’m willing to bet that there hasn’t been this much rage at Ford ever since Enzo Ferrari insinuated that Henry Ford II wasn’t the man his grandfather was.