14 minute read
NEWS
R A M 150 0 TR X COM ING TO AU STR A LI A
Supercharged 6.2-litre V8, 8-speed auto and bags of st yle come with a price tag of almost $200,000.
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Th e f u l l - s i z e p i c k u p t r u c k w a r s i n A u s t r a l i a a r e h e a t i n g u p , w i t h Fo r d’s a n n o u n c e m e n t i n Ma r c h t h a t t h e y w o u l d b e b r i n g i n g t h e F - 1 5 0 i n a s a f a c t o r y- b a c k e d R H D m o d e l c o u n t e r e d i n Ju n e b y R A M Tr u c k s A u s t r a l i a a n n o u n c i n g t h e 1 5 0 0 T R X i s c o m i n g t o t h e A u s s i e m a r k e t .
In terms of size, power and presence, the TRX outshines Ford’s Ranger Raptor, with RAM Trucks Australia claiming it’s the fastest, most powerful mass-produced truck in the world.
“The TRX sets new benchmarks for extreme performance trucks and confirms the Australian market as a true success story for RAM Trucks,” said Neville Crichton, Chairman of RAM Trucks Australia’s parent company, the Ateco Group. SUPER POWER
Key to the RAM TRX’s performance credentials is its 6.2-litre HEMI V8 engine, which is fitted with a supercharger as standard. This ups the already impressive 232kW/326Nm performance credentials of the naturally aspirated 5.7-litre HEMI used in other RAM 1500 models to new maximums of 523kW at 6,100rpm and 882Nm at 4,800rpm.
Top speed is 190km/h and the listed 0-100km/h time is 4.5 seconds, with launch control as standard.
The high-performance V8 is matched to a Torqueflite eight-speed automatic (the only transmission offered) and drives all four wheels through a four-wheel drive system with an active 2-speed transfer case with strengthened internals.
As the TRX is designed with off-road action in mind, induction to the V8 is split evenly across the grille and a scoop on the bonnet. The latter features a special one-way valve that prevents water being ingested into the engine, while the largest air filter in this class features dual elements that claim to trap four times as much dust as its closest competitor – ideal for high-speed work in deserts and other dry, dusty environments.
STRONG BONES
Like the rest of the RAM range, the RAM TRX is of body-on-frame construction, but the performance focus of this model has seen substantial changes made, starting with the frame itself, which is made of thicker high-strength steel, with fully boxed side rails.
Protecting the engine and all the underbody componentry are no less than five skid plates, covering the lower front fascia, front axle, transmission pan, transfer case and fuel tank.
An independent front end remains, but the componentry is all new, while at the rear, a Dana 60 solid axle has been fitted as part of a five-link system, with a 3.55 diff ratio and an electronic locker as standard, as well as an axle hop damper.
Shock absorbers front and rear are Bilstein Black Hawk e2 units that have been tuned exclusively for the TRX and are also adaptive, delivering what’s claimed to be fast reaction time, unbeatable damping and improved heat dissipation. Suspension travel is significantly greater than that of a regular RAM 1500, with up to 330mm at the rear alone.
The wheel and tyre package is made up of 18-inch alloys with 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory All-Terrain tyres that were designed exclusively for the TRX. This combination has required the front axle to be moved 20mm forward.
Sitting 50mm higher than other RAM 1500 models, the TRX features 295mm of ground clearance and a fording depth of 812mm. Approach angle is 30.2 degrees, departure angle 23.5 degrees and breakover angle 21.9 degrees.
As this model’s focus is on off-road performance, rather than hauling and carrying, payload capacity for the 1.71 x 1.68 metre (LxW ) tub is 767kg and towing capacity is 3,500kg - 1,000kg less than other RAM 1500 models.
WIDEBODY STYLE
In terms of its appearance, the most obvious difference between the existing RAM 1500 crew cab models and the new TRX is its broad, muscular stance. That’s due to the TRX being 230mm wider to accommodate the 152mm increase in track front and rear.
With the front guards and rear quarter panels already pumped up, the wheelarch flares actually look subtle compared to some alternatives.
The grille treatment, with open ‘R-A-M’ letters, is exclusive to the TRX, as are the bonnet, bumpers and skid plates. Those bumpers are blacked out, with tow hooks front and rear, while the rear bumper also features scalloped cut-outs for the dual exhaust exits.
RAM identification is repeated on the tailgate, along with 4x4 and TRX badging, while badging on the bonnet identifies the 6.2 supercharged V8 underneath, with TRX decals on the bonnet and rear quarters.
LED lighting is standard front and rear, but the lights in the bonnet scoop that feature on US market images of the RAM TRX have not been highlighted on the local market images, suggesting they may not be road legal here.
Inside, the focus is on premium materials and a luxury look, applying the ‘TR2 Equipment Group’ based on the RAM 1500 Limited. As part of an all-black finish, leather seats, a leather-trimmed instrument panel, full carpeting and accents in suede and carbon fibre are standard, while all five seats are heated and ventilated.
A flat-bottom steering wheel with p paddle shifters, a performance floor shifter (both new to RAM), dash-mounted drive mode selector and transfer case switches, webbing loops on the front seatbacks to hang gear, premium 900-watt Harman Kardon audio system with 19 speakers and an ID plaque on the centre console bin also feature in the cabin.
A 12-inch touchscreen for the Uconnect 5C Nav system sits in portrait format and can display two functions at once, while the 7-inch instrument screen is flanked by analogue gauges. For off-road adventures, the Drive Modes (Normal, Wet/Snow, Offroad and Baja) and Off-road Performance Pages (that show ride height, transfer case position, and the truck’s pitch and roll) are viewable on the main 12-inch screen – a RAM first.
A final, cheeky touch is an image of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and much smaller Raptor dinosaur. Seen in the centre console storage bin and echoed under the bonnet, this suggests the TRX is the apex predator over the F-150 Raptor.
TECH GALORE
Aside from the aforementioned launch control and drive modes, the driver assistance and safety tech on the TRX includes Jump Detection that acts to limit over-revving when the TRX is airborne.
Along with five dynamic modes (Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow and Custom) that adjust things like the suspension, steering response, transmission shifting and fourwheel drive distribution, there are three additional dynamic off-road modes (Mud/ Sand, Rock and Baja) tuned to suit more extreme environments.
A 360-degree camera is supplemented with a forward-facing off-road camera to make navigating around obstacles on rough trails easier.
Active safety and assistance features include a ParkView rear backup camera, ESC with electronic roll mitigation, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, ‘Ready Alert Braking’, forward collision w warning plus and six airbags.
Under all that black plastic is a supercharged 6.2-litre V8. a E L l p a s m w h K a f
TRX ground clearance is 295mm with fording depth at 812mm.
w m t i E s ‘
P PREMIUM OFFERING
The RAM TRX will sit at the top of the locally-available RAM Trucks range, priced at l $199,950 before ORCs, which is $50,000 more $ than the next most expensive RAM 1500 and t pricier than even the larger RAM 2500 and p 3500. 3
A panoramic sunroof is one of the few options available, adding $10,000 to the list o price. p
An actual arrival date for the TRX had not been confirmed at time of writing, so see b your RAM dealer or go to: y ramtrucks.com. au a for more details.
H AVA L H6 GT A RRIVES
ORDE RS RE - OPE N FOR 2023 SUBA RU FORESTE R
Following delays due to global supply chain issues, the first units of Haval’s new H6 ‘GT’ started to arrive in dealerships across Australia in July. The new model variant adds a premium look, on a par with coupe SUVs from European manufacturers.
While the coupe SUV styling often results in compromised interior space, Haval addresses this on the five-seat H6 GT with increased length, width and height compared to the regular H6 it shares a 2,738mm wheelbase with. Although no numbers on luggage space are provided, the coupe roof means it’ll be less than the wagon-type H6’s maximum of 1,485 litres (600lt with the rear seats occupied), with another trade-off being reduced ground clearance of 165mm compared to the regular H6’s 172mm.
Subaru dealers are now taking orders for the 2023 Forester. Following a brief period when the new model year version of the popular SUV was sold out, the order books were reopened in mid-June, with the first units expected in Australia before the end of the year.
Available in either 2WD Lux or 4WD Ultra grades, the H6 GT also offers an increase in standard specification compared to the H6, including a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument display of the same size, eight-speaker DTS sound system, ecoleather seat upholstery, 360-degree camera and power tailgate.
Drivetrain is the same 2.0-litre fourcylinder petrol engine used in the standard H6, featuring an “active exhaust booster” and matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Producing 150kW and 320Nm, listed fuel economy from this drivetrain is 7.5lt/100km for the Lux and 8.4lt/100km for the Ultra.
Standard features on the H6 GT Lux include 19-inch alloys, LED lighting, dual-
As the Forester was facelifted for the 2022 model year, there are no major changes in style or spec for 2023, but some slight tweaks have been made to the mid-size SUV, with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror added to the 2.5i Sport, 2.5i-S and Hybrid S variants, while Sapphire Blue pearl zone climate control, USB ports front and rear, heated front seats and power driver’s seat and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. The safety suite is in line with that of the 5-star ANCAP-rated H6 that includes AEB, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, driver drowsiness assist, hill descent control and front and rear parking sensors.
To this, the 4WD H6 GT Ultra adds a fourwheel drive system with four selectable driving modes (Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow) and an ‘All-Terrain Response System’. Other upgrades include Brembo brakes, Michelin Sport tyres, a larger 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, head-up display, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, hands-free power tailgate, more front seat comfort features and a heated steering wheel, while safety and convenience features include rear cross traffic alert and fully automatic parking.
The H6 GT Lux 2WD is priced from $40,990 drive away, with the H6 GT Ultra 4WD priced at $46,990 drive away.
See your Haval dealer for more details.
paint replaces the Dark Blue pearl option on the 2.5i Sport.
The conventional 136kW/239Nm 2.5-litre Boxer four petrol engine and 110kW/196Nm hybrid drive systems (with a 2.0-litre petrol four and e-Boxer 12.3kW electric motor) continue to be offered, all matched to a CVT and Symmetrical AllWheel Drive, with the EyeSight Driver Assist safety technology also standard across the MY23 Forester range.
Pricing for the 2023 Forester has risen by a significant $1,900 to $2,150 over the current range’s pricing, reflecting increases in the pricing of other Subaru models of late. According to the manufacturer, the price hike is due to increased costs relating to production and logistics.
The full 2023 Subaru Forester range pricing is as follows: Forester 2.5i AWD $37,890* Forester 2.5i-L AWD $40,290* Forester 2.5i Premium AWD $43,090* Forester 2.5i Sport AWD $44,840* Forester 2.5i-S AWD $46,340* Forester Hybrid L AWD $43,290* Forester Hybrid S AWD $49,340*
Upgrade to All-Terrain joins new Conquest, JRV, Journey, J-Pod and Crosstrak models for 2022.
Jayco has announced six new additions to their product range, covering caravans and RVs, and incorporating increased storage and enhanced off-road capability.
Unveiled in June, the new lineup is available to order now.
“Here at Jayco we’re always listening to customer feedback, working to constantly improve our product,” said National Sales Manager, Scott Jones.
The six new additions to the Jayco range are as follows:
J-POD X
Jayco call their all-new J-Pod X the perfect lightweight RV. Standard features on this compact camper trailer include a rear pantry with a 45-litre fridge and a slide-out kitchen with space for a BBQ or portable stove.
Also on the J-Pod X spec list is a 270 degree awning, 9kg gas bottle and bayonet connection.
Two versions of the Off-Grid X Pack are available to suit the All-Terrain caravan.
CROSSTRAK 14.44.-1
The new CrossTrak 14.44-1 enables travellers to get the most out of the great outdoors and enjoy time spent indoors, as the addition of a slide-out kitchen unit to this model means it now features increased interior space when parked.
The new CrossTrak 14.44-1 retains a narrow cross section, ensuring unhindered access on tight and twisty trails, while robust suspension and checker plate protection makes off-grid camping even easier.
ALL TERRAIN OFF-GRID X PACK
The all-new Off-Grid X upgrade pack takes the All-Terrain caravan to the next level. Designed to suit the new breed of off-road adventurer, the Off-Grid X pack includes an all-new ‘Intelli-Jay High Power’ management system (based on Projecta IG units) to support an untethered lifestyle.
Two Off-Grid X Pack options are available. Pack one uses an IG2-BT7 power management system and includes a 2000W inverter, 120amp charging, DC charging up to 30ah, a 40ah solar controller and 200ah lithium battery, all controllable via a 7.0inch touchscreen.
Pack two upgrades the power management system to IG3-BT7, increases the inverter to 3000W and ups the charging capacity to 180amp thanks to a larger 400ah battery.
Identified by distinctive Off-Grid X graphics, both packs for the All-Terrain also include a heavy-duty rear bumper with integral firewood rack.
JOURNEY 22.68.4
The new version of the Jayco Journey caravan now offers sleeping capacity for up to eight, so it’s well equipped to take big families on big family escapes!
CONQUEST FA.25-2 6-BERTH
Based on the Fiat Ducato Maxi, the Conquest FA.25-2 can now carry up to six. This well-equipped RV remains packed with all the features and comforts you’d expect in a home away from home, offering luxury travel without the premium price tag.
JRV FD.19-4
Powered by a Fiat Ducato with 9-speed automatic transmission for easy driving, this RV now features expanded sleeping capacity with the addition of a pop-up rooftop bed area. Other features include an internal kitchen, shower/toilet, air conditioning, fridge and side awning.
All these new models are manufactured at Jayco’s state-of-the-art facility in Dandenong South, Victoria, while a network of 150 outlets across Australia provide sales and service support.
For more details on the new Jayco arrivals and other models in the 2022 range, go to: jayco.com.au
Rooftop bed area is a new addition to the JRV.
