Lucas Bell 
When we learned that FCA was going to shove the Hellcat V8 into a pickup truck, we all sort of nodded our heads and agreed that that was a reasonable decision. The resulting Ram 1500 TRX has 702 horsepower and 650 ft-lbs of torque, making it the world’s fastest, quickest accelerating, and most powerful pickup on sale at the moment. However, it also may just be one of the thirstiest according to the EPA.
According to official EPA estimates, the Ram 1500 TRX will receive ratings of just 10 miles per gallon in the city and 14 miles per gallon on the highway. That means the brutish 6,350 pound pickup will arrive with a combined fuel economy rating of 12 mpg, which is frankly terrible. It’s not all that far off from other Hellcat powered vehicles however, with the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk receiving a rating of 13 mpg combined. The Dodge Challenger and Charger siblings and their much smaller footprint both receive a combined rating of 15 mpg.
While no one is going to argue that a combined fuel economy rating of 12 mpg is great, there’s not a single TRX buyer that will care. You don’t buy a pickup truck with as much power as a supercar because it’s a practical vehicle. You buy one because you want to be able to dominate any off-road trail in the country, all while ripping off 0-60 runs in just over four seconds. That said, fuel economy is an area where the Ford Raptor currently holds the edge over its Jurassic rival. The outgoing EcoBoost-powered model was able to return 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 16 mpg. Better numbers sure, but again they should be with a difference of two cylinders and 252 horsepower between the engines. Should the F-150 end up with the Predator V8 under the hood, this advantage could shrink.
So then the Ram 1500 TRX is a terribly thirsty pickup truck, which surprises absolutely no one. And while we understand the need to be responsible with our natural resources, good on FCA for making this thing while they can. Because in reality, they may not be able to do stuff like this for long.
