Sam Krahn 
FCA intended to make a big impact at the 2020 Detroit Auto Show, which was scheduled to take place in June for the first time ever. On the docket was going to be two massive debuts from the automaker’s breadwinning marques; Ram and Jeep. Unfortunately, with the cancelation of the show due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, both the reveal of the Ram Rebel TRX and next generation Jeep Grand Cherokee have been delayed, according to a 5thGenRams.com report.
Detroit’s TCF center was to hold the show, but the site will be a temporary hospital to hold the overflow of COVID-19 patients. Given that Detroit, Michigan is a national hotspot for the pandemic, it’s a tradeoff we can handle.
The Ram Rebel TRX is, without a doubt, one of the most anticipated reveals of the year. And it’s easy to see why, as it’s a production, Hellcat powered off-road pickup. Ram was planning on delivering the Ford F-150 Raptor a punch to the face at NAIAS in June. The TRX will boast 707 hp from the supercharged V8, around 250 more than the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 found in the Ford Raptor. It will have the expected wider fenders and aggressive bodywork to back up the mighty off-road performance.
Back in February, we reported that the next-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee would debut this year, according to FCA design chief Ralph Gilles. It’s rumored to ride on the Alfa Romeo Giorgio platform that underpins the Giulia and Stelvio, but will offer 3 rows of seating. This will make it larger than the outgoing model. The SUV should carryover the tried and true Pentastar V6, and may introduce a new 3.0 liter inline six. Expect some sort of hybrid model, too. The current WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee launched a decade ago, in 2010 as a 2011 model. And to say it’s served the brand well is an understatement.
It’s unclear when FCA will debut these models, but they join the 2021 Ford Bronco and 2021 Bronco Sport in a growing list of delayed reveals due to COVID-19.
As for the Ram Rebel TRX, production will begin in September at FCA’s Sterling Heights, Michigan, Assembly Plant. Expect to see the truck revealed before then, in some way or another. There’s no word yet on new Jeep Grand Cherokee production. It’s a shame we have to wait for these reveals, but at least we know they’ll come eventually.
