If you think drag races are only for sleek sports cars, Hennessey Performance is here to flip that notion on its head with a thrilling match-up you never saw coming. Picture this: a 1,200 horsepower Ram 1500 TRX Mammoth going head-to-head against a Ford GT. On the surface, these two vehicles couldn't be more different, but when the rubber meets the road, it's a race that's bound to leave you on the edge of your seat.
Beastly Power Under the Hood
Hennessey's Ram TRX Mammoth 1200 is the ultimate farewell to the TRX. Packing a monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the truck has undergone extensive modding to churn out an earth-shaking 1,200 hp. This powerplant pairs with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, distributing that immense power to all four wheels. It's akin to strapping a rocket to a boulder, and the TRX tips the scales at a hefty 6,440 lbs (2,921 kg), making it as heavy as it is powerful.
Watch: Hennessey Sends Off Ram TRX With 1,200 HP Mammoth And Z06 Drag Race
Light and Nimble: The Ford GT
On the other end of the drag strip, we have the Ford GT—a thoroughbred race car designed for agility and speed. Powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, it delivers 647 hp to the rear wheels, which is about half of what the Ram boasts. However, the GT only weighs 3,354 lbs (1,521 kg), which provides it with a significant edge in terms of power-to-weight ratio.
When you pit these two against each other, the conventional wisdom is turned on its head. The Ram's all-wheel-drive system gives it an explosive off-the-line acceleration, while the Ford GT relies on its lighter frame and aerodynamic prowess to claw back precious milliseconds as speeds rise.
Heart-Stopping Races
The drag races played out like a masterclass in vehicular physics. In the first round, the Ram TRX Mammoth shot off the line like a cannonball, taking full advantage of its all-wheel-drive setup. The Ford GT, with launch control enabled, wasn't far behind but struggled initially to match the Ram's incredible launch.
In subsequent races, the tables began to turn. Shmee150, the automotive content creator bringing his Ford GT to the fray, managed a near-perfect launch in the second race, allowing him to edge past the Ram just before the finish line. When the competitors lined up for a rolling start in the third race, the Ford GT’s lighter frame and higher top-end speed allowed it to secure a comfortable victory.
The Ultimate Face-off
The final race was yet another standing start, a setup that typically benefits the Ram’s brutish power and traction. However, to know the outcome of this ultimate showdown, you'll need to watch the full video, which promises to keep you glued until the very end.
In conclusion, this drag race between Hennessey's Ram TRX Mammoth 1200 and the Ford GT isn't just a test of speed but a fascinating exploration of power-to-weight ratios, drivetrain configurations, and sheer automotive engineering prowess. It's a battle of behemoth vs thoroughbred, and every second is electric.
Image credit: Hennessey Performance