Earlier this year, we saw the monstrous Ram TRX dethroned by the silent killer that is the Rivian R1T. Despite a mighty supercharged V8 and 702 horsepower, the all-American icon couldn't hold a candle to the 835-hp electric newcomer. The Rivian is one rapid truck, but will it be able to fend off a challenge from the latest electric truck, Ford's F-150 Lightning? Let's find out.
YouTube channel The Fast Lane Truck brought all three of the aforementioned trucks together and included an F-150 Hybrid as it "has a foot in both the old world and the new world." We already know the TRX can't match the R1T in a straight line, but it has an opportunity to reclaim some honor by beating out the Lightning. Then again, the electric F-150 may just beat the R1T. This is shaping up to be a hugely exciting drag race.
Unfortunately, we don't see all four rocket down the drag strip at the same time. First up, the F-150 Lightning takes on the F-150 Hybrid. With a 430-hp twin-turbocharged V6, the electrically assisted pickup is no slouch but it's simply no match for the incredible power afforded by the Lightning Extended Range - there's 580 hp and a mountainous 775 lb-ft of torque at the driver's disposal.
Unsurprisingly, the electric variant leaves its sibling for dead, scuttling off the line with the athleticism of a sports car. It takes the lead immediately and stays there. It may tip the scales at more than 6,500 lbs, but the Lightning belies its hefty curb weight with a best quarter-mile time of 13.07 seconds at 107 mph. Comparatively, the F-150 Hybrid covered the same distance in 15.36 seconds at 93.4 mph. With the hybrid out of the way, the Lightning still has to face the incredible-sounding TRX and R1T.
The TRX has more horsepower than the Lightning (702 hp vs 580 hp) and weighs less, at 6,350 lbs. But with 650 lb-ft, the electric Ford has a big advantage. Remarkably, the TRX sets off quicker and looks like it has a chance, but the V8 behemoth is no match for the battery-powered F150 which quickly assumes pole position. We're still impressed by how close it is; the mighty Ram finished the quarter-mile in 13.69 seconds at 104.1 mph.
Wearing two victories on its belt, can the F-150 Lightning fend off the R1T? Judging by the power figures, it's unlikely. Rivian's pickup is more powerful, with a hypercar-rivaling 835 hp and 908 lb-ft on tap - but it weighs more than the Ford. The figures don't lie - the Rivian blasts off with incredible speed and crosses the line in 11.95 seconds at 111.7 mph, relegating the Lightning to second place.
It seems the Rivian remains undefeated - something that can't be said about its towing skills.