These are the most powerful utes you can buy

If you really want a ute with actual muscle and not just a sticker pack, there are still options for you within the current market. That’s, of course, if you can’t wait for the V8-powered Raptor. We expect the Mustang GT-powered Raptor will be endowed with roughly the same 339kW and 556Nm the Coyote engine produces in the ’Stang.

Attaining that grunt level, or a kilowatt count to rival the good old days of Holden and Ford V8-powered utes, means you’re going to have to look stateside. Both RAM and HSV (via Chevrolet) currently offer big-capacity bent eights, but they also come with sizeable bodies and heft to dull performance.

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To get your naturally aspirated V8 fix, RAM offers a 5.6-litre unit in its 1500 model which produces 291kW and 556Nm. It’s tied to an eight-speed automatic and shifts the more than 2.5 tonne ‘truck’ with surprising pace.

The larger 2500 is fitted with the venerable Cummins 6.7-litre inline-six turbo diesel, which is an absolute torque monster at 1084Nm, while power is rated at a healthy 276kW. It uses a six-speed auto to handle the mammoth torque levels.

RAM sales have been going gangbusters in Australia. Given that the vehicles are converted to right-hand drive Down Under, selling an average of 239 RAMs a month is an impressive effort. The American-sourced offering sold 2860 units in 2019 – a 296.7 percent increase year-on-year compared with 2018.

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However, if you want V8 firepower and the ability to dwarf just about everything on the road, the Chevrolet Silverado has you covered with the 2500 and 3500 ranges. The Silverado line-up utilises a 6.6-litre turbo-diesel V8 with 332kW. Yet, it’s the 1234Nm of torque that means you’ll be able to tow a nation behind the more than 3.5-tonne American. Like the RAM, Silverados are imported from the US and converted in Melbourne (this time by HSV).

The main issue is that power and torque comes at a cost. To gain entry in the V8 club you’ll be facing a sticker price of almost $80,000 with the bulk of the options sitting around the $100,000 mark. Drop a few cylinders and more options become available.

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If you choose a more ‘conventional’ route, then Volkswagen’s Amarok Ultimate 580 is your dual cab of choice. As the name suggests, the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel offers 580Nm of torque – a figure that was bumped up by 30Nm when Mercedes-Benz released its 190kW/550Nm X-Class. The VeeDub produces the same 190kW, but offers up an eight-speed automatic against the Merc’s seven-speed unit.

Other than the 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 (151kW/430Nm) found in the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, you’re pretty much stuck with a five- (Ranger and BT-50) or a four-cylinder turbo diesel of varying capacities.

Would you buy one of these options, or are you hanging out for a V8-powered Ranger Raptor?

Here’s the top five most powerful ‘utes’ you can buy:

1. Chevrolet Silverado – 332kW/1234Nm
2. RAM 1500 – 291kW/556Nm
3. RAM 2500 – 276kW/1084Nm
4. Volkswagen Amarok Ultimate 580 – 190kW/580Nm
5. Mercedes-Benz X350d Power – 190kW/550Nm