√Is this Ram’s ute rival to the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger?

A mid-size Ram pick-up has been caught on camera undergoing testing, but it’s not the one Australian buyers are hoping for.

US pick-up giant Ram appears to be in the final development phase of a new mid-size double-cab ute – if fresh spy photos from overseas are a guide – but this won’t be Ram’s Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival for Australia.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the Ram – known internally as Project 291 – will be badged as the Rampage when it debuts in the coming months.

However, according to the global boss of Ram, the vehicle caught on camera in recent months is being developed for South American markets, and is unrelated to its future Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival bound for Australia.

Referred to as the Ram Dakota, the future Australian mid-size ute is expected to follow a similar recipe to other vehicles in the segment, possibly with a ladder-frame chassis and off-road capability when it eventually arrives Down Under.

MORE: Ram Dakota pick-up ‘will happen’ says global boss, but is years away

Meanwhile, it’s believed the Ram Rampage for South America is based on the same vehicle architecture as the Ram 1000 and Fiat Toro – compact dual-cab pick-ups that share their underpinnings with the Jeep Compass and Fiat 500X.

While the Ram 1000 competes against the Ford Maverick and Renault Duster Oroch compact pick-ups, the mid-size Ram Rampage will compete against the HiLux and Ranger – just not in Australia.

Eventually the Ram Dakota will fill that role for the Australian market, however it appears as if it will be a number of years before the ute gets to the production stage.