2023 Ram Rampage: Mid-size pick-up for South America breaks cover

The Ram Rampage be close to a Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in size, but the mid-size pick-up is for now only intended for South America.

The Ram Rampage mid-size pick-up has been formally revealed after weeks of shadowy leaks – but this South American model is unlikely to come to Australia as a rival to the top-selling Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes.

Earlier this month, Ram’s Brazilian division released computer-generated images of the Rampage, though without specific details about the mid-size pick-up – such as its power outputs, dimensions and payload capacity.

Unveiled overnight, the Ram Rampage measures 5028mm in length, 1886mm wide and 1780mm tall – riding on a 2994mm wheelbase, underpinned by MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear.

This makes it a touch smaller than a Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger but has closer dimensions to the car-derived Ford Maverick sold in the US.

Ram says there will be three Rampage variants available in South America – Laramie, Rebel and R/T – with a choice of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.

A 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol ‘Hurricane’ engine is available across all three variants – producing up to 203kW and 400Nm of torque – while the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is only offered in the Laramie and Rebel, developing 127kW and 380Nm.

All engines are backed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, paired to a four-wheel-drive system with a ‘low-range’ function.

Ram claims the petrol-powered pick-ups can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, with the diesel variants taking another three seconds to complete the sprint.

The Ram Rampage has a claimed payload capacity of 750kg in petrol form and 1015kg for its diesel-powered variants – compared to the 854kg capacity of the Toyota HiLux Rogue and 1030kg Ford Ranger Wildtrak in Australia.

Rampage Rebel variants are equipped with 17-inch wheels (wrapped in 235/65 all-terrain tyres), which step up to 18-inches in the Laramie (with 235/60 tyres) and 19-inches for the R/T (235/55 tyres).

All variants receive 305mm and 320mm disc brakes at the front and rear respectively, while an electronic parking brake, auto-hold, hill-start assist and hill descent control systems are also standard across the line-up.

Inside, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen can pair up to two smartphones via wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto at a time, with a wireless charging pad and six USB ports (three USB-A, three USB-C) also included.

Owners can download the ‘Ram Connect’ smartphone app to access 24-hour vehicle monitoring, remote updates, servicing information and even turning on the pick-up’s air-conditioning system remotely.

A 10.3-inch digital dash offers changeable display pages depending on the drive mode selected, which sits in front of the driver’s 12-way power-adjustable seat.

The Ram Rampage’s leather-lined interior includes seven airbags for occupant safety and a suite of advanced driver assistance technology, such as autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.

Ambient LED lighting, a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system and a 12-way power-adjustable front passenger seat are available for an additional $R6000 ($AU1840).

In Brazil, Ram Rampage prices start from $R239,990 ($AU73,700) for the turbo-diesel Rebel, which increases to $R249,990 ($AU76,760) when purchased as a petrol.

The Ram Rampage Laramie is priced from $R249,990 ($AU76,760) and $R259,990 ($AU79,830) for the diesel and petrol models respectively, while the flagship R/T tops out at $R269,990 ($AU82,900).

As previously reported, the Ram Dakota mid-size pick-up – not the Rampage – is expected to be revived as a rival to Australia’s top-selling Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, though it could be years away from showrooms.

Speaking with Australian media at the New York Auto Show in April, Ram CEO Mike Koval said a mid-size pick-up is a target for the company, though the vehicle is only in the concept phase.

“We’ve been talking about (the return of a Ram mid-size pick-up) forever and I have committed to myself and to my team … this is the leadership team that is going to execute (bring the vehicle to production). We will be the team that delivers this.

“Every new vehicle, starting with the (next-generation Ram 1500), and everything beyond it … will have an international scope. Or I will try to.”

The Ram Dakota could be offered with a choice of electric or petrol power and be made in right-hand-drive at the company’s US factory, following unprecedented demand for the converted pick-ups in Australia.

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