CAUGHT: 2022 Fiat Toro (Ram 1000) Ultra Compact Pickup:

While Ford Motor Company has been caught testing its upcoming 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup around Dearborn recently, Stellantis’ FIAT brand is hard at work testing its upcoming Mid-Cycle-Action (MCA) of its Brazilian Fiat Toro pickup (also known in certain areas of Latin America as the Ram 1000). Our friends at Autos Segredos (Auto Secrets) in Brazil, caught up with FIAT engineers testing the updated compact pickup on public roads.

Based on the Small Wide 4×4 architecture that underpins the Jeep Compass, Jeep Renegade, and Ram ProMaster City, the Fiat Toro has been a sales success in its segment since its launch, with a market share of 29.7% in 2019. Over the past year, it has been overshadowed by the launch of the all-new Fiat Strada sub-compact pickup (also known as the Ram 700 in select markets). 

These latest photos of the new 2022 Fiat Toro appear to be the premium Ultra model. The current Ultra model adds a dynamic cover which offers even more security for the content placed in the bucket (FIAT’s way of saying the pickup box). The cover features better weather sealing, brand logos, and darkened acronyms. The cover is removable for those who want to load the bucket with larger objects. Ultra models also come equipped with standard 18-inch aluminum wheels and a darkened themed interior with black leather-wrapped seats with Ultra embroidery help set the Ultra model apart.

In the spy photos, we clearly see that the Toro will be wearing a new version of the FIAT brand grille design as well have seen on recent updated and all-new vehicles in both the LATAM and EMEA regions. The grille appears to ditch the quirky “cheese grater” like grille for a look more like the new Strada. It appears that the F-I-A-T text will drop down into the grille design, compared to where it has been located, above it since it came to the market almost six years ago. The new grille design also incorporates the new FIAT Italian flag design in the bottom corner.

While much of the exterior will look the same for the MCA, we do see that the 2022 Fiat Toro Ultra will receive standard LED headlamps and foglamps. We believe that these lights will also be standard equipment on the luxury outdoorsy Ranch model and optional on the sporty Volcano trim. 

There will be three engine options available for the Toro going into the 2022 model year. The base engine is the 1.8-liter E.torQ (not to be confused with Ram’s eTorque mild-hybrid system) inline-four-cylinder engine paired to either a manual or automatic transmission. The second engine is the 1.3-liter turbocharged GSE-T4 Firefly inline-four-cylinder found in the Jeep Renegade. The 1.3-liter will be matched to a 6-speed automatic according to our sources. Last but not least, there will be a 2.0-liter Multijet II inline-four-cylinder turbodiesel. The diesel should still continue to be mated to a ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.8-liter will more than likely be only offered on the entry-level Eurdurance model until Brazil’s new pollutant emission protocols go into effect on January 1st, 2021. The 1.3-liter turbo should be available on all the Eurdurance and mid-level Freedom models. Power output for the 1.3-liter will be 180 horsepower on gasoline (185 horsepower on ethanol) and 200 lb.-ft. of torque.

The entire lineup will be available with the 2.0-liter turbodiesel. According to Autos Segredos, the 2.0-liter will be recalibrated to produce 203 horsepower and 289 lb.-ft. of torque. All turbodiesel models will be paired to four-wheel-drive.

Inside, the 2022 Fiat Toro will get an updated instrument panel (I/P) featuring a new 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster with full HD color, the new display allows customers to view more than 20 different features and create up to 12 different configurations. With an innovative new operating system that guarantees navigation up to five times faster, easier, and more intuitive, the new Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system will now sit vertically like the system in the Ram 1500.

Production of the 2022 Fiat Toro will begin on April 5th, at the Pernambuco (Goiana) Plant. To find out more about the upcoming 2022 Fiat Toro, be sure to visit autossegredos.com.br

What do you think of the Fiat Toro? Would you buy a front-wheel-drive-based compact pickup? Let us know in the comments below or on the MoparInsiders.com forums.