Yesterday, we provided you with a glimpse of the upcoming 2024 Ram Rampage Rebel 4×4, a compact pickup specifically designed for the Latin American market. Today, we have exciting new spy shots of a pair of Rampage pickups undergoing testing in the United States, hinting at the potential revival of the R/T badge in Ram’s lineup.
Back in 2009, when the fourth-generation Ram 1500 was introduced, the Ram Truck brand had not yet been established. Consequently, Ram introduced one of its pickups with the R/T badge. This variant, based on the mid-level Sport trim, showcased a sporty truck design and was exclusively available as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD), Regular model with a short bed. Powering the R/T was a formidable 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8 engine generating 395 horsepower, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission featuring a 3.92:1 rear-axle ratio.
It appears that Ram is now considering bringing back the R/T badge for the Rampage, in addition to its existing trim models such as Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel. Recent spy shots reveal distinctive red stitching on the steering wheel and prominent red R/T badges adorning the front seats.
According to our sources, the Rampage R/T is expected to feature the reliable turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane4 inline-four-cylinder engine from the FCA Global Medium Engine (GME) family, which is already utilized in various FCA US-based vehicles. This engine will be paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive (4×4) system.
In the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet GT, the Hurricane4 engine delivers an output of 268 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Given the Rampage’s compact size and unibody architecture, this powertrain should provide ample sportiness and performance.
Could this reintroduction of the R/T badge to the Ram brand indicate its potential inclusion in other Ram models? Many enthusiasts would undoubtedly welcome more street performance-oriented pickups from the automaker.
The official launch of the Ram Rampage is scheduled for June 19th, with dealership availability anticipated in August. Pre-sales for the pickup will commence shortly after its launch in Brazil. At this time, there is no official confirmation regarding the Rampage’s availability in the North American market, where it could potentially compete with compact pickups like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
2024 Ram Rampage R/T Prototype Image Gallery:
