Amidst the surging gas prices, rising interest rates, and increasing inflation, automakers are striving to meet the demands of truck owners through innovative solutions. Ford Motor Company made waves with the introduction of the compact and versatile Ford Maverick, receiving significant attention and acclaim. Now, Ram, renowned for its powerful full-size pickups, is set to reenter the smaller truck segment with the highly anticipated 2024 Ram Rampage. Recent reports, coupled with insider information from sources close to MoparInsiders, add weight to the speculation that the Rampage is indeed making its way to the United States.
According to The Drive, a compact pickup truck originally intended for the South American market and manufactured in Brazil will soon join Ram’s U.S. lineup. Multiple sightings of heavily camouflaged Rampage prototypes across the U.S. have further fueled the anticipation surrounding its imminent arrival. Speculation suggests that the Rampage will be produced in Mexico, adding an air of intrigue to its debut in the American market.
The forthcoming Ram Rampage draws inspiration from the iconic design elements found in Ram’s esteemed 1500 trucks. Enthusiasts will be delighted to find an American flag engraved into the taillights. The name harkons back to the small subcompact pickups dating back to the 1980s. Boasting a unibody construction, this compact truck is poised to offer exceptional versatility and agility.
One of the engines powering the new Rampage is the turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane4 inline-four-cylinder from the FCA Global Medium Engine family. The engine is renowned for its exceptional performance in vehicles like the Jeep® Wrangler (JL) and Alfa Romeo Stelvio (GU). The 2.0-liter balances between power and efficiency, catering to urban driving as well as occasional off-road adventures. The Rampage will be paired with a responsive 9-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF, ensuring a smooth and engaging driving experience.
A 2.2-liter turbodiesel inline-four-cylinder will also be available in LATAM, however, don’t expect that engine to arrive in North America.
To deliver impressive off-road capabilities and conquer diverse weather conditions, the Ram Rampage is anticipated to inherit the 4×4 system from the acclaimed Jeep Commander (H1). While it may not be positioned as a hardcore off-roader, the Rampage will provide ample capabilities for light off-roading enthusiasts, catering to a broader range of truck owners.
Sources close to MoparInsiders.com, have confirmed that Ram is strongly considering introducing the Rampage to the North American market. According to them, upon launch in the region, the Rampage is expected to be offered exclusively with the Hurricane4 engine. Boasting an impressive output of 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the Hurricane4 engine promises robust performance for the compact truck segment.
Other sources say a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant could also be in the works, however, our sources haven’t indicated anything about that.
Our sources have also suggested that the Ram Rampage will undergo rigorous validation to meet the stringent safety regulations in the United States. This explains the numerous sightings of heavily camouflaged prototypes across different regions of the country, as Ram meticulously fine-tunes the vehicle’s safety and performance attributes for American roads.
With limited options currently available in the compact truck market, such as the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the arrival of the Ram Rampage has the potential to disrupt the industry. Ram has already established a strong presence in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, and the Rampage aims to differentiate itself from the dominant Fiat brand in the region.
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