The Dodge M-80 Concept: A Back-to-Basics Pickup Truck

Although it is still uncertain if the Rampage name will ever reach the U.S Market. STLA has two upcoming platforms that would serve very useful for a unibody mini (lifestyle) truck and a mid-size unibody truck. Those two platforms being the STLA: Medium and STLA: Large. While I would prefer for STLA to use the Rampage name over D80, as I really hope the Rampage names makes it to the states for a subcompact pickup to rival the Ford Maverick, it would be great to see the STLA brand expand into the small truck market with two different options in a very big way, The small truck could use the Turbocharged 2.0L with the 272hp/295lb-ft of torque from the Ram Rampage R/T as it's base engine and the 1.3L Turbo Hybrid setup from the Hornet R/T, boasting 288hp and 383lb-ft of torque (with the "Powershot" feature adding 30 addition horsepower, meaning it would have 318hp/383tq for a few seconds) in a Rampage R/T version. Let's keep in mind for a moment the 2004 Chrysler 300C with the 5.7L Hemi produced roughly 335hp and 387lb-ft of torque. That's only a difference of 17hp and 4lb-ft of torque and with this being a performance hybrid setup, the torque would be more readily available than the V8 Hemi with a 5-speed auto. And if the vehicle has an available Track Pack, this would make one heck of a hot-rod mini-truck. To put this in perspective, the Ford Maverick comes with the options of the 2.5L hybrid 4-cylinder setup producing 191hp/155tq while the 2.0L Ecoboost variant produces 250hp/277lb-ft of torque, so even at it's best it's still 22hp/18lb-ft weaker than the base engine listed above. Not only could this truck definitely have a performance advantage over the blue oval rival with Hybrid technology, the STLA: Medium platform can handle being an all-EV platform too and Stellantis has stated that the chassis will have engines up to 382hp. Keep in mind the 5.7L Charger R/T produces 370hp, so that could mean a top tier, high performance, GLH-variant EV mini-truck that would out perform today's current Hemi muscle cars and be able to tow and haul while seating 5-passengers. Keep in mind this is just the mini truck but it definitely gives off alot of potential SRT4 vibes to me. Hopefully, it would get nearly all of the Brazilian Rampage's styling and features and size which would put the truck right between the Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Currently, it's stated that the Brazilian Rampage is built on the same chassis that underpins the Hornet and Jeep Cherokee. Hopefully, if we do get an American version on hopefully the STLA: Medium platform, Stellantis will add some GLH goodies to this subcompact pickup. Surprisingly enough, power wise, the "Rampage" mini-truck's closest horsepower competitor would be the Hyundai Santa Cruz with the 2.5L turbo version producing 281hp and 311lb-ft of torque. The STLA medium should also include a new Dodge Dart sedan and Caliber Crossover with those same powertrains with the Dart being a mid-size 4-door coupe/hatchback pony car set to dethrone vehicles like the Acura Integra Type S, Civic Type R, Corolla GR and Golf R, all of which run in the 300-320hp range. While the 1.3L maxes out at 318hp with the Powershot system activated, Dropping in a 382hp full battery electric powertrain with a Fratzonic exhaust would give the car an impressive advantage and make it more powerful than an Ecoboost Mustang. Not to mention just saying the car took any inspiration from the Charger Banshee concept and was just made smaller and had the look of a '71 Demon (similar to what Acura did with the TLX & Integra), Dodge would seriously have a true Pony car Hot-hatch on their hands, Do the same thing with a Caliber Crossover and Dodge effectively has not only high performance vehicles still in the lineup but also reduces it's carbon footprint with hybrids and BEVs.
While that would not only fill a void in the subcompact market, while also reducing the brand's carbon footprint by offering hybrid and full BEV powertrains, an STLA: Large Dakota would be an awesome way to bring the Dakota back to the fold. The formula that worked for the Durango from 2011-current could also hold true with the Dakota midsize pickup truck. On it's current platform, the Durango has a towing capacity of 8,700lbs, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has a 6,000 Towing capacity, which compares to the 6,000-7,700lb towing capacity of the GMC Canyon with the 2.7L Turbo (310hp/430tq), the 6,500-6,800lb towing capacity of the Tacoma 4WD/2WD, 5,500-7,500lb-towing capacity of the Ford Ranger and definitely higher than the 5,000lb towing capacity of the Honda Ridgeline. Of course to me, the base engine of the Dakota should be the 375hp/470lb-ft torque 2.0L 4XE hybrid powertrain, followed up by the two Hurricane 3.0L Twin Turbo I-6 engine (Standard output 420hp/468tq and High output 510hp/500lb-ft torque) with three EV power levels (340Kw w/ Direct Connection Stage 1 & 2, 440KW w Direct Connection Stage 1 & 2, and 800V Banshee system with Stage 1 & 2 upgrades). Yes, I do think that the Ram Dakota pickup should return back to it's muscle truck roots like it had in the late 90's with the 5.9L R/T Dakota models but this time with more muscle and yes is should be put right in there with the new Challenger, Charger and possible Stealth SUV as the new Mid-size SUV is rumored to be named along with whatever STLA: Large Crossover that Chrysler is planning on bringing out to potentially replace the 300 sedan, which personally I think should keep the 300 name and just use the 300H name with the styling from the 1962 Chrysler 300H, with more of the Luxury Hotrod feel like what the '62 300H had. There should definitely be a 300H Hurst performance edition of that as well and the Chrysler 300H crossover should definitely have everything from the 2.0L 4XE base powertrain, the two 3.0L Hurricane powertrain and the 400V and 800V systems with the 340kW powertrain, the 440kW powertrain and the Banshee powertrain with the stage kits.
I know alot of people feel that the brand will die if V8 engines aren't used, I honestly feel that the brand will do alot better with the Hurricane powertrains both ICE and Hybrid, than they did with the Hemi V8 engines. From the 2.0L "4Xe" hybrid to the Hurricane HO (which is rumored to have up to 530hp in the upcoming Challenger/Charger) These next-gen vehicles will have way more power than anything short of a Hellcat. Even the 1.3L Hybrid as I mention above is comparable to an early 5.7L Hemi and in smaller, lighter cars with AWD, it will probably outperform even them while having way better economy and a much smaller carbon footprint which will keep the EPA off of Stellantis' back for awhile. Not to mention if these Banshee 800V systems can outpower Hellcats, Redeyes and Demons and performance and feel like a muscle car and be tuned for more performance then honestly, that's great!, Even to find a way to make a "6Xe" hybrid system with the Hurricane-6 engines could possibly produce cars that would destroy Hellcats. Imagine those kinds of systems in the new Challenger, Charger, Stealth performance SUV, a Dakota performance pickup and even a Ram 1500 performance pickup truck. Rough math puts a 3.0L High Output Hybrid at above 630hp and I'm not even sure the amount of torque but it's more than likely higher than the standard 656lb-ft of torque and if not, it's going to be close to that and it would be closer to that instant torque feel being that the electric motors would be assisting. While I don't think the brand should go full EV any time soon, I think the use of hybrid systems will definitely make these next gen vehicles surpass what we have now and help the brand thrive and grow. Not only with the Dodge brand but with all of the brands. Performance Jeep Grand Cherokees, Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Gladiators would all benefit from having base 2.0L 4Xe systems with the two Hurricane-6 powertrains and a Hurricane 6Xe option. the Jeep Cherokee would benefit from having all of the same powertrains as the Hornet and all moving to the STLA: Medium platform with a full BEV options, Obviously the upcoming Jeep Recon on the STLA: Large platform which is supposed to be full BEV, should have the 340kW, 440kW and Banshee 800V systems all available with Direct Connection stage kits, the Wagoneer S should REALLY have the 340kW, 440kW and Banshee 800V systems with the Direct Connection Stage Kits, and all of the Ram 1500 pickups, upcoming Durango full size STLA: Frame SUVs and Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer SUVs should have the Hurricane-6, Hurricane 6Xe hybrid and 800V full BEV powertrains while the 2500 and up diesel pickups should be Hybrid-Hydrogen vehicles pushing out over 1,000lb-ft of torque, and over 500hp with good fuel range/electric range. At that point the STLA North American branch would be able to effectively compete in whatever market it wanted to from subcompact trucks to full size and from sports cars to luxury cars to muscle cars, all without the EPA restricting them. Not to mention with Direct Connection up and running now, the Brand could grow itself even larger by having the largest selection of factory backed performance and styling upgrades to make the brand the most factory customizable cars on the market with everything being emissions compliant and being able to be covered under the factory warranty and that goes for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram. The brand's future is actually still very bright indeed.

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