We Have More Details On Ram’s Upcoming Midsized Pickup For Latin America!

Back in April 2021, MoparInsiders.com received some details about an all-new compact Ram pickup under development and internally known as “Project 291”, from our friends at Brazilian publication Auto Segredos (Auto Secrets). The new unibody pickup is focused on expanding the brand’s efforts in the South American market, a job that is currently being relayed on by a rebadged version of the Fiat Toro. 

Now, Auto Segredos has even more details for us on Ram’s upcoming compact offering.

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For starters, Project 291 will resurrect the Ram 1200 nameplate once it hits showrooms. You may recall the Ram 1200 name was fitted to a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Triton for distribution in the Middle-East region. It was discontinued after the 2019 model year. 

The new truck will be built at the Jeep® plant in Pernambuco, Brazil, and will be based on the Stellantis Small Wide 4×4 architecture that currently underpins vehicles like the Fiat Toro, Jeep Compass, and the new 7-passenger Jeep Commander. Using a formula similar to the new Commander when compared to the Compass, the Ram 1200 will be both wider and longer than the Fiat Toro. It is believed that the same engineering team who worked on the new Commander, is working on the new Ram 1200.

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As for powertrains, Auto Segredos says there will be at least two different powertrains available at the vehicle’s launch. According to the publication, the Ram 1200 will feature an updated version of the 2.0-liter Tigershark inline-four-cylinder which will now be equipped with a turbocharger. The reason for the Tigershark upgrade is due to its ability to accept ethanol, a popular choice of fuel for the Brazilian market. The engine should be rated above 200 horsepower and be mated to a ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission.

The other available powertrain will be the proven 2.2-liter Multijet II turbodiesel inline-four-cylinder engine. Power is rated at 203 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque and will also be linked to a ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission. The engine made its debut on the Jeep Cherokee in Europe back in 2015, but will also find itself in the upcoming Fiat Toro SUV coming in 2024.

Both powertrains should have four-wheel drive (4×4) as standard.

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Auto Segredos also stated to us, that the Stellantis team is studying the possibility of bringing such a truck to the North American market. However, we believe that the midsized Ram offering planned for the North American market will be based on the STLA Large unibody architecture due to its upcoming electrified powertrain.

Needless to say, a Ram-specific midsized pickup for the Latin American market will keep the brand going. Ram has already broken sales records in Brazil and Argentina, as well as, launched an updated Ram 1000 model based on the Fiat Toro in select markets.

The new Ram 1200 should be arriving in dealership showrooms sometime in late-2023 as a 2024 model.

Source: Auto Segredos