The exterior of the new Ram Rampage ute has been revealed in Brazil ahead of its full launch later this year, offering 1500-like styling but more manageable dimensions.
It’s understood to be based on the same Fiat Chrysler Small Wide 4×4 architecture that does service in the Jeep Compass and Commander/Meridian and Alfa Romeo Tonale.
This means this unibody ute is unlikely to offer quite the same off-road and load-carrying capabilities of body-on-frame utes like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
Its styling screams ‘baby Ram 1500‘ however, from its upright front end and horseshoe grille to its muscular body and chunky tail light detailing.
Inside, there’s a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Specifications have yet to be released, but reports out of Brazil suggest it will be offered in familiar Laramie, Rebel and Longhorn trims plus a Night Edition, with engines consisting at first of a 127kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four.
Both will reportedly be mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
This isn’t the first small-ish ute to come from the house of Ram. The brand currently sells the Ram 700 — a rebadged and re-nosed Fiat Strada — in some Latin American countries, like Mexico.
Other countries in the Americas, like Peru, also feature the larger Ram 1000 — a Fiat Toro with a revised grille — in their lineup.
Neither of these vehicles are sold in the US or Canada, though.
It’s unclear if Stellantis has engineered the Rampage to be compliant with US safety and emissions standards. If it is sold there, it would likely compete with the likes of the bargain basement, but hot-selling, Ford Maverick and the more upscale, less popular, Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Both these utes share their architectures with popular small crossovers, namely the Ford Bronco Sport and Hyundai Tucson.
It’s unclear whether the Rampage is intended for sale in any markets outside Latin America, like Australia.
The Rampage name was once used on an even smaller ute: the two-door Dodge Rampage, sold from 1982 to 1984. It was derived from the Omni O24 coupe, which in turn was based on the Volkswagen Golf-sized Omni hatchback.
The new Rampage isn’t the only new sub-1500 ute Ram plans to launch.
Ram has confirmed it’s working on an electric mid-sized ute in the US, possibly resurrecting the Dakota nameplate, which it has shown to dealers there.
The company has confirmed it has been designed with international and right-hand drive markets in mind, meaning it will more than likely make its way to Australia.
