Ram Truck Unveils New Ram Rampage Pickup, But There’s a Caveat

The demand for midsize pickup trucks is increasingly evident, as not everyone is in need of a full-size pickup like the Ram 1500. This latest development has led to anticipation whenever the rumor mill churns out new tidbits about a smaller Ram pickup truck. Often, enthusiasts cite a comeback of the old Dakota nameplate, but any nameplate revival remains to be seen. However, Ram Truck did recently unveil its Rampage model, a new compact pickup that’s destined for the Americas–just not North America. That said, there’s nothing indicating that Ram is unwilling to compete in the midsize truck segment stateside as it heats up with competitors such as the Ford Maverick. 

The small and unibody pickup is currently limited to South America–Brazil and Argentina specifically. Ram initially introduced the model via a series of Youtube shorts in April (2023), showcasing its new interior, advanced tech, and other additional noteworthy features. Incidentally, the Ram Rampage was designed for the South American market in collaboration with the U.S. division of Ram, implying there could be a future crossover between the two markets. The nameplate choice is also deliberate on Ram’s part, as it pays homage to a small unibody pickup that bore the same name back in the 1980s. 

The Ram Rampage is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane I-4 engine, initially developed for the U.S. market. Although the engine bears the same Hurricane name as the I-6 currently powering the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, as well as serving as the potential HEMI V8 replacement for the Ram 1500, this 2.0-liter engine is housed under the brand’s Global Medium Engine division. It is the same engine as the one that’s currently powering sister brand vehicles such as the 2023 Jeep Compass, Wrangler, 4xe, and the all-new Dodge Hornet. Additionally, some enthusiasts would like to point out that the Rampage’s tail lights are American-influenced, but this is subjective. 

While the Ram Rampage does draw inspiration from existing U.S. design elements, the interior differs greatly from the Ram 1500’s tablet-like infotainment system. Instead, the all-new Rampage features a sleeker and more refined infotainment unit. This design choice reflects Ram Truck’s focus on delivering a technologically advanced, practical, and luxurious pickup tailored to the South American market.

Even if the 2024 Ram Rampage is specifically designed to meet the precise needs of the South America market, there’s still hope Ram will expand its midsize truck hopes and dreams North in the future. The possibility of a midsize Ram pickup in the U.S. remains open as more and more brands begin to crowd the midsize pickup segment–it would be asinine for the automaker to not develop a model when there’s adequate demand. The Rampage’s success overseas could potentially pave the way for a similar variant’s entry into the U.S. market. So, while Ram may not have a midsize offering for the North American market just yet, the possibility remains. 

Check out the existing Ram Truck lineup here at University Dodge. Check out our latest Ram Trucks inventory, including the latest Ram 1500 and Ram Heavy Duty, and schedule your test drive today! Follow University Dodge on social media to stay up to date with the latest Ram Truck news, including the imminent arrival of the all-new Ram 1500 TRX.

Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis