RAM’s HiLux and Ranger-fighting Dakota reportedly gets the go ahead in Latin America
New intel out of Brazil suggests Stellanits has given the highly anticipated RAM Dakota project, also known as the RAM 1200, the green light ahead of a 2023 South American launch.
The news was broken in a report published by Autos Segredos, which speculates the Latin American versions of the HiLux and Ranger-baiting RAM will be underpinned by an enlarged version of the ‘Small Wide’ 4×4 platform (monocoque) used by some Jeep products while some North American versions could be built around a traditional body-on-frame design.
In terms of powertrains, it should as little surprise to hear both petrol and diesel engines are reportedly on the agenda with Autos Segredos specifically referencing a 2.0-litre, 150kW version of the ‘Tiger Shark’ petrol mill alongside a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel good for 151kW/449Nm.
Both engines will reportedly be paired to a nine-speed automatic.
If these details prove accurate, the mid-sized RAM will be on par with the local ute favourites in terms of power but well behind on torque, especially so in the case of the new Ford Ranger which will offer up close to 600Nm in some guises.
While the torque figure may end up being down on the segment leaders, the diesel’s outputs would at least be on par, if not slightly up on the rest of the current mid-sized ute offerings like the Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton, not to mention well ahead of challenger offerings like the GWM Ute and SsangYong Musso.
Regardless, carsales sources both here and abroad have previously indicated the project was a good chance to get off the ground and that a right-hand-drive program was in the works, leaving the door wide open for a possible local introduction.
Even if there are no right-hook plans, there’s no reason why the RAM Dakota couldn’t or won’t be converted by a third-party contractor, just like Walkinshaw currently does for the bigger RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500.
Images: KDesign
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Keyword: CONFIRMED: RAM Dakota green-lit in Brazil