It’s a Dodge Challenger. No, it’s a truck. Wait, it’s actually the Ram Rampage which could be a cross between the Dodge Challenger and the smaller Ram 1500. But the little Ram Rampage could be a big deal in the mid-size truck segment.
Is the Ram Rampage coming back?
Ram Rampage concept design | FCA
Maybe. According to CarBuzz, Stellantis filed a patent for the Ram Rampage title in Mexico, but that was back in 2017. Reportedly the patent isn’t in use, and we don’t exactly like that it’s not filed in America.
The truck could come to the United States, though, and based on its rumors, we think it could tackle mid-size rivals like the Honda Ridgeline and Ford Ranger instead of the tiny Ford Maverick. The Rampage was an ute that fought the Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino back in the day.
However, the new Rampage seems more like a larger truck with enough muscle to crush the Maverick. When the Rampage was revised in 2006, it was powered by the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI. That much power could embarrass the Maverick.
What do we know about the Dodge Rampage?
Rumors suggest that the Dodge or Ram Rampage could be equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 engine with 303 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. The Honda Ridgeline has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
This seems a little more reasonable than creating a mid-size truck with 900 hp to help the Dodge Challenger say goodbye. However, we wouldn’t hate it. That insane amount of power could destroy the Ford Ranger Raptor.
But we won’t count out the idea of pairing the Dodge Rampage with the 5.7-liter HEMI with 372 hp and 400 hp or the 6.2-liter HEMI with 485 hp and 75 lb-ft of torque.
Also, the Rampage is expected t have a unibody design instead of a traditional body-on-frame build. This could hurt its off-roading capabilities but would improve its handling and ride quality.
The Jeep Gladiator already serves as an off-roading option for Stellantis, so the Rampage could appeal to those looking for a more practical option that’s more comfortable.
But the Rampage could also replace the Ram 700. It’s a tiny subcompact truck in South America with an underwhelming amount of power. It could compete against the Ford Ranchero, which may not come to America either.
What about the Ram Dakota?
Ram Dakota rendering | FCA
The 2024 Ram Dakota could be the more likely option in America. The Ram Dakota is expected to share parts with the Jeep Gladiator while serving as more of a lifestyle option. It would look like a smaller version of the Ram 1500.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, it would be easy to use leftover Dodge Challenger parts to build a new Dodge Rampage model. It could feature less power diesel engines that don’t meet emission standards in the United States.
Mike Koval, CEO of Ram, shared that the mid-size truck market is the largest area for potential growth. However, Ram seems to be falling behind. As they build something to fight the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota is trying to create something to fight the Ford Maverick.
Stellantis has a lot of tricks up its sleeves, and we could see some new trucks and SUVs arrive by the end of the year. Stay tuned for more updates.
Keyword: Don’t Get Excited About the Ram Rampage Yet