After showing the concept of a mid-size pickup truck derived from the Titano in Brazil, Ram spoke again about the model it is preparing exclusively for the North American markets. It is an unprecedented truck, with launch confirmed for 2027 and which will mark the brand’s return to the segment left open since the departure of Dakota in 2011.
Ram’s intention to return to this market is not new. At least two years ago, the vice president of the North American union UAW had already announced that the Stellantis factory in Belvidere, Illinois (USA), would be reopened to receive the production of a new pickup truck. However, only in January 2025 did official confirmation come.
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Source: Motor1 Argentina
New details were recently revealed by Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa during the Kepler Cheuvreux Fall Conference. The executive stated that he visited the brand’s design center in Detroit, where he saw sketches and also a mockup in clay in full size of the truck.
Without going into technical information, Filosa limited himself to commenting on his impressions. According to him, the pickup is “simply incredible, a beautiful pickup.” The short statement reinforces Stellantis’ enthusiasm for the project, which will be a key part in the brand’s resumption in this segment.
Toyota Strategy
What is already known is that Ram will follow a similar path to Toyota, which offers different pickup trucks depending on the market. In the United States, the Japanese company sells the Tacoma, larger and equipped than the Hilux and with options such as the 2.4 gasoline engine and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid version. In Brazil, Hilux remains focused on turbodiesel engines, in line with local preferences.
The expectation is that Ram’s new pickup truck will be built on a chassis, using a shortened version of the STLA Frame platform, already used in the 1500 Ramcharger and which would also be used in the electric 1500, canceled due to the low demand for large battery-powered pickup trucks. The base will give flexibility to offer combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and even fully electric versions.
Ram must use STLA Frame base already present in the electrified 1500
In complete configuration, the STLA Frame accommodates vehicles measuring 5.48 to 5.94 meters long and more than 2 meters wide, with wheelbases of up to 3.69 meters. Electric versions can deliver up to 805 kilometers of autonomy on a charge, or more than 1,100 kilometers when combined with a gasoline engine with a range extender.
The maximum towing and payload capacities — 6,350 kilograms and 1,225 kilograms — are unlikely to be repeated in a mid-size pickup truck. Still, Ram must adjust these numbers to align with the rates of direct rivals such as the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado.
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Engine1
Name may not be Dakota
The name of the new pickup truck is still unknown. Despite the obvious association with the Dakota, this emblem is already reserved for another project, destined for the South American market and scheduled for 2026. In the USA, the new model should adopt another name and, according to rumors, will only be sold in a four-door double cab configuration, the most popular in that market.
Price will also play a central role. To face its competitors, the new pickup truck should start at around US$30,000, positioning itself well below the extinct 1500 Classic, which was sold until 2024 for US$40,700.
Photo from: Motor1.com
Here, the pickup will be a luxury Titano
While Ram’s unprecedented mid-size pickup truck doesn’t arrive in the USA, the Brazilian division is working on its own product. Confirmed in August, the concept presented in the country anticipates the Dakota, based on the Fiat Titano, but with a more sophisticated look and proposal.
The model is the result of the US$385 million KP2 project, which has already put the Titano into production in Argentina. The Dakota will follow the same base, with a 200 hp 2.2 turbodiesel engine, 8-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 traction, but will offer a more refined finish, with large screens and higher quality materials.
Photo from: Motor1.com
On the outside, the concept maintains structural elements from the Titano, but with an exclusive front in the Ram standard, new lights and a redesigned trunk lid. The idea is to position the model closer to rivals such as the Chevrolet S10 and Ford Ranger, repeating the strategy already used in the Rampage in relation to Toro.
Produced in Córdoba, the Dakota will use the same architecture as the Changan Hunter, which also serves as the basis for the Peugeot Landtrek and, in some markets, for the Ram 1200. Even so, the new truck will have its own style, with an imposing grille, LED headlights and sporty steering wheel.
Although presented as a Nightfall concept, the pickup already advances several elements of the final version, which should be launched in early 2026. Some styling items, such as a front winch, 33-inch tires and raised suspension, are unlikely to be in the production model.
Source:
Kepler Cheuvreux Autumn Conference via The Mopar Junkie / YouTube
