Ram presents Dakota, a medium pickup based on the Titano; launch in 2026

With information from Fabio Trindade – After Fiat, it’s Ram’s turn to have a midsize pickup truck using the base developed in partnership with Changan Hunter. Called Dakota, it is one of the fruits of the US$385 million KP2 project that had already put the Fiat Titano into production in Argentina with several evolutions, including the most modern 2.2 turbodiesel engine.

Reviving the Dakota name, already used by Dodge in a pickup truck that was produced in Brazil, it should share a lot with the Fiat Titano, including this 2.2 turbodiesel engine with 200 hp and 45.9 kgfm, connected to the 8-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 traction system with reduced gear and automatic mode. On the outside, we notice several shared parts, but the front design has Ram’s DNA, very different from the Titano, as do the taillights and trunk lid.

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Source: Motor1.com

The launch begins in Argentina in December this year, arriving in Brazil at the beginning of 2026. Still a concept, it already shows us a lot of what to expect for the pickup, but we don’t know if its interior will be exclusive or something based on the new Changan Hunter architecture, with two screens and a more modern and current layout than the Titano.

Production will be in Argentina, at the Córdoba plant, where the current Fiat Titano was born. Within Stellantis, the Changan Hunter gave rise to the Peugeot Landtrek, Fiat Titano and, interestingly, in some markets it is sold as the Ram 1200, which is a rebadge, not a pickup truck with the most exclusive look, like the Ram Dakota now presented.

Although it was presented as a concept, the Dakota Nightfall Concept shows much of what will be present in the final production version. The style of the radiator grille, with the Ram name carved and written in the central part, as well as the LED optical assembly with an illuminated bar at the top, must remain.

Derived from the Fiat Titano, the concept is distinguished by its sporty hood with upper air intake illuminated with three points of orange light, bumper with front tow hook, electric winch and lower protector. The raised Fox® suspension and 33-inch all-terrain tires and 18″ beadlock alloy wheels are items that should not appear on the street version. Completing the look are the black side steps and fender moldings, the same color applied to the bumpers and rear view mirrors.

Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept – Brasil 2025

Photo from: Motor1.com

The unique style of the Dakota Nightfall Concept continues at the rear, where the visible and integral spare wheel stands out. It is fixed to an exclusive Rambar, which also adopts powerful long-range LED lights, another differentiator for the most different challenges in the field and off-road. LED taillights and the giant Ram emblem on the tailgate complete the look. No details of the pickup’s interior were revealed.

“There is no stronger name to represent Ram’s debut in such an important and competitive segment. Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and knowledge of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America”, said Juliano Machado, vice president of Ram in South America, during an event that revealed the concept of the new pickup truck in São Paulo.

Photo from: Motor1.com

Photo from: Motor1.com

Photo from: Motor1.com

Photo from: Motor1.com

Now known as Ram Dakota, the name was initially used by the Dodge March, also belonging to the same group. Launched in 1986, as a 1987 model, by the then Chrysler Corporation, the Dodge Dakota inaugurated the mid-size pickup truck segment in the United States. Positioned between the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S-10 models, and large full-size models, such as the Dodge Ram, it stood out for its exclusive chassis and versatile configurations, including an extended cab and engines that ranged from four cylinders to V8.

The first generation of the Dakota continued until 1996, giving way to a second phase, with more rounded lines, inspired by the Ram 1500, which marked the model’s arrival in Brazil. Produced in Campo Largo (PR) between 1998 and 2001, the national Dakota was offered with 2.5 gasoline, 2.5 turbodiesel and V6 3.9 Magnum engines, being the only medium pickup truck with a V8 option ever manufactured in the country.

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Source: Motor1 Argentina

The third generation, launched in 2005, adopted a more robust design and improved payload and towing capacity, offering 3.7 V6 and 4.7 V8 engines. Despite improvements, internal competition with the Ram 1500 and changes in the market led to the end of global production in 2011.

More than a decade later, Ram, now an independent division of Dodge, announced the return of the Dakota name for a new medium pickup truck produced in Argentina. The future Dakota will arrive to compete for space in the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S10 segment, promising to revive the relevance of one of the most notable names in the history of North American pickup trucks.