Manufactured in Brazil, the all-new Ram Rampage is a unibody truck based on the Small Wide 4x4 LWB platform. That means the compact pickup is joined at the hip to the Jeep Compass, which means that – in theory – it may be adapted for the US market rather easily.
Revealed with much pomp in June 2023 for the 2024 model year, the Rampage has been spied testing in the US. Pictured in Colorado with a manufacturer plate, the black-painted trucklet in the featured video is our best indication yet that Stellantis might challenge the Maverick and Santa Cruz with a compact pickup.
On the other hand, let's not get our hopes up. American automakers often test vehicles intended for overseas markets in the United States. A good example in this regard is the Ranger-based Everest, a three-row sport utility vehicle that's not available in the US.
There is a reason the Everest isn't sold in the US, that reason being the Explorer. We also have to remember that Ford has an Everest-like sport utility vehicle on sale in the United States in the form of the four-door Bronco, although it cannot seat more than five peeps.
Ram does need a compact in its home market, that's for certain, yet Ram also needs a midsizer to call its own. We've been hearing rumors in regard to a brand-new Dakota for one too many years now, yet nothing has transpired thus far. What's more, there's a lot more money to be made from a mid-size pickup.
Let's pretend the Rampage is due to arrive in dealer showrooms nationwide sometime next year. Importing it from Brazil isn't feasible because of the chicken tax, as in the 25% tariff levied on imported light trucks. There is, however, a solution in the form of USMCA.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement substitutes NAFTA, and under said agreement, Stellantis could make the Rampage for the United States and Canadian markets in Mexico. Why Mexico? The answer is Toluca Assembly Plant, where circa 2,500 people assemble the Jeep Compass for North America.
Given that many of the American automaker's bigwigs were present at the Rampage's debut, there is a possibility for the Rampage to find its way stateside. But alas, without a firm confirmation from the suits in Auburn Hills, all we can do – for now – is hope for the best.
Available to configure from 239,990 reais, which means a whopping $48,345 at current exchange rates, the Rampage comes with either a 2.0-liter turbo gasser or a 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Said powerplants are connected to a nine-speed automatic from ZF, which drives all four wheels. FWD isn't offered.
The R/T with the 2.0-liter turbo gasoline lump is the quickest of the bunch, hitting 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) in 6.9 seconds. Load capacity ranges between 750 kilos (1,653 pounds) for the gasser and 1,015 kilos (2,238 pounds) for the four-cylinder diesel engine. Towing capacity isn't known.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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