Photo: CarPix
Ram is working on an entirely new pickup that will expand their reach in the mid-size segment. Expected to be dubbed the 1200, either that or the Dakota as some reports claim, it’s been spied numerous times so far. But the latest scoops taken by our man with the cam south of the border are also the most revealing.
Actually you may want to make that ‘revealing’ when compared to the previously spied prototypes, because the camouflage is still thick, albeit some of the cladding is now gone. This allows us to take a better look at its overall proportions that will see it slot between the 1000 and 1500, judging by its alleged name anyway.
A quick look up front reveals that the headlights were never circular. Or maybe the provisional ones were. The main clusters have a very Jeep-ish thing to them, and they sit on each side of the rather large grille. From here on, it is the usual styling, with vertical taillights flanking the tailgate out back, and an open bed design that was otherwise closed on the pictured tester. The vehicle had a high ground clearance, five-spoke alloys, and double tailpipes that do not look like the final production ones to us. Still, we could be wrong about that, as the Stellantis-owned brand will try to keep the costs in check.
Remember that Jeep-ish reference made in the above paragraph? Well, it’s not the only one that you will see in this story, as rumor has it that the so-called Ram 1200 might actually be based on the Small Wide 4x4 LWB platform. If that sounds familiar, it is because this construction is the foundation stone of the Compass and Commander. Thus, you can expect it to feature the same engine lineup as the latter, more or less. This could include the 182-horsepower 1.3-liter Turbo Flex, perhaps joined by a turbodiesel with a 2.0-liter displacement and four cylinders, steaming out 168 horses.
Some believe that the four-wheel drive system will be standard across the range, but we wouldn’t hold our breath for that, as base models might have to make do with two-wheel drive instead. Again, we could be wrong about that as well, and until official confirmation arrives, the Ram 1200 will remain a well-preserved secret. The same goes for its alleged launch in the United States, with certain reports claiming that dealers on our side of the border might get to see a study later this year. As far as the unveiling goes, it might take place in the next few months, perhaps for the 2024 model year. A 2025MY introduction of the 1200 is definitely not off the table at this point either.
A quick look up front reveals that the headlights were never circular. Or maybe the provisional ones were. The main clusters have a very Jeep-ish thing to them, and they sit on each side of the rather large grille. From here on, it is the usual styling, with vertical taillights flanking the tailgate out back, and an open bed design that was otherwise closed on the pictured tester. The vehicle had a high ground clearance, five-spoke alloys, and double tailpipes that do not look like the final production ones to us. Still, we could be wrong about that, as the Stellantis-owned brand will try to keep the costs in check.
Remember that Jeep-ish reference made in the above paragraph? Well, it’s not the only one that you will see in this story, as rumor has it that the so-called Ram 1200 might actually be based on the Small Wide 4x4 LWB platform. If that sounds familiar, it is because this construction is the foundation stone of the Compass and Commander. Thus, you can expect it to feature the same engine lineup as the latter, more or less. This could include the 182-horsepower 1.3-liter Turbo Flex, perhaps joined by a turbodiesel with a 2.0-liter displacement and four cylinders, steaming out 168 horses.
Some believe that the four-wheel drive system will be standard across the range, but we wouldn’t hold our breath for that, as base models might have to make do with two-wheel drive instead. Again, we could be wrong about that as well, and until official confirmation arrives, the Ram 1200 will remain a well-preserved secret. The same goes for its alleged launch in the United States, with certain reports claiming that dealers on our side of the border might get to see a study later this year. As far as the unveiling goes, it might take place in the next few months, perhaps for the 2024 model year. A 2025MY introduction of the 1200 is definitely not off the table at this point either.
Google News