It's been just a few days since Ram unveiled the Rampage in South America, and rendering artists have already designed all sorts of unofficial versions of the truck. We've seen EV and SUV variants, as well as a Peugeot 2008 with Rampage DNA. The latter makes sense now that Chrysler and PSA operate under the same roof. But here's a more exciting and doable idea: a truck version of the Jeep Compass.
Penned by YouTube's "Theottle" and also based on the Rampage, the Compass pickup makes even more sense than a Peugeot hauler. Because unlike the latter, the Compass shares the same "Small Wide 4x4 LWB" platform with the new compact truck. And it could very well share most of its internals and body panels with the Ram truck as a cost-cutting measure. Moreover, it would make a great rival for the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz in the United States.
As you may already know, the Ram Rampage was introduced in Brazil, and it's unclear whether it will be offered in the US in the future. It's the second small truck we're missing out on after the Chevrolet Montana. Granted, a pickup version of the Jeep Compass could also be restricted to emerging South American markets, but it's safe to say that Stellantis will eventually cave in and go after a piece of the Maverick's huge market share.
It remains to be seen if the corporation will assign this mission to Ram or Jeep, but the latter could definitely use a second pickup truck alongside the Wrangler-based Gladiator. But don't expect it to carry a "Compass" badge if it happens. Jeep will probably revive a pickup nameplate from the past, and we have three of them to consider.
The Jeepster is the oldest name that comes to mind. First used on a two-door phaeton from 1948 to 1950, the badge returned in 1966 for a convertible pickup aimed at the International Harvester Scout and Toyota Land Cruiser. The Jeepster Commando soldiered on until 1973.
Then we have the Scrambler, a longer-wheelbase pickup version of the CJ-7. Officially known as the CJ-8, it was produced from 1981 until 1986. The Scrambler wasn't particularly popular, moving only 27,792 units over six model years.
Finally, there's the Comanche, the Cherokee-based truck that arrived to replace the Scrambler in 1986. Manufactured through 1992, the Comanche was offered in both RWD and 4WD configurations and a selection of two cargo bed lengths. Sold in about 190,000 examples, the Comanche was Jeep's last production truck until the Gladiator's revival in 2019.
Should Jeep jump on the compact truck bandwagon, the pickup will surely share powerplants with the Rampage. As of this writing, the latter is available with two engines, starting with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel of the four-cylinder variety. Rated at 168 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque (170 PS and 380 Nm), the mill is shared with the Jeep Compass and Commander.
The other option is the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4, a turbocharged gas unit good for a more exciting 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of twist (272 PS and 400 Nm). Shared with the Jeep Wrangler, it enabled the Rampage to hit a top speed of 137 mph (220 kph). And needless to say, it would help the compact Jeep pickup give the range-topping version of the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz a run for their money.
But I'm just taking shots in the dark here because it may take a while until Jeep introduces a brand-new truck. But it would be cool to get a modern Comanche or Scrambler alongside the Gladiator, would it? Until that happens, check out the Rampage morphing into a Jeep truck in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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